Covid – Travel information

Travel within the Schengen Area “The Schengen Area is a zone comprised of 29 European states which have officially abolished passports and other types of border control at their mutual borders. For visitors, it effectively means that the Schengen Area acts as a singular country, i.e. once you enter one Schengen country you have entered them all.”  See ETIAS Visa for more information.Not all EU countries are in Schengen, and some non-EU countries (like Norway and Switzerland) are part of Schengen.You can find a list of the Schengen area countries here. Schengen visa A Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows non-EU citizens to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, typically for tourism or business. Aufenthaltstitel An Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) is a general term for a legal residence status in Germany, granted for work, study, or family reunification. Aufenthaltserlaubnis A Residence Permit for Germany (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) is a temporary residence permit tied to specific conditions, such as employment or studies Niederlassungserlaubnis A Niederlassungserlaubnis is a permanent settlement permit that grants unrestricted residence and work rights in Germany, with no expiry date. Travel on a Residence permit If you hold a South African passport along with a valid Schengen residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis or Niederlassungserlaubnis), you can travel freely within the Schengen Area for as long as your permit remains valid. However, be sure to check for any specific restrictions, such as whether your residence permit is limited to Germany. For official details, refer to Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament, available on EUR-Lex. Travel with a Schengen Visa Single-entry visa A single-entry visa allows its holder to enter the Schengen Area only once, within the given period, as mentioned in the visa sticker affixed to their passport. Once the visa holder exits Schengen territory, he or she can no longer go back, even if they have not spent the number of days as permitted by the embassy that issued them the visa. Some people confuse the single-entry visa, thinking that it is about the number of countries the visa holder is permitted to visit and that it allows them to enter one single country. The territory you are permitted to visit is given close to the “Valid for” tag on your visa sticker, whereas the time you are allowed to stay is given close to the “Number of entries” tag. Multiple-entry visa A multiple-entry visa allows its holder to go in and out of the Schengen Area as many times as he or she wants, as long as they do not violate the 90/180 rule. Based on how frequently you travel to the Schengen zone, you may apply and obtain one of the following multiple-entry visa types: 1-year multiple-entry visa 3-year multiple-entry visa 5-year multiple-entry visa Source: SchengenVisaInfo Types of Schengen visas. Type “A” is for airport transit, “B” is for land Transit, “C” is for a short stay (> 90 days)  and “D” is for a long stay (<90 days) visa. A Visa with Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) is a special type of Schengen visa that only allows travel to specific Schengen countries, rather than the entire Schengen Area. Unlike a standard Schengen visa, which permits movement across all member states, an LTV visa restricts travel to only the country or countries explicitly mentioned on the visa sticker. How to check your visa: Gültig für/Valid for – Is it valid only for Germany (Limited Territory) or valid for the Schengen states Remarks –  for example the reason for your visit and any restrictions.  Number of entries – MULT (Multiple) double, or Single entry Good to know If your visa is only valid for Germany and single entry, you are not allowed to return to Germany once you leave on the same visa. If your visa is valid for the “Schengen-Staaten” and single entry, you are allowed to travel within the Schengen area, but once you leave the Schengen area you cannot return on the same visa If your visa is valid for the “Schengen-Staaten” and multiple entry you can leave and enter the Schengen area for as long as your visa is valid, keeping  the 90/180 rule in mind. Things to keep in mind When travelling within the Schengen Area, it’s essential to always carry your passport and visa/residence permit with you. While internal border checks are rare, authorities can still conduct random checks, and failure to provide valid identification could lead to fines, delays, or even being denied entry into another Schengen country. Some airlines, hotels, and law enforcement agencies may also require proof of your legal right to stay in Europe. Having both documents on hand ensures a smooth journey and avoids unnecessary complications.  European Union (EU): A political and economic union of some European countries that cooperate on trade, laws, and policies. Some EU countries (e.g., Ireland and Cyprus) are not in the Schengen area, meaning they still have border checks, while some non-EU countries are in Schengen. Schengen Area – This refers to the group of European countries that have abolished internal border controls, allowing free movement of people. It includes most EU countries plus a few non-EU members like Norway and Switzerland. Even if you have a permanent residence card for Germany, for countries outside the Schengen area, you will need to adhere to the rules applicable to your passport. See Where can I travel on my SA passport for some visa exemptions. Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, and the Vatican have opened their borders but are not members of the visa-free zone. The Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands are special members of the EU and part of the Schengen Zone, even though they are located outside the European continent. In many European countries, highways, expressways, bridges or tunnels may be subjected to Maut (Tollfees)  – see the ADAC site.  You can buy a Vignette before your trip, or when arriving at the toll gates.For Austria, you can buy a Vignette directly on the ASFINAG site if you