Welcome
Canadian citizens
Canadian citizens do not need a visa for the Schengen area, which includes Germany, for an intended stay of up to 90 days in a 180 day period as long as
- their passports are valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended length of stay in the Schengen zone and
- they do not engage in any type of gainful employment
The German-Canadian Agreement on the Exemption of Visa Requirements, dated 17.04.1953
The German-Canadian Agreement on the Exemption of Visa Requirements, dated 17.04.1953, allows Canadian citizens to travel to Germany and to stay in Germany for up to 90 days without having to apply for a visa, as long as their passport is valid for the entire duration of the stay and as long as they do not engage in any kind of employment in Germany.
According to this agreement the duration of one stay in Germany must not exceed 90 days but the number of entries to Germany is not limited. In order to re-enter Germany for another 90 days visitors have to depart Germany for any other country outside the Schengen States (e.g. the UK, Türkiye) and can come back even the same day.
Since visitors need to be able to document the period of time they have been spending in Germany we recommend to enter and to depart via a German airport in order to obtain an official entry and departure stamp in their passport.
Germany is part of the Schengen States, so your first 90 days count – no matter where in the Schengen Area you spent them. You have to leave the Schengen States after 90 days and then you can go back only to Germany for the next 90 days. If you want to visit other Schengen States during this time you have to check if these states also have a bilateral agreement with Canada.
This means:
You can spend your first 90 days anywhere in the Schengen States and enter and leave the different states as often as you like.
On day 90 the latest you have to leave the Schengen States (you could go to the UK for example).
You have to make sure that you have the stamps from the border police in your passport to be able to proof that you have left the Schengen Area.
Afterwards you are allowed to go back to Germany for the 90 days, but only to Germany.
If you want to visit other Schengen States please check before travelling if these States have also a bilateral agreement with Canada.