As of 2026, citizens of visa-exempt countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia can stay in Germany for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This is known as the "90/180 rule" for the Schengen Area. However, a major change starting in the last quarter of 2026 is the mandatory ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) requirement. Travelers must apply online for this pre-travel authorization, which costs €7 and is valid for three years. It is crucial to remember that this 90-day limit is cumulative across all Schengen countries; if you spend 30 days in France and 30 days in Italy, you only have 30 days remaining for Germany. If you wish to stay longer than 90 days for work, study, or retirement, you must apply for a specific National Visa (D-Visa) or a residence permit. Overstaying even by a single day can result in heavy fines, deportation, and a multi-year ban from entering the European Union, as the new "Entry-Exit System" (EES) now automatically tracks the biometric data of all travelers to detect overstays.