Those not eligible to apply for the ETIAS for Germany, or who wish to travel for purposes other than those permitted with ETIAS, are required to apply for a German Schengen visa. Unlike the online ETIAS visa waiver, a Schengen visa for Germany must be applied for at a German diplomatic mission in the applicant’s home country.
An approved Schengen visa for Germany can be granted for varying lengths of permitted stay, depending on the individual’s travel purpose and the issuing embassy. However, the most common type of Schengen visa permits the holder to spend a maximum of 90 days with each entry to Germany, within every 180-day period.
Those traveling with either the ETIAS or a Schengen visa should try to avoid overstaying a visa in Germany.
Travelers should ensure they leave Germany before the allowed stay comes to an end. If the visa or ETIAS expires, the traveler should obtain a visa extension/visa waiver renewal before they return to the Schengen Zone.
All foreign travelers who overstay in the Schengen Area are subject to penalties according to the individual state.
Those in Germany with an overstayed visa may face penalties such as a small fine for staying 1 or 2 extra days. Extreme cases of Germany visa overstay, for lengthy periods of time, may result in additional penalties such as a larger fine, deportation, or a temporary travel ban from re-entering the Schengen Area.
Those with an expired ETIAS who wish to continue to travel to Germany are required to submit a new ETIAS visa waiver application and receive approval in order to return to the Schengen Area. If the traveler’s passport expires, it is also necessary to apply for a new ETIAS for Germany, as the visa is linked to an individual travel document.