Hotel booking for a Germany Schengen visa

Applying for a short-stay Schengen visa for Germany? Here's what to prepare for the accommodation part of your file, and how to get a real reservation without prepaying.

What the consulate expects

Germany follows the common Schengen rules: applicants usually show proof of accommodation for the whole stay, most often hotel reservations in their name. The official requirements and document checklists are published by the German Federal Foreign Office; the visa centre that handles your application may add its own checklist.

• Your name exactly as in the passport.
• Every night of the stay covered, matching your flights.
• Hotel name, address and a booking reference.

Where to book in Germany

Most visitors stay in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Cologne. Book the cities in your itinerary for the nights you'll be there. Trade-fair weeks in Frankfurt, Munich or Cologne fill up hotels quickly. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.

Staying with a host

For private stays, the host in Germany may sign a Verpflichtungserklärung (formal obligation letter) at their local foreigners' authority, if the consulate asks for a sponsor. If part of your trip is with a host and part in hotels, include documents for both.

Step by step

1. Enter your stay. Destination, dates, number of guests and your name exactly as in your passport.
2. Pick a hotel. We show real hotels with rooms available on your dates and a free-cancellation rate.
3. Pay for the service. $12 for one reservation or $29 a month for Unlimited. You don't pay the hotel.
4. Get the booking reference and voucher. Usually within a minute, on screen and by email, with a PDF you can print or upload.

The reservation is held for 48 hours. You can extend it once, free, up to 14 days after booking (or shortly before the hotel's free-cancellation deadline, whichever comes first). After that it is cancelled free of charge.

Frequently asked questions