Nuremberg Entry Requirements

Nuremberg Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Nuremberg welcomes arrivals through Nuremberg Airport (NUE), the U-Bahn-linked main rail station, and the A3/A9 autobahns. Federal Police manage entry at the airport; Bundespolizei officers patrol trains and highways. Standard Schengen rules apply: passport or EU national ID check, possible questions about purpose and length of stay, and a customs channel when you leave baggage claim or the platform. Keep your documents ready before boarding any onward connection to Nuremberg city center. Inspectors sometimes run spot checks on regional trains.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Visa-Free Entry
90 days within any 180-day Schengen period

Citizens of EU/EEA countries, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel, and most Latin American countries may enter without a visa for tourism, family visits, or business meetings.

Includes
USA UK Canada Australia Japan South Korea EU member states Norway Iceland Liechtenstein Switzerland New Zealand Singapore Israel Chile Argentina Brazil Mexico

Entry is granted at the discretion of border police. Proof of onward ticket and accommodation (e.g., confirmation of Nuremberg hotels) is commonly requested.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETIAS)
90 days per entry, multiple entries allowed within three-year validity

From mid-2025, visa-exempt travelers will need to obtain ETIAS approval before boarding flights, trains, or buses bound for Nuremberg.

Includes
Same visa-exempt list above
How to Apply: Online application via europa.eu/etias; usually approved within minutes but can take up to 96 hours.
Cost: Approximate fee: €7 for travelers aged 18, 70, free for minors and seniors.

ETIAS is not a visa. It is pre-travel authorization tied to your passport.

Visa Required
90 days within any 180-day period

Travelers holding passports from countries not on the visa-exempt list must obtain a Schengen short-stay visa in advance.

How to Apply: Apply at the nearest German embassy or consulate. Appointments in high-demand regions should be booked 4, 6 weeks before travel.

Visa holders are normally asked to show hotel reservation or letter of invitation, travel medical insurance, and proof of funds upon arrival in Nuremberg.

Arrival Process

Nuremberg's compact airport has one arrivals hall. The main rail station (Hauptbahnhof Nürnberg) has a dedicated passport control area beneath the tracks. Expect a queue of 5, 20 minutes during peak times.

1
Passport Control
Present your passport or EU ID to the Federal Police officer. Third-country nationals may receive an entry stamp.
2
Baggage Claim
Collect checked luggage in the single carousel zone. Follow the green 'Nothing to Declare' or red 'Goods to Declare' signs.
3
Customs Channel
Exit through the appropriate channel. Spot checks using X-ray scanners are common on late-evening flights.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport (or EU national ID)
Must be valid for at least three months beyond planned departure from the Schengen Area.
ETIAS or Schengen visa
Printed or mobile confirmation if required.
Proof of accommodation
Hotel reservation, Airbnb confirmation, or invitation letter for stays in Nuremberg.
Travel medical insurance
Minimum €30,000 coverage valid across Schengen countries.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Have your hotel booking confirmation (where to stay in Nuremberg) open on your phone for quick display.
Proceed directly from baggage claim to the U-Bahn U2 line for a 12-minute ride into central Nuremberg. Tickets can be purchased on the DB app or at machines inside the arrivals hall.

Customs & Duty-Free

Germany applies EU-wide customs rules. Arrivals from outside the EU must use the red channel if carrying goods above duty-free limits.

Alcohol
1 litre of spirits over 22 % ABV or 2 litres under 22 % ABV, plus 4 litres non-sparkling wine and 16 litres beer.
Travelers under 17 receive no allowance for alcohol or tobacco.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g loose tobacco.
Splitting product categories is not allowed.
Currency
Declaration required if carrying €10,000 or more (or equivalent) in cash, traveller's cheques, or bearer bonds.
Form ZM is available at customs desks in Nuremberg Airport and the rail station.
Gifts/Goods
Total value €430 for air travellers, €300 for land or sea arrivals.
Commercial goods or items exceeding these values must be declared.

Prohibited Items

  • Counterfeit goods, subject to confiscation and fines
  • Meat and dairy products from outside the EU, risk of animal disease

Restricted Items

  • Medications containing narcotics, carry physician's letter plus prescription in German translation

Health Requirements

Germany does not require COVID-19 tests or vaccination certificates for entry. Routine vaccinations remain recommended.

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Standard childhood immunizations (MMR, DTP)
  • Hepatitis A for certain long-stay travellers
  • Seasonal influenza

Health Insurance

Travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 is mandatory for visa nationals and strongly advised for all others; German hospitals will ask for payment guarantees without proof of coverage.

Current Health Requirements: Check the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) website for any sudden health measures before departure.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Check your government's travel advisory website
Immigration Authority
Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt), germany-visa.org for official visa guidance
For visa applications and official information
Emergency
Emergency services number
Dial 112 for police, ambulance, fire

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

EU minors need passport or EU ID. Non-EU minors must have their own passport plus parental consent letter if traveling alone or with one parent. Letter should include contact details and be translated into German or English. Border police in Nuremberg may request birth certificates.

Traveling with Pets

Dogs, cats, and ferrets require microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days prior, and EU pet passport or EU animal health certificate. Entry is via an approved Travellers' Point of Entry; Nuremberg Airport has a vet on call for inspections.

Extended Stays

Tourists wishing to stay beyond 90 days must apply for a national residence permit at the Nürnberg Ausländerbehörde (Königstorgraben 7) before the 90th day. Common grounds include employment, study, or family reunification.