Since 1 May 2008, Nigerian nationals no longer require an airport transit visa if they are in possession of a valid visa for another Schengen member state, a party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area of 2 May 1992, Japan, Canada, Switzerland or the United States of America.

Furthermore, as of 28th June 2024, Nigerian citizens who carry a valid biometric residence permit card from the UK with them, are exempted from needing a transit visa to transit through German airports on their way to the UK.

Visa stickers or other stickers and stamps are not included in this regulation. Only the plastic card with chip and biometric data allows for travel without a transit visa.

If this is not the case, Nigerian nationals will still require airport transit visas if they wish to pass through a German airport.

Responsible diplomatic mission

The Embassy Abuja issues transit visas to persons habitually resident in the following states of Nigeria: Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Koggi, Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara.

The Consulate General Lagos issues transit visas to persons ordinarily resident in the following states of Nigeria: Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers.

Application preparation

Prepare the application in the following steps.

• Fill in the application form
• Follow the instructions on the Basic Data Protection Regulation
• Please compile the accompanying application documents. Missing documents or evidence may lead to rejection of the application. We have compiled the appropriate checklist for you.
• Please read all the information on visa application on this page.
• Make an individual appointment at the Embassy in Abuja if the above conditions apply to you. You can apply for a transit visa at the Consulate General in Lagos without making an appointment. Please come to the Consulate General between 6.00h and 8.00h on Mondays to Fridays. If there is too much demand, you may be asked to come back on another day.

Keep in mind that the demand for appointments is very high! Therefore, make sure you make an appointment in good time.

Submitting your application

To submit your application, please appear in person at your appointment at the diplomatic mission or consular post. At this appointment, you will hand in your complete application documents and pay the fee (90€ at the current exchange rate in Nigerian Naira). At the Consulate General in Lagos, the fees can only be paid with POS. The Embassy in Abuja exclusively accepts cash payments.
Your photo and fingerprints will also be taken.

Application processing

The German mission abroad will check and decide on your application. As a rule, the processing time is up to 14 calendar days. Please understand that questions about the processing status cannot be answered.

Return of the passport

As soon as the mission abroad has decided on your application, you will receive your passport and the original documents back.

If your visa application has been rejected, this may be for various reasons. We will inform you of these reasons in a rejection letter.

Have a good journey! Advice for visa holders

If all the information on your visa label is correct, nothing stands in the way of your journey. Please check this as soon as you have your passport back in your hands. Please inform us immediately of any errors so that we can issue you with a new visa if necessary.
The issuance of a transit visa does not constitute an entitlement to entry. The final decision is made by the border police at the time of entry control into the Schengen area. It is possible that, in addition to your passport with the valid visa, the border police will also ask you to present documents upon entry that provide information on your financial means, the duration and purpose of your stay and health insurance cover. You should therefore take a set of your visa documents (including invitation from Germany, hotel reservation, travel health insurance) with you on your trip.

You were not satisfied?

Schengen visa and transit visa applicants can submit complaints about the behaviour of consular staff or the visa application process via the contact form. To do so, please select the addressee “Complaint about the Schengen visa process” in the contact form. We will investigate your complaint as soon as we receive it.

Important note: No appeals against decisions to refuse, cancel or revoke a visa - i.e. in particular no remonstrations - can be lodged via the complaint contact form.