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Summary: after landing in Germany you first reach passport control (Bundespolizei), and after collecting your luggage you leave through customs. The border officer may ask for your original visa and documents justifying your trip. Keep all important documents in your hand luggage, not in checked baggage.
Main documents that must be in your hand luggage
- Valid passport: its validity must match your visa and length of stay; a passport close to expiry can cause problems.
- National visa (type D) or residence card: check the start and end dates of validity, the number of entries and the purpose of stay on the sticker. If the visa is valid only from a certain date, do not enter before that date.
- Documents for the purpose of travel (original + copy): for work: the contract or employment letter and, if available, the employment agency’s approval. For study: the admission letter, language certificate and blocked account. For family reunification: marriage or birth documents with translation and certification. For the Opportunity Card: points documents and proof of funds.
- Proof of accommodation: rental contract, hotel booking or invitation letter and the address for the first weeks.
- Health insurance: proof of insurance (such as travel insurance until you join German insurance). Health insurance guide.
- Proof of funds: blocked account certificate, bank statement or some cash/cards.
- Return or onward ticket: required for a short-stay visa; usually not mandatory for a national visa.
Also keep a digital copy of all documents (on your phone or by email) and carry the phone numbers of the employer, university or host.
Border control: what questions might they ask?
- Purpose and length of stay
- Address of your initial accommodation
- Job, university or employer
- How you support yourself financially
Answer briefly, clearly and truthfully and hand the officer your documents. A visa does not guarantee entry and the final decision lies with the border officer. If your German or English is weak, you can ask for an interpreter.
Declaring cash and equivalent values
If you bring €10,000 or more in cash (or equivalent) into Germany, you must declare it to customs even if no one asks. The preferred method is online registration on the customs portal (Barmittelanmeldeerklärung); a paper form is sometimes also accepted. At the airport use the “red channel”. Covered: banknotes, circulating coins, cheques, promissory notes and other transferable instruments. Gold bars and coins are also covered under certain conditions, and foreign currency is converted to euros at the exchange rate on the day of entry. Even below this amount you must answer the officer’s questions about the source and purpose of the money. Failing to declare or declaring falsely carries a heavy fine (up to one million euros under customs law).
Customs: what can you bring?
- Souvenirs and gifts: for air travellers from non-EU countries, usually exempt up to a value of about €430; above that it must be declared, and customs of EU member states have separate rules.
- Cigarettes and alcohol: there is a per-person quantity limit; check the exact quantity on the customs website.
- Meat and dairy: bringing in meat and dairy products from non-EU countries is generally prohibited. Sweets, dried fruit, saffron, tea and spices in personal quantities are usually no problem, but fresh plants, fruit, vegetables and seeds have special rules.
- Medicines: bring personal medicines with a prescription or doctor’s certificate and in the original packaging; medicines containing narcotic or restricted substances have stricter rules.
- Gold and jewellery: jewellery and valuable goods must be declared if they are not for personal use or are of high value.
- Prohibited items: weapons, drugs, counterfeit goods and protected species.
At the airport you have two lanes: “green” (nothing to declare) and “red” (goods or money to declare). If you are unsure, use the red exit.
After arrival: the first 14 days
- Address registration (Anmeldung) within 14 days: guide.
- Foreigners’ Authority: the national visa usually has to be converted into a residence card (eAT). Book an appointment and check how long the visa is valid. Guide to extension and the residence card.
- Health insurance and bank account: bank guide.
- SIM card, transport and temporary address: check these in advance.
Frequently asked questions
What if my suitcase is lost and the documents were inside?
That is why you keep the main documents with you. If documents are lost, report it to the airport police and contact the relevant authority.
Do I need to carry an official translation?
For documents you hand in to German authorities, usually yes; for border control the original visa and basic documents are enough. Even so, having a translation makes things easier.
Is entering earlier than the visa date allowed?
No. Entry is only permitted within the visa’s validity period.
Note: this guide is general information (last reviewed: October 2026) and is not legal or immigration advice. Laws, amounts and procedures of embassies and authorities change constantly, especially for Iranians. Before any step, read the official notice of the relevant body and, for complex cases, consult a lawyer or authorised immigration advisor.
