Two situations, two rulebooks: travelling around Europe on your German residence permit, and family from India getting a Schengen visa to visit you. Including the 2026 airport-transit change.
Updated 13 August 2026
A valid German residence permit (Blue Card, work, student, Chancenkarte, settlement) plus your passport lets you visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa.
| Situation | Can you travel? |
|---|---|
| Residence permit card (eAT) + passport | Yes, across Schengen, 90 days in 180 |
| National D-visa sticker (before you get the card) | Yes, for short trips within its validity |
| Fiktionsbescheinigung (temporary paper while renewing) | Depends on the version: only some allow re-entry and travel. Check the ticked box, and ask the foreigners' office before booking |
| Expired permit, no paper | No. Don't travel until it's resolved |
| Trips to the UK, Ireland or Cyprus | Not covered: these countries are outside the Schengen area and have their own visa rules. Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are in Schengen |
Working in another Schengen country is not allowed on a German permit (except under EU Blue Card mobility rules). Carry your permit and passport on every trip, including by train or bus.
Parents and relatives need a Schengen short-stay visa. Apply to the country where they'll spend the most time (Germany if visiting you), through VFS in India, up to 6 months and at least about 3–4 weeks before travel. Processing is usually around 15 days but can be longer in peak season.
For longer visits or bringing parents permanently, see bringing parents to Germany.
