The German government has officially confirmed that nationals from nine African countries are not eligible for the standard transit privilege at German airports and must obtain an airport transit visa, formally known as a Category A visa, before any stopover in Germany.
This requirement is detailed on the official German foreign ministry website. The ministry explains that most foreign travellers may pass through a German airport without a visa provided they remain within the International Airport Area and their final destination is not inside the Schengen zone. However, citizens of the listed African nations do not enjoy this privilege.
African Countries Requiring a Category A Transit Visa
The German government named the following African nations whose citizens must hold a valid Category A transit visa for any stopover at a German airport:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Mali
- Nigeria
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
The list was published as part of Germany's official airport transit visa requirements, which are updated periodically to reflect changes in migration and security policies.
Where the Transit Privilege Applies in Germany
Germany's transit visa exemption applies only at airports that maintain a designated International Transit Area. According to the German foreign ministry, only five airports in Germany have this facility:
- Frankfurt/Main
- Munich
- Hamburg (between 4:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. only)
- Düsseldorf (between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. only, and only where the airline has pre-arranged the transit with the Federal Police)
- Berlin-Brandenburg
Even travellers who would ordinarily benefit from the transit privilege may still need a visa if their stopover requires them to enter the Schengen area, for example to change terminals or because their onward destination is within Schengen.
Impact on African Travellers and Next Steps
The German government advises all travellers to confirm their visa requirements and apply well in advance of their travel date. African travellers from the listed countries should check all applicable requirements before booking connecting flights through any German airport.
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that Germany had published a list of 20 countries whose citizens must get an airport transit visa. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Germany had named the countries exempt from getting an airport transit visa, outlining who qualifies for the exemption and under what conditions. The guidance applies to individuals transiting through German airports without entering German territory.
