Venezuela entry requirements for Germany passport holders

Verified May 13, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

German passport holders can enter Venezuela without a visa for tourism or business stays up to 90 days. As of 2026, you just need a valid passport and proof of onward travel. No visa application, no embassy visit — just show up at the airport.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay
Your passport needs to be valid for your entire stay in Venezuela. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires before you leave Venezuela, you will be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Venezuela
Immigration officers at Maiquetía Airport ask for a return or onward ticket before they stamp you in. Have a printed copy or a digital version on your phone ready — they check this consistently.Recommended
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Have a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host ready. Officers occasionally ask for it, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself
Carry cash (USD or EUR are easiest to exchange) or have a bank statement showing you have enough for your stay. There is no fixed minimum, but around $50–$100 per day is a safe benchmark.Recommended
Stay duration is strict
The 90-day visa-free period cannot be extended. Overstaying even by a day can result in fines and a ban on re-entry. Set a reminder to leave before your stamp expires.
Cash is king
Venezuela is largely a cash economy. Bring enough US dollars in small denominations (new bills only) to cover your entire stay. ATMs are unreliable and credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at Venezuelan immigration
At Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas or any other port of entry, follow signs to 'Migración' (Immigration). Join the queue for foreign passports.
2
Present your documents
Hand over your passport and any supporting documents (return ticket, hotel booking) if asked. The officer will check your passport validity and stamp you in.
3
Receive entry stamp
The officer stamps your passport with the entry date and the allowed stay (usually 90 days). Check the stamp before leaving the counter — if the date is wrong, ask for a correction immediately.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, proceed to baggage claim, then customs. There's usually no customs declaration form for personal items.
Download Venezuela Entry Checklist
PDF · Germany Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 13, 2026
Download PDF

Overstay calculator

Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, not extendable
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~$30 USD (equivalent in local currency)

For those who prefer a visa in advance; not necessary for visa-free entry.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry, not extendable
Validity1 year
Cost~$60 USD (equivalent in local currency)

Allows multiple entries within validity; useful for frequent travellers.

Long-stay visa (business or work)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost~$200 USD (equivalent in local currency)

Requires employer sponsorship and approval from Venezuelan authorities.

work visa
Work Visa (Visa de Trabajo)
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD (equivalent in local currency)
For those with a job offer from a Venezuelan company. Requires employer sponsorship and approval from SAIME. Allows legal work and residence.
student visa
Student Visa (Visa de Estudiante)
1 year, renewable based on course duration
~$100 USD (equivalent in local currency)
For those enrolled in a recognized educational institution in Venezuela. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
investor visa
Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista)
1 year, renewable
~$500 USD (equivalent in local currency)
For individuals investing a minimum amount (often $50,000 USD or equivalent) in a Venezuelan business or real estate. Requires proof of investment.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Visa-free entry covers up to 90 days; no tourist visa required.Not applicable
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Visa-free entry covers up to 90 days; no tourist visa required.Not applicable
Stay extension costVisa-free stay is not extendable; must leave after 90 days.Not applicable
Overstay fine per dayOverstay penalties are not clearly published; avoid overstaying to prevent fines or bans.Unknown

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Venezuela

No transit visa needed

German passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Venezuelan airports, provided they do not pass through immigration and stay within the international transit area.

Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsSimón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) – Caracas · Arturo Michelena International Airport (VLN) – Valencia · La Chinita International Airport (MAR) – Maracaibo

Health & vaccines for Venezuela

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission; certificate may be requested.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderYellow FeverEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, influenza)Essential
Health risks
DengueHigh risk

Mosquito-borne disease prevalent in urban and rural areas; use insect repellent and mosquito nets.

MalariaModerate risk

Risk in some rural areas, especially Amazonas and Bolívar states; consider prophylaxis.

ChikungunyaModerate risk

Mosquito-borne virus causing fever and joint pain; no specific treatment.

Malaria risk: moderate

Risk exists in rural areas of Amazonas, Bolívar, and Delta Amacuro states; prophylaxis recommended for those visiting these regions.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Caracas
SAIME (Servicio Administrativo de Identificación, Migración y Extranjería) Main Office
Av. Baralt, Esq. de Camejo, Edif. SAIME, Caracas
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00

Handles visa extensions and immigration procedures; appointments may be required.

Maracaibo
SAIME Regional Office Zulia
Av. 5 de Julio, Edif. SAIME, Maracaibo
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00

For travellers in western Venezuela; limited services compared to Caracas.

Practical information for DE travellers

Country basics
CapitalCaracas
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyVenezuelan bolívar (VES)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0 VES
updated May 13
Time zone
Local timeUTC-4
vs New York+1h
vs Los Angeles+4h
Electricity
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BTypes A and B: two flat pins (ungrounded) and two flat pins with round grounding pin.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police911
Medical911
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No. The visa-free entry is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you must leave Venezuela and re-enter, or apply for a visa at a Venezuelan consulate before your trip.
Not required for German passport holders arriving directly from Germany. However, if you've recently visited a country with yellow fever, you may need proof of vaccination. Check with the Venezuelan consulate before travel.
You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from entry. If it expires during your stay, you'll need to contact the German embassy in Caracas for an emergency passport. Overstaying can result in fines or deportation.
Yes, a temporary German passport (Reisepass) is accepted for visa-free entry, as long as it's valid for 6 months from your entry date.
Yes, there is an airport departure tax when leaving Venezuela. It's usually included in your airline ticket, but check with your airline. If not, you'll need to pay in cash (USD or local currency) at the airport.
The local currency is the Venezuelan bolívar (VES). However, US dollars are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas. Bring crisp, new USD bills — old or damaged notes may be refused. Credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels.
Not required, but it's a good idea to register in the German Foreign Office's crisis prevention list (Elefand) so the embassy can contact you in an emergency.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 13, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.