Claims that Germany has lifted visa requirements for 62 countries are false

It has emerged that claims circulating rapidly on social media, stating that "Germany has lifted visa requirements for 62 countries, including Israel," are not a new development and are being shared out of context.

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Claims that Germany has lifted visa requirements for 62 countries are false

In recent days, claims have surfaced on social media platforms suggesting that Germany has lifted visa requirements for 62 countries, including Israel and Vanuatu. However, investigations show that this is not a new decision.

VISA LIBERALIZATION IS NOT A NEW DECISION

Germany's visa regime is based on the Schengen Agreement signed by European Union (EU) member states. According to Regulation No. 1806, which governs the EU visa regime, the list of countries exempt from visa requirements for stays not exceeding 90 days within a 180-day period was last updated in 2018.

It is evident that the countries and regions for which Germany is claimed to have introduced visa exemptions are already included in the aforementioned regulation. The list includes 59 countries, as well as Taiwan and China's Hong Kong and Macau regions, which enjoy visa exemptions. For instance, Israeli citizens have been able to visit Germany without a visa since 1965.

WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THE CLAIMS?

An examination of international news sources reveals that the rumors regarding visa liberalization for 62 countries stem from a report published by the United Arab Emirates-based Gulf News on July 12, 2026.

The details of the report state, "According to the German Federal Foreign Office, Germany will continue to allow citizens of 62 countries outside the European Union and the Schengen Area to enter without a visa for short-term visits of up to 90 days in 2026." It is noted that this statement has been taken out of context on social media and presented as a "new visa exemption."

THE VANUATU CLAIM IS ALSO BASELESS

Some posts circulating, particularly on the X platform, suggested that the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu was also among the countries for which visas were lifted. However, when checking the official visa application page of the German Federal Foreign Office, it is clear that citizens of Vanuatu are subject to visa requirements when traveling to Germany.

News Source: 12punto