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Do German citizens need a visa for New Zealand?
Yes, travelers from Germany must obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before arriving in New Zealand. While the NZeTA is not a visa, it is a mandatory electronic authorization that allows multiple short-term visits for up to 90 days within its two-year validity period.
However, an NZeTA does not guarantee entry—New Zealand border officials have the right to refuse entry if a traveler does not meet immigration requirements or is considered a security risk.
The NZeTA is required for all air and sea travelers, including transit passengers. It must be obtained before departure, as it cannot be issued upon arrival in New Zealand.
New Zealand Traveller Declaration for Germans
All incoming travelers, including German citizens, are required to complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before entering the country.
• The earliest time to submit the NZTD is 24 hours before departure.
• It must be fully completed before reaching passport control in New Zealand.
• The NZTD is an online form that collects important customs, immigration, and biosecurity details.
• Travelers can submit the form for free via the NZTD website or the official NZTD mobile app.
• Each traveler, including children, must submit their own separate declaration.
What requirements must German citizens meet to enter New Zealand?
Apart from obtaining an NZeTA, visitors from Germany must comply with the following entry conditions:
• A valid passport – It must remain valid for at least 3 months beyond the traveler’s intended departure date.
• Proof of sufficient funds – Travelers must show that they have:
- NZD $1,000 per person per month of stay, or
- NZD $400 per person per month if their accommodation has been prepaid.
• A return or onward travel ticket to prove that they do not intend to overstay their visit.
• Health and character requirements – Border officials may conduct additional health or security screenings if necessary.
How to apply for an NZeTA for Germans?
The NZeTA application process is fast and can be completed online in just a few steps:
1. Visit the official website – Apply via the New Zealand Immigration website or the NZeTA mobile app.
2. Complete the application form – Enter personal information, passport details, and intended travel dates.
3. Answer security and health-related questions – Some applicants may need to provide extra details.
4. Pay the required fee – Payment can be made using a credit/debit card or PayPal.
5. Receive confirmation by email – Once approved, the NZeTA is electronically linked to the traveler’s passport.
To prevent last-minute delays, travelers should apply for their NZeTA at least 72 hours before departure.
What documents are required to obtain an NZeTA for citizens from Germany?
To complete an NZeTA application, visitors from Germany must provide:
• A passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond their arrival date in New Zealand.
• At least one blank page in the passport for entry and exit stamps.
• Their planned arrival and departure dates.
• A valid credit/debit card or PayPal account to cover the application fee.
How much does an NZeTA cost for Germans?
The cost of an NZeTA depends on the application method:
• NZD $17 when applying via the official mobile app.
• NZD $23 when applying through the New Zealand Immigration website.
Additionally, travelers must pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $100, which is automatically added to the NZeTA fee.
What is the processing time for an NZeTA?
The standard processing time for an NZeTA is up to 72 hours.
What are the health insurance requirements for citizens from Germany?
Although health insurance is not mandatory for visitors from Germany, it is highly recommended. New Zealand’s healthcare system does not provide free or subsidized care for tourists, meaning medical expenses can be costly. To avoid unexpected financial burdens, travelers should purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical treatment, hospitalization, and emergency evacuation.
- A citizen of New Zealand or a holder of a residence class visa;
- An owner of a temporary entry visa;
- A person subject to visa cancellation, but only if he has an electronic transit permit;
- A traveler traveling to or from Australia:
1.A person whose immediate or final destination after transiting through New Zealand is Australia, but only if they hold a valid visa issued by the Australian Government to enter Australia and have a Transit Electronic Permit
2.A person traveling from Australia and having a transit electronic permit;
3.A person whom a representative of the Immigration Service, by special instruction, classified as a person subject to the withdrawal of a transit visa;
4.Citizens of the following countries, but only if they have a transit electronic permit:
- Download and read the health standards (IHS) and the IHS guidance document. In the latter, you can find a sample of the veterinary certificate that you need to provide for your cat or dog. It displays all tests, treatment courses and examinations. A separate form can be downloaded at https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/
- Check whether your pet meets all requirements for import into New Zealand. For ease of checking, special checklists have been developed on the MPI website, which you can use to check compliance with all requirements. Your pet must be provided with a special microchip and vaccinated against rabies (only after microchip insertion). He must also pass a blood test no later than 3 months and no earlier than 24 months before the date of importation and undergo treatment for certain parasites 24 to 48 hours before departure;
- Book quarantine at a transit point approved by MPI. A list of such items can be found at https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/. The quarantine period is not less than 10 days. You will need the booking confirmation letter later when submitting your application.
- Apply for an import permit. It takes 20 days to issue such a permit, so you need to apply in advance. Permits are of two types, depending on the country from which the animal is imported. Category 2 – rabies-free countries, category 3 – countries where rabies is absent or under control. For each of these categories, there is a separate application form that can be downloaded from the MPI website.
- Declare medications for the pet if he needs to take any medications while on the road.
- Notify the MPI no later than 72 hours before the arrival of the animal in the New Zealand with the following data:
- Drugs, weapons (but if special permission from the New Zealand police has been obtained in advance, firearms and cold weapons can be imported with mandatory customs declaration)
- Beekeeping products
- Food for domestic animals
- Ivory in any form, tortoise shell products, marine animal bones and tusks, horns and skin
- A number of diuretics, hypnotics and sedatives, cardiac preparations, tranquilizers, all types of vaccines, medicines for the manufacture of which musk is used, if their necessity is not confirmed by the relevant medical prescriptions
- Samples of plants and animals that are under state protection
- Leather, bone, bird feathers, coral, and shell products
- Meat and sausage products in both directions
The car traffic is left-hand.
The speed limit is 100 km/h (63 mph) on open roads, 50 km/h (31 mph) in cities.
Drivers and passengers must always wear seat belts.
Children under the age of five must wear seat belts and be secured in special child seats. Children between the ages of 5 and 7 sitting in the front seat must be secured in a child seat or seat belt. Children 8 years of age and older must ride in the front seat only with a seat belt fastened, otherwise they must ride in the back seat.
You cannot turn left when the traffic light is red.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime and is punishable by the police. The permissible level of alcohol in the blood is 0.08%.
You can legally drive in New Zealand for 12 months if you have a translated national driver's license or an international driver's license. After 12 months you should get your New Zealand driving licence.
Car rental
To rent a car, you must present an international driver's license in English and be at least 21 years old. The rental price is from 60 NZD per day (insurance included), for long-term rentals (from three weeks), the rental fee is reduced by almost half.
When you call 111, a Spark operator will answer your call and ask you which emergency service to contact – fire, ambulance or police.
You can find New Zealand Embassies in different countries at: https://www.embassy-worldwide.com/country/new-zealand/
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