Germany travel guide for Australians

Australians can enter Germany without a visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. From 2026, you must apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation online before flying; it costs €7 and is valid for three years or until your passport expires. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area.

Germany is part of the Schengen Area, so the 90-day rule applies across all Schengen countries combined. If you have already spent time in France, Italy or Spain earlier in the same 180-day window, that counts toward your German allowance. Overstaying can lead to fines and a re-entry ban.

From 2026, visa-free travellers including Australians must hold an ETIAS authorisation. Apply online, pay €7, and you will usually get a decision within minutes to a few days. It is linked to your passport number, so renew your passport before applying. ETIAS is not a visa; it does not guarantee entry, which border officers decide on arrival.

Carry proof of onward travel, accommodation and sufficient funds for your stay, as border officers can ask. For longer stays, work, study or family visits, you need a national visa from the German embassy in Australia.

The Australian Embassy in Berlin is the main point of contact for passport services, notarial acts and emergency assistance. Consulates in Frankfurt and Munich handle limited services; check which one covers your region before visiting. For lost passports or emergencies, call the embassy's 24-hour consular line.

Register your travel with Smartraveller before departure so the embassy can contact you in a crisis. The embassy cannot pay fines, provide legal advice or get you out of jail, but it can issue emergency passports and contact family.

A mid-range trip to Germany costs roughly A$180–280 per person per day, covering a double room in a mid-range hotel, meals, local transport and one attraction. Budget travellers can get by on A$100–150 a day with hostels, supermarket food and free walking tours. Luxury stays and fine dining push the daily figure above A$400.

Flights from Sydney or Melbourne to Frankfurt or Munich cost about A$1,200–2,000 return in economy, depending on season and how early you book. Within Germany, a high-speed ICE train from Frankfurt to Berlin takes about 4 hours and costs A$60–120 if booked in advance.

Direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Frankfurt or Munich take about 20–24 hours, including a stop in Singapore, Dubai or Doha. From Perth, the flight is shorter, around 18–20 hours with one stop. Airlines such as Qantas, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and Emirates operate routes; compare prices across carriers and book 2–3 months ahead for the best fares.

Time difference: Germany is 8–10 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time, depending on daylight saving. Jet lag is manageable with a night flight and a day of light activity on arrival.

Germany uses 230 V, 50 Hz electricity with plug types C and F. Australian devices with flat pins need an adapter; most phone and laptop chargers handle 230 V, but check the label. If your device is 110 V only, you need a voltage converter. Buy adapters in Australia or at the airport; they are cheap and widely available.

Tipping is common but modest. Round up the bill or add 5–10% for good service, and say the total amount to the server as you pay, for example 'that's 20 euros'. In bars, rounding to the nearest euro is fine. Tips are not expected for takeaway or self-service, and service charge is usually included in the menu price.

In an emergency, dial 112 for fire and ambulance, 110 for police, and 116 117 for the out-of-hours doctor. Operators speak English. Germany is generally safe for travellers; watch for pickpockets in crowded tourist areas and on public transport, and keep your passport and valuables in a hotel safe.

For medical care, carry your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you have one, though as an Australian you will need travel insurance. Pharmacies (Apotheke) are well stocked and open during business hours; find the nearest one on duty via the sign in the window.

Do Australians need a visa for Germany? No, for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. From 2026, you need an ETIAS authorisation before flying.

How much does a trip to Germany cost in AUD? Plan for A$180–280 per day for mid-range travel, plus flights of A$1,200–2,000 return.

Where is the nearest Australia embassy in Germany? The Australian Embassy is in Berlin; consulates in Frankfurt and Munich offer limited services.

This page is based on official travel advice from the Australian Government (Smartraveller) and the German Federal Foreign Office, plus the parent country facts on Voykit. Check these sources before you travel, as rules can change.