United States visa for German citizens
eTA (travel authorization)
🇩🇪 German passport → 🇺🇸 United States: no visa, but an eta (online authorisation) is required.
How it works
Register online before you fly (minutes, small fee). It links to your passport electronically — airlines check it at check-in, so don't leave it to the airport.
Heads-up: United States commonly asks for proof of onward travel (airline check-in (Visa Waiver / ESTA)).
Before the airport: run the "Will I board?" checklist for this route →
Beyond United States: the Germany passport
The 🇩🇪 Germany passport ranks #4 of 199 worldwide, entering 165 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (see the world ranking).
Also visa-free on the Germany passport: 🇲🇽 Mexico (180 days), 🇧🇷 Brazil (90 days), 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda (180 days) — all 165 open destinations.
Going the other way? American citizens visiting Germany need no visa — visa-free for up to 90 days.
Never get caught out
Visa rules change with little notice. Get one email when United States changes its entry rules for German passports.
Capital Washington D.C. · Currency United States dollar ($) · Dialling +1
Before you travel
Sorting your United States trip on the Germany passport:
See the whole picture
Every destination for the Germany passport, and everyone who can enter United States.
German passport: all destinations Who can enter United States Plan the trip