Germany Visa Guide 2026: Schengen C or National D
The first question for Germany is which visa you need, and it turns on one number: 90 days. For a stay of up to 90 days you apply for a Schengen visa (short-term, or C visa); to stay more than 90 days you apply for a National visa (long-term, or D visa). Verified against the German Federal Foreign Office visa services pages, October 2026.
The two tracks
| Up to 90 days | Schengen visa — a short-term visa, also called a “C visa” |
| More than 90 days | National visa — a long-term visa, also called a “D visa” |
| National visa validity | Usually 90 days up to a year; then a residence permit after arrival |
| Airport transit | Lifted for Indian nationals (notice dated 2 June 2026) |
| Priority appointments | Two categories for urgent business travellers and trade fair exhibitors |
The official pages state the split verbatim:
If you wish to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, please apply for a German National visa. National visa are sometimes also referred to as 'long-term visa' or 'D visa'. … If you wish to stay in Germany for up to 90 days, please apply for a Schengen visa. Schengen visas are sometimes also referred to as “short-term visas” or “C visas”.
What a National visa (D) is
The National visa is the entry visa for a long-term stay of more than 90 days for a specific purpose of stay provided by German law. It is usually issued with a validity from 90 days up to a year, and depending on your purpose and length of stay you then apply for a residence permit at the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) of your place of residence in Germany. Most National visas can be applied for online through the Consular Service Portal, which guides you through the application and document upload and then links you to book an on-site appointment; a few types still use a paper application.
Schengen visa (C) notes
For a Schengen visa, processing time begins only once the application reaches the Consulate — delivery can take up to about 6 working days depending on conditions and public holidays, and processing can average around 15 days. If your travel date is imminent, check whether you can postpone. In general neither the mission nor the service provider can expedite the process, and requests for preferential treatment cannot be honoured.
Fees for the National visa are €75 for applicants over 18 and €37.50 for those under 18, payable in local currency at the day's rate, plus the external service provider's fee. A file that uses an agent is not necessary — all forms and information are free of charge, and false information or documents lead to refusal and a possible entry ban.
Recent changes in 2026
Indian nationals no longer require an airport transit visa for a layover at a German airport when travelling to another country (notice dated 2 June 2026). The mission also offers two priority appointment categories for urgent business travellers and trade fair exhibitors.
See the Germany visa documents checklist, the Germany EU Blue Card guide for the work route, and the Schengen visa photo rules; confirm a compliant photo with the free passport photo checker.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Schengen or a National visa for Germany?
It depends on the length of stay. For up to 90 days you apply for a Schengen visa (also called a short-term visa, or C visa). To stay more than 90 days you apply for a National visa, also called a long-term visa or D visa.
What is a German National visa (D)?
It is the entry visa for a long-term stay of more than 90 days for a specific purpose of stay provided by German law. It is usually issued with a validity from 90 days up to a year, and after arrival you apply for a residence permit at the foreigners authority of your place of residence.
Do Indian nationals still need an airport transit visa?
No. Indian nationals no longer require a transit visa when travelling to another country with a layover at a German airport — the airport transit visa requirement has been lifted (notice dated 2 June 2026).
Are there faster appointments for business travellers?
Yes. The mission offers two special appointment categories for urgent business travellers and trade fair exhibitors.
How is a German visa applied for?
Many National visas are applied for online through the Consular Service Portal; the portal guides you through the application and document upload and then gives you a link to book an on-site appointment. Some visa types still require a paper application.
How long does a Schengen visa take?
Processing starts only once the application reaches the Consulate, which can take up to about 6 working days for delivery; processing can average around 15 days. If your travel is within about two weeks, plan ahead — requests for preferential treatment cannot normally be honoured.
Germany visa documents → EU Blue Card guide →
Browse all passport and visa guides or the photo size chart.
Source note: the 90-day split (up to 90 days → Schengen/“C visa”; more than 90 days → National/“D visa”), the National-visa definition (entry visa for a long-term stay of more than 90 days, valid 90 days to a year, residence permit after arrival), the Consular Service Portal online route, the Schengen processing notes (up to about 6 working days for delivery, average around 15 days, no expedition), the €75 / €37.50 fee and the free-forms/no-agent note, the lifting of the airport transit visa for Indian nationals (2 June 2026) and the two priority appointment categories (urgent business travellers and trade fair exhibitors) are from the German Federal Foreign Office visa services pages (india.diplo.de), checked October 2026.