German citizens must obtain a visa before entering Tanzania, but the entire process is online. Apply at eservices.immigration.go.tz, pay USD 50 for a single-entry tourist visa, and receive your approved e-Visa by email within 3–10 business days. No visit to the Tanzanian embassy in Berlin is required.
Do German Citizens Need a Visa for Tanzania?
Yes, German passport holders require a visa to enter Tanzania. Germany is not among the small group of visa-exempt nationalities. However, Tanzania offers a convenient e-Visa system — you apply online from Germany, pay by card, and receive the approval digitally. There is no need to mail your passport to any embassy.
German citizens are also eligible for a visa on arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ). The e-Visa is strongly recommended because it guarantees entry and avoids long queues at the immigration counter.
EU citizenship does not grant visa-free access to Tanzania — each EU member state is treated individually, and Germany is subject to the standard e-Visa requirement.
Tanzania e-Visa Requirements for German Citizens
- Valid German passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your intended entry date, at least 1 blank visa page)
- Recent digital passport photo (white background, JPEG, minimum 200×200 px)
- Confirmed return or onward flight ticket
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, safari lodge confirmation, or invitation letter from a Tanzanian host)
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement; USD 500 equivalent is a common benchmark)
- Travel itinerary covering your stay
No biometric data or in-person interview is required for German applicants.
Tanzania e-Visa Cost for German Citizens
| Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Tourist Single Entry | USD 50 |
| Tourist Multiple Entry | USD 100 |
| Business Single Entry | USD 50 |
| Transit Visa | USD 30 |
Fees are payable online by Visa or Mastercard. All fees are non-refundable. Some third-party agencies charge additional service fees (up to EUR 30–40 extra) — always verify you are on the official portal at eservices.immigration.go.tz.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Go to eservices.immigration.go.tz and create a free account
- Select "Apply for e-Visa" and choose the visa type (Tourist Single Entry for most travelers)
- Enter your German passport details exactly as printed
- Upload your passport photo and a scanned copy of your passport bio page
- Attach your flight itinerary and accommodation proof
- Pay USD 50 by international credit or debit card
- Note your application reference number
- Wait for the approval email (typically 3–10 business days)
- Download and print the approval letter — present it at the immigration counter on arrival
Processing Time
Standard processing: 3–10 business days
The official Tanzania Immigration website and third-party sources cite processing of up to 15 days in some cases. Apply at least 2 weeks before departure. There is no guaranteed express lane through the official portal, though some periods see faster turnaround.
The e-Visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. A single-entry visa permits a stay of up to 90 days.
Tanzania e-Visa vs Visa on Arrival for German Citizens
| Factor | e-Visa (online) | Visa on Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Where to apply | Online, from Germany | At DAR / JRO / ZNZ airport |
| Cost | USD 50 | USD 50 |
| Wait time | 3–10 business days | 30–90 min queue on arrival |
| Documents needed | Upload digitally | Same, but physical copies |
| Risk of denial | Low if applied correctly | Possible if docs incomplete |
| Recommended? | Yes | Backup option only |
Germany-Specific Travel Notes
Germany is one of Tanzania's largest European tourism source markets, with historical ties dating to German East Africa (Tanganyika was a German colony until WWI, and German influence is still visible in place names and architecture in the Kilimanjaro region).
Flights from Germany to Tanzania:
- Lufthansa operates from Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC), usually with a connection in Addis Ababa, Nairobi, or Doha
- Ethiopian Airlines flies Frankfurt–Addis Ababa–Kilimanjaro / Dar es Salaam
- Qatar Airways operates Frankfurt/Munich–Doha–Dar es Salaam
- Flight time: approximately 11–13 hours (single stop)
Popular destinations for German travelers:
- Serengeti National Park (wildebeest migration, February–October peak)
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Kilimanjaro trekking (peak season: January–March, June–October)
- Zanzibar (Stone Town, Nungwi, Kendwa beaches)
- Selous/Nyerere Game Reserve
Health requirements: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only if you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. Germany is not endemic, so German travelers arriving directly or via non-endemic transit countries do not need to present this certificate. However, malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for mainland Tanzania.