Do German citizens need a Kenya visa or eTA?
Germany's Federal Foreign Office currently states that an eTA is required before entry to Kenya, while directing travellers to Kenya's official eTA website for exemptions. For ordinary short visits, this is the current pre-travel system and should replace outdated “Kenya eVisa” wording.
German passport holder
Use the same passport for the application and travel.
Kenya eTA
Apply before departure unless an official exemption applies.
US$30
Current Standard eTA base fee, excluding payment charges.
Decided at entry
An approved eTA is permission to travel, not an unconditional right to enter.
Kenya eTA requirements for German citizens
6 months after planned arrival
Kenya's official eTA guidance requires at least six months' passport validity after your planned arrival date.
At least 1
The official Kenya portal requires at least one blank passport page.
Selfie or passport-type image
Use a clear recent image suitable for identity checks.
Arrival and departure details
Prepare current flight or overland itinerary information.
Hotel, lodge or host details
Accommodation details should align with your submitted itinerary.
Email, phone and accepted payment method
Use contact details you can access throughout processing.
When German travellers should apply
3 months before departure
Germany's Foreign Office says eTA can be submitted no earlier than three months before departure.
At least 72 hours before departure
Do not leave the application until the airport or day of travel.
How German citizens apply for Kenya eTA
Check passport validity
Confirm six-month validity after planned arrival and a blank page.
Prepare your evidence
Passport, photo, itinerary, accommodation and contact details.
Complete the online form
Match your names, dates and passport number exactly.
Add purpose-specific documents
Business, family, conference and medical visits can require additional evidence.
Pay the applicable fee
Government charges and optional private assistance fees should be separated clearly.
Wait for approval
Where eTA is required, begin the journey only after approval.
Tourism, family visits and business travel
Safari, coast or city trip
Prepare passport, itinerary and accommodation documentation.
Host documents
Kenya may request invitation and host identification or immigration-status evidence.
Company invitation
Business applicants can be asked for a company invitation and company-registration copy.
Kenya eTA fees for German citizens
Transit eTA
US$20Current official base fee when a transit eTA is needed.
Standard eTA
US$30Current official base fee for one entry into Kenya.
One-Year Multi-Entry
US$300Current official multiple-entry category.
Five-Year Multi-Entry
Not a German categoryThe official US$185 five-year option is currently listed for American nationals.
Processing, validity and permitted stay
| Topic | Current guidance |
|---|---|
| Typical processing | About 3 working days / 72 hours, though some applications can take longer. |
| Safer planning window | Kenya recommends applying about 2 weeks before travel where possible. |
| Travel-use validity | Use the eTA for travel within 90 days from issuance. |
| Permitted stay | Determined by Kenyan immigration at the point of entry. |
| Extension | Do not assume an automatic extra 90 days. Ask Kenya Immigration about current extension eligibility before your authorized stay expires. |
Transit through Kenya for German citizens
Kenya's current rules exempt certain passengers who transfer without leaving airport precincts. If you plan to pass immigration or leave the airport, check whether a Transit eTA or another valid authorization is needed.
Remain inside airport precincts
Certain transit passengers can qualify for exemption under current Kenyan rules.
Entering Kenya
If you pass immigration or leave the airport, check the correct authorization before travel.
Health checks and route planning
Germany's Foreign Office currently notes Ebola-related screening at Nairobi and Mombasa international airports, and says travellers arriving from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo must complete an electronic traveller surveillance form. Health requirements can change independently of eTA rules, so verify current guidance close to departure.
Entering Kenya with a German passport
- Travel with the same passport used for your eTA application.
- Keep the approved eTA accessible offline.
- Carry accommodation and onward/return travel evidence.
- Use an active gazetted airport, land border or seaport.
- Be ready for normal immigration and biometric procedures.
- Remember that eTA approval is not a guarantee of admission.
Multi-country safari travel
If your route combines Kenya with Tanzania, Uganda or Rwanda, treat each border movement as a separate immigration event. Do not assume a Standard single-entry Kenya eTA automatically remains valid after every exit and return.
Common mistakes German travellers should avoid
- Using old Kenya eVisa guidance instead of current eTA instructions.
- Applying earlier than the allowed three-month window.
- Leaving the application until less than 72 hours before departure.
- Assuming US$34.09 is a fixed government price.
- Confusing 90-day travel-use validity with an automatic 90-day stay.
- Assuming single-entry eTA automatically covers re-entry after a regional safari.
Kenya eTA FAQ for German citizens
Do German citizens need a Kenya eTA?
Yes. Germany's Federal Foreign Office currently states that eTA is required before entry, subject to Kenya's published exemptions.
When can I submit my Kenya eTA?
Germany's Foreign Office says no earlier than three months before departure and no later than 72 hours before departure. Kenya recommends allowing about two weeks where possible.
How much is the Standard eTA?
The current official government base fee is US$30 excluding payment charges.
How long must my German passport remain valid?
Kenya's official eTA guidance requires at least six months' validity after your planned date of arrival and at least one blank page.
Can I get Kenya eTA at the airport?
Do not plan to apply on arrival. German official guidance requires the electronic authorization before entry and gives a minimum pre-departure submission timeline.
Official sources and independent-service disclosure
KE-Visa is an independent travel-document assistance service and is not affiliated with the Government of Kenya or the German Government. German citizens can apply directly through Kenya's official eTA portal.