South Korea ETA for German Citizens

Visitors from Germany are now able to get their K-ETA online for visa-free entry.
The K-ETA is mandatory for all eligible visa-exempt travelers, including EU nationals.

German citizens can apply for a new electronic travel authorization for South Korea. The K-ETA is now mandatory to travel without a South Korea visa from Germany.

This page contains information about the new South Korea K-ETA and how to apply from Germany online.

Do Germans Need a Visa for Korea?

German citizens who are traveling to Korea for tourism or business do not need a visa for South Korea. The maximum visa-free stay is 3 months.

To enjoy this exemption from visa requirements, German passport holders must apply for a Korea ETA. The K-ETA became mandatory for visa-free travel on September 1, 2021.

Germans must complete an electronic form and will receive the approved K-ETA for South Korea by email.

A visa is required to travel to South Korea from Germany for more than 90 days or activities not covered by the K-ETA.

South Korea Visa Requirements for Germans

South Korean visa requirements for German passport holders depend on specific travel plans.

Germans can apply for a K-ETA instead of a visa to travel to South Korea for:

• Up to 90 days
• Tourism, visiting family, events and meetings, business

Germans simply need to complete the K-ETA application form with passport data and basic personal details. Visitors must also meet the safety and security standards.

Travelers who wish to remain in the country for more than 90 days need to get a South Korea visa from Germany. The South Korea visa requirements for Germans include presenting supporting documents such as a work contract or letter of invitation.

Documents Required by Germans Traveling to South Korea

Germans need the following to apply for a K-ETA:

• Valid German passport
• Recent passport-style photograph
• Debit or credit card

German applicants must have an email address. Notifications and the approved ETA are sent by email.

Germans who need a South Korea visa must provide several additional documents. Different South Korea visas for Germans are available depending on the purpose of visit, for example to work or study. Visa applicants must check the specific paperwork requirements.

How to Get the K-ETA from Germany

Germans who meet the K-ETA requirements can obtain their South Korean visa waiver in 3 steps:

1. Fill out the online K-ETA application form

2. Pay the ETA fee and submit the request

3. Receive the approved travel authorization by email

K-ETA processing is fast. Most German applicants will receive the approved visa waiver in 24-48 hours.

German travelers who need a K-ETA quickly can use the priority service to receive the document in 1 hour.

South Korea ETA Application for Germans

The online visa waiver application for German visitors is easy and straightforward. It is 100% online and takes just a few minutes to complete.

Germans must fill out the form with information including:

• First and last names
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Contact details
• Passport number
• Passport issue date
• Passport expiry date

There are also a few questions related to health and security.

Travel to South Korea from Germany

Tourists can use the electronic travel authorization to travel to South Korea from several German cities.

There are direct flights to Seoul, the South Korean capital, from:

• Munich International Airport (MUC)
• Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

A non-stop flight from Germany to South Korea takes just over 10 hours.

Flights with one or more stops depart from Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich to other top Korean destinations such as Busan and Daegu. Travelers must enter the country with the same passport that was used to apply for the K-ETA.

Is There a Visa from Germany to Jeju Island?

Nicknamed the Hawaii of South Korea, the island of Jeju is a popular destination for German tourists.

German nationals can visit Jeju Island during their stay in South Korea without a visa. However, a K-ETA is required to travel to the country.

To visit for longer than 90 days, German passport holders must apply for a South Korean visa.

South Korean Embassy in Germany

Germans do not need to go to the South Korea Embassy to request an ETA. The application process is 100% online.

Germans who require a South Korean visa should contact the diplomatic mission. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Germany is at the following address: