The Royal Thai Embassy in Berlin is the main Thai diplomatic mission in Germany. For visas, it covers residents of Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein. Thüringen belongs to the Consulate-General in Frankfurt.
Every visa application is now made online at thaievisa.go.th. The embassy does not accept paper applications by post or in person. This guide covers the jurisdiction, the online process, fees, required documents and processing times.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official name | Royal Thai Embassy, Berlin (Königlich Thailändische Botschaft) |
| Address | Lepsiusstrasse 64-66, 12163 Berlin |
| Phone | +49 (0)30 794 810 (general); visa enquiries +49 (0)30 794 811 17, both answered 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | berlin.thaiembassy.org |
| Jurisdiction | Northern and eastern German states (see above) |
| Visa applications | Online only, via the Thailand e-Visa portal |
| Stated processing time | 15 working days |
Consular Section Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Friday | Counter: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (last applications 12:30 PM) |
| Monday - Friday | Telephone inquiries: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday - Sunday | Closed |
| Holidays | Closed |
Important: The counter handles consular services such as legalisation and Thai-national matters. It does not accept visa applications. The embassy publishes an annual holiday calendar on its website. Check it before visiting, as Thai holidays such as Songkran and the King's Birthday add closure days.
German Nationals and Visa Exemption
German passport holders benefit from Thailand's 30-day visa exemption for tourism. This means most German tourists can enter Thailand without a visa and receive a 30-day stamp at immigration upon arrival.
From July 2024 until 14 September 2026 the exemption was 60 days. The 30-day rule was published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and has applied since 15 September 2026 (TAT Newsroom). If you entered before that date, you keep the stay you were granted.
You need a visa if:
- Your planned stay exceeds 30+30 days (visa exemption plus a 30-day extension available within Thailand)
- You need a Non-Immigrant visa for work, business, retirement, or education
- You wish to obtain a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa for frequent travel to Thailand
- You are applying for a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
- Your nationality is not on Thailand's visa exemption list
Visa Types and Fees
| Visa Type | Stay / Validity | Fee (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa (TR) - Single Entry | Up to 60 days, valid 3 months | €35 |
| Tourist Visa (TR) - Multiple Entry | Up to 60 days per entry, valid 6 months | €175 |
| Non-Immigrant (B, O, ED and others) - Single Entry | Valid 3 months | €70 |
| Non-Immigrant - Multiple Entry / long stay (incl. O-A) | Valid 1 year | €175 |
| Non-Immigrant O-X | Valid 5 years | €350 |
| Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | 180 days per entry, valid 5 years | €350 |
| Long-Term Resident (LTR) | Valid 10 years | €1,750 |
| Transit Visa - Single Entry | Up to 30 days, valid 3 months | €30 |
Fees from the embassy's visa fee page (dated 18 November 2024). You pay online in the e-Visa system, and fees are not refunded under any circumstances once you have applied. Check the page before applying, as fees can change.
How to Apply for a Visa
All visa applications go through the official portal, thaievisa.go.th, and nowhere else. The embassy does not accept hard-copy applications by post or at the counter.
- Check your jurisdiction. Residents of Hessen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland and Thüringen apply under Frankfurt. Residents of Bayern and Baden-Württemberg apply under Munich.
- Create an account at thaievisa.go.th and complete the form for your visa type.
- Upload your documents (see below).
- Pay the fee online. You must be physically in Germany when you pay.
- Check every detail before paying. Information is locked once the fee is paid. A mistake means a new application and a new fee.
- Wait for the decision. The embassy states 15 working days from successful payment, excluding weekends and its public holidays. If it asks for more documents, allow another 15 working days from when it receives them.
- Print the approved e-Visa and carry it with your passport.
Timing: You can apply up to 90 days before your arrival in Thailand. The embassy may invite you to an interview, so stay in Germany until you have a decision.
For status questions, email the embassy from the address you used to apply, quoting your full name, passport number and application reference number. The address is on the embassy's e-Visa page.
Required Documents by Visa Type
The embassy publishes a full checklist for every category in its visa types and documents PDF (as of 1 September 2026). The main ones:
Tourist Visa (Single or Multiple Entry)
- Passport or travel document biodata page
- Photo taken within the last six months
- Proof of residence: German nationals send the front and back of the Personalausweis or a Meldebescheinigung; other nationals send the front and back of their residence permit card plus a Meldebescheinigung
- Flight booking confirmation showing passenger name, flight number, and departure and arrival dates
- Proof of accommodation in Thailand, such as a hotel booking, rental contract, or an invitation letter with the host's Thai ID card or passport
- Financial evidence of at least 20,000 THB (for example, bank statements for the last three months or a sponsor letter)
Non-Immigrant O-A (Long-Stay Retirement, 1 Year)
- Passport or travel document biodata page
- Photo taken within the last six months
- Proof of permanent residence in the country where you apply
- Financial evidence: monthly income of at least 65,000 THB, or a current balance of 800,000 THB (for example, bank statements for the last three months or proof of earnings)
- Medical certificate from the country where you apply, showing none of the diseases listed in Ministerial Regulation No. 14 (B.E. 2535), no more than three months old
- Foreign Insurance Certificate completed, signed and stamped by your insurer (form at longstay.tgia.org)
- Health insurance covering general illness with an insured sum of at least USD 100,000 or 3,000,000 THB
- Criminal record certificate (Führungszeugnis) from your country of nationality or the country where you apply
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
- Passport or travel document, photo, and proof of current location
- Financial evidence of at least 500,000 THB (for example, bank statements, payslips or a sponsorship letter)
- Proof of purpose: for remote work, an employment contract or certificate or a professional portfolio; for soft-power activities, confirmation of the course or event (Muay Thai, cooking, medical treatment and similar)
- Since 31 August 2026: proof of permanent residence in your country of nationality or permanent residence, and a criminal record clearance certificate from that country (Thai MFA notice, via the Royal Thai Embassy Beijing)
For Non-Immigrant B (work), ED (education) and other categories, use the embassy's PDF. The embassy or consulate may also ask for an interview or extra documents.
Processing Times
| Stage | Time stated by the embassy |
|---|---|
| Standard application | 15 working days from successful payment |
| Extra documents requested | Another 15 working days from receipt |
Weekends and the embassy's public holidays are not counted. Express processing is not offered. Apply well before your departure date, but no more than 90 days before arrival.
Getting to the Embassy
Visa applicants do not need to visit. These directions are for consular services or an interview. The embassy is located in the Steglitz district of Berlin, a residential area south of the city centre.
By Public Transport
- U-Bahn: U9 to Rathaus Steglitz station, then a 10-minute walk south along Lepsiusstrasse
- S-Bahn: S1 to Botanischer Garten station, then a 5-minute walk
- Bus: Several BVG bus routes stop near Lepsiusstrasse
By Car
Street parking is available in surrounding residential streets (observe Parkzone regulations). The embassy has no dedicated visitor car park.
Other Thai Diplomatic Missions in Germany
Residents of southern and western German states fall under the jurisdiction of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Frankfurt or Munich:
| Mission | Location | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Thai Embassy | Berlin | Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein |
| Royal Thai Consulate-General | Frankfurt am Main | Hessen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Thüringen |
| Royal Thai Consulate-General | Munich | Bayern, Baden-Württemberg |
Tip: Apply under the mission responsible for your state of residence. The e-Visa portal routes your application by where you live.
Consular Services
The embassy also provides the following non-visa services:
- Document legalization — Authentication of German documents for use in Thailand (requires prior Apostille from German authorities)
- Thai passport services — Issuance and renewal for Thai nationals living in Germany
- Civil registration — Birth, marriage, death, and divorce registration for Thai nationals
- Notarial services — Certification and witnessing of documents
- Consular assistance — Emergency support for Thai nationals in distress
Frequently Asked Questions
Do German citizens need a visa for Thailand?
For tourism stays of up to 30 days, no. German passport holders receive a visa exemption stamp on arrival. For longer stays or non-tourist purposes, a visa is required.
Can I apply at the embassy if I live in Munich?
No. Residents of Bayern (Bavaria) apply under the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Munich. The Berlin embassy serves northern and eastern German states only. Thüringen is covered by Frankfurt, not Berlin.
Can I hand in my visa application at the embassy?
No. The embassy accepts visa applications only through thaievisa.go.th. It does not accept hard copies by post or in person.
How long before my trip should I apply?
Processing takes 15 working days, and another 15 if the embassy asks for more documents. You can apply up to 90 days before arrival. Apply at least 4-6 weeks before departure, and earlier in busy seasons (November-February).
What happens if my application is incomplete or rejected?
The embassy may ask for extra documents, which adds time. Fees are not refunded under any circumstances. If you are refused, you can submit a new application with stronger documentation and a new fee.
Can I extend my visa while in Thailand?
Yes. A tourist visa or visa exemption can be extended by 30 days at any Thai Immigration office within Thailand for 1,900 THB. See our tourist visa extension guide for details.
Final Thoughts
Germany is one of the largest source markets for tourism to Thailand. For most German tourists, the visa exemption means no visa is needed. If you do require one, apply online from Germany, pick the mission for your state, check every detail before paying, and allow at least 15 working days. The embassy website is the definitive source for the latest requirements, fees, and holiday closures.
Sources
- Royal Thai Embassy, Berlin — E-Visa system
- Royal Thai Embassy, Berlin — Kontakt (phone numbers, hours)
- Royal Thai Embassy, Berlin — Visa fees
- Royal Thai Embassy, Berlin — Visa types and required documents
- TAT Newsroom — Thailand introduces new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption rules from 15 September
