The Germany passport remains among the world’s most powerful, consistently achieving high positions in global passport rankings. As of August 2024, German citizens can travel visa free or with visa-on-arrival to 192 countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Singapore. This impressive ranking highlights Germany’s robust international relations and the extensive travel freedoms its citizens enjoy. This ease of travel has significantly boosted outbound tourism among German passport holders.

Germany’s outbound tourism saw a remarkable 9.5% CAGR from 2019 to 2023, reaching a net worth of US$ 104,890.7 million in 2023.

As Europe’s largest outbound travel market, Germany had 99.5 million overnight trips by its nationals in 2019. The market is expected to continue growing over the next decade. Valued at US$95.3 billion in 2022, Germany’s outbound tourism market is projected to soar to US$241.4 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. Germans’ strong passion for travel positions Germany as one of the first European outbound tourism markets likely to fully recover from the pandemic.

Visa-Free Destinations

German passport holders can travel to numerous countries without the need for a visa. This convenience significantly enhances travel flexibility and reduces the administrative burden on travelers. Here are some of the prominent visa-free destinations:

Visa Free Countries:

• Albania
• Andorra
• Angola
• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Aruba
• Austria
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Bolivia
• Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Botswana
• Brazil
• British Virgin Islands
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Cape Verde Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Cook Islands
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Curacao
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Estonia
• eSwatini
• Falkland Islands
• Faroe Islands
• Fiji
• Finland
• France
• French Guiana
• French Polynesia
• French West Indies
• Georgia
• Gibraltar
• Greece
• Greenland
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Hong Kong (SAR China)
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Iraq
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Kiribati
• Kosovo
• Kyrgyzstan
• Latvia
• Lesotho
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macao (SAR China)
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritius
• Mayotte
• Mexico
• Micronesia
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Montserrat
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Nepal
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• Nicaragua
• Niue
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Oman
• Palau Islands
• Palestinian Territory
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Reunion
• Romania
• Samoa
• San Marino
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Senegal
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Spain
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Maarten
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Suriname
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania
• Thailand
• The Gambia
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tunisia
• Türkiye
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Tuvalu
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu
• Vatican City
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Zambia

Visa on Arrival (VOA)

• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Comoro Islands
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Guinea-Bissau
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Maldives
• Mauritania
• Myanmar
• Qatar
• Rwanda
• Saudi Arabia
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• St. Helena
• Zimbabwe

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

• American Samoa
• Australia
• Canada
• Guam
• Kenya
• New Zealand
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Pakistan
• Puerto Rico
• Sri Lanka
• United States
• US Virgin Islands

Popular International Destinations for German Tourists

German tourists have a broad range of popular international destinations. Some of the most visited cities by Germans include:

• Paris, France: The city of light and romance is a top choice.
• London, United Kingdom: A major cultural and historical hub.
• New York City, USA: Known for its vibrant city life and landmarks.
• Rome, Italy: Offers rich historical sites and architecture.
• Bangkok, Thailand: A gateway to Southeast Asia with bustling markets and temples.

When it comes to countries, Germans frequently travel to:

• Spain: The beaches, festivals, and weather are major draws.
• Italy: Its history, food, and landscapes are perennial favorites.
• France: Attracts with its culture, food, and fashion.
• United States: Offers a wide range of experiences from natural parks to cities.
• Turkey: Known for its unique geographic and cultural position.

Germany’s Airports

• Frankfurt Airport (FRA): Frankfurt Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Germany, serving as a major international hub. It is located in the city of Frankfurt, which is a central point in Europe, making it a key transit point for international travelers. The airport offers a wide range of services, including extensive shopping and dining options, business facilities, and efficient public transportation connections.
• Munich Airport (MUC): Munich Airport, located northeast of Munich, is known for its efficiency and high-quality services. It has been consistently ranked among the best airports in Europe. The airport features a wide array of amenities, including a visitor’s park, extensive dining and shopping options, and excellent connectivity to the city center via train services.
• Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER): Berlin Brandenburg Airport is the newest major airport in Germany, serving the capital region. Opened in 2020, it replaced the older Tegel and Schönefeld airports. BER is designed to handle a large volume of passengers with modern facilities and efficient operations. It connects Berlin with numerous international destinations and is a key gateway for tourists and business travelers alikes.
• Düsseldorf Airport (DUS): Düsseldorf Airport is a significant hub for international flights in Germany, particularly for destinations in Europe and Asia. Located in the Rhineland, it serves a densely populated and economically important region. The airport offers a variety of services, including multiple lounges, extensive retail and dining options, and excellent public transportation links.
• Hamburg Airport (HAM): Hamburg Airport serves northern Germany and is one of the oldest airports in the country. It offers a mix of international and domestic flights and is known for its efficiency and customer service. The airport features numerous shops, restaurants, and business facilities, making it a convenient option for travelers.

Top Airlines in Germany

• Lufthansa: Lufthansa is Germany’s largest airline and one of the leading carriers in the world. It offers extensive global coverage with flights to numerous destinations across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Lufthansa is known for its high-quality service, modern fleet, and membership in the Star Alliance network, providing passengers with a wide range of connectivity options.
• Eurowings: Eurowings, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, focuses on budget travel, offering affordable flights primarily within Europe. It also operates some long-haul routes, providing passengers with cost-effective options for both leisure and business travel. Eurowings is popular for its competitive pricing and flexible service options.
• Condor: Condor specializes in long-haul leisure flights, connecting Germany with popular vacation destinations worldwide. The airline is known for its excellent service and comfortable flight experience. Condor offers a variety of travel classes to cater to different passenger needs, making it a preferred choice for holidaymakers.
• TUIfly: TUIfly operates charter flights primarily to vacation destinations around the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, and Egypt. As part of the TUI Group, the airline focuses on providing convenient and affordable travel options for tourists. TUIfly is known for its reliability and good customer service.
• Germania: Germania, a smaller German airline, provides both scheduled and charter flights across Europe and beyond. It is known for its friendly service and competitive pricing. Germania operates a modern fleet and offers flights to several lesser-known destinations, making it a unique choice for travelers.

The high ranking of the German passport in the Henley Passport Index reflects the extensive travel freedom available to German citizens. With a wide array of visa-free, ETA, eVisa, and visa-on-arrival options, German travelers have unparalleled access to global destinations. Coupled with robust airport infrastructure and leading airlines, Germany continues to be a significant player in international tourism. This connectivity not only facilitates leisure travel but also strengthens business and cultural exchanges worldwide, solidifying Germany’s position in global mobility.