Invitation to Germany for a Visitor Visa: Letter and Verpflichtungserklärung

For a trip to relatives or friends in Germany, two documents are usually distinguished: an informal invitation letter and an official Verpflichtungserklärung — a financial guarantee by the host. The first confirms the purpose of the trip and the connection to the host. The second is needed if the visitor cannot independently prove that they have enough money for living expenses and travel.

When an invitation is needed at all

For a short-term visit, this usually concerns a category C Schengen visa: it allows a stay in the Schengen Area of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, provided the visa conditions are met. The applicant applies for the visa at the German embassy, consulate, or visa centre in their place of habitual residence. The host in Germany does not submit the visa application on the visitor’s behalf.

An invitation helps explain the purpose of the trip: whom the applicant is visiting, where they will stay, for how long, and who will pay the expenses. However, it does not replace the other requirements: a valid passport, insurance, proof of travel arrangements, financial evidence, and an intention to leave the Schengen Area before the visa expires.

Two types of invitation

Informal invitation

An informal invitation is a letter from the host. It is usually sufficient if the visitor pays for the trip themselves and can prove their own financial means.

The letter usually states:

• the host’s name, address, telephone number, and email address;
• the host’s nationality or residence status in Germany;
• the visitor’s name, date of birth, and passport details;
• the relationship between the parties: relative, friend, partner, or acquaintance;
• the dates and purpose of the trip;
• the visitor’s accommodation address in Germany;
• who pays for accommodation, food, transport, and other expenses;
• the date and the host’s signature.

A copy of the host’s passport or German Ausweis is often enclosed with the letter. If the host is not a German citizen, a copy of their Aufenthaltstitel or other valid basis for residence is usually enclosed.

Official Verpflichtungserklärung

A Verpflichtungserklärung is an official financial commitment under §§ 66–68 of the Aufenthaltsgesetz. The host confirms to the German authority that they will cover possible costs connected with the visitor’s stay. This may include accommodation costs, medical care, social benefits, and possible state expenses for departure or forced return.

This document is especially important if the visitor cannot prove sufficient funding themselves. According to the Auswärtiges Amt, if personal funds cannot be demonstrated, funding can be proven through an official Verpflichtungserklärung by a third party.

Who can obtain a Verpflichtungserklärung

A person who lawfully lives in Germany and passes a solvency check can usually provide the financial guarantee. This may be:

• a German citizen;
• an EU citizen living in Germany;
• a foreign national with a valid Aufenthaltstitel;
• in some cases, several guarantors, if permitted by the local authority.

The decisive factor is not only residence status but also Bonität — the ability to meet the obligation. The authority checks income, regular expenses, family composition, and sometimes housing conditions. There is no single minimum income for all of Germany: it is calculated by the local Ausländerbehörde, Bürgeramt, or other responsible authority.

Where to obtain the official document

A Verpflichtungserklärung is normally issued at the host’s place of residence in Germany. The name of the authority varies by city:

• Ausländerbehörde or Ausländeramt;
• Landesamt für Einwanderung, for example in Berlin;
• Bürgeramt or a central Bürgeramt, as in some cities for short-term visits.

Appointments, online applications, and document lists vary by city. Therefore, you should check the website of the authority at the host’s place of registration, rather than relying on a general article online.

Which documents the host usually prepares

The exact list depends on the city and situation, but most often you will need:

• the host’s passport, Personalausweis, or electronic Aufenthaltstitel;
• a Meldebescheinigung or registration details, if the authority requests separate proof;
• the visitor’s details: name, date of birth, nationality, address, and passport number;
• the purpose and duration of the trip;
• proof of income for recent months, for example Gehaltsabrechnungen;
• for self-employed people: tax documents, a certificate from a tax adviser, Gewerbeanmeldung, or Handelsregisterauszug, where applicable;
• a rental agreement or information about housing expenses;
• the spouse’s consent if the authority takes joint income or obligations into account;
• the completed form and proof that the fee has been paid.

In 2026, official pages for several cities list an administrative fee of €29 for a Verpflichtungserklärung for an adult visitor or a couple with children. The fee is charged for the assessment and issuance and may not be refunded even if solvency is not confirmed. Before booking an appointment, check the current amount on your city’s website.

What the visitor receives

After it is issued, the host gives the visitor the original or the document in the form accepted by the relevant embassy or visa centre. The visitor includes it in the visa application package together with the other documents.

Important: a Verpflichtungserklärung does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. The German mission abroad will still assess the purpose of the trip, funding, insurance, readiness to leave on time, and the individual applicant’s circumstances.

When a regular letter is enough

A regular invitation is usually suitable if:

• the visitor pays for the trip themselves;
• they have bank statements, a job, income, or other financial evidence;
• the trip is short and its purpose is clear;
• the host only confirms accommodation or the purpose of the visit.

For such a letter, there is no need to visit the Ausländerbehörde. However, the format and supporting documents depend on the country where the application is made: German missions publish local checklists, and those are the ones to use when preparing the visa application package.

When it is better to obtain a Verpflichtungserklärung

An official financial guarantee is usually considered if:

• the visitor cannot show sufficient personal funds;
• the host pays for accommodation and the main expenses;
• the embassy or visa centre explicitly requests an official document;
• the trip is long within the permitted 90/180-day period and expenses are substantial;
• the applicant has previously faced questions about funding.

For national visas and stays longer than 90 days, the rules differ. In such cases, check the checklist for the specific category: study, a language course, family reunification, work, marriage, or another basis. A regular visitor invitation does not replace the requirements for a national visa.

How to prepare without mistakes

1. Check whether the visitor needs a visa for short-term entry to Germany.
2. Open the German mission’s website in the visitor’s country of residence and download the current checklist for a Besuchsvisum or Schengen visa.
3. Decide who will demonstrate funding: the visitor themselves or the host in Germany.
4. If the visitor pays for the trip themselves, prepare an informal invitation and copies of the host’s documents.
5. If the host will cover the expenses, check the Verpflichtungserklärung procedure on the website of the authority at the host’s place of registration.
6. Do not obtain the document too early: many authorities and German missions abroad work on the basis of a period of around six months between the issuance of the Verpflichtungserklärung and the visa process.
7. Check names, dates, passport numbers, and addresses across all documents before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Can I write the invitation in Russian?

For the German visa procedure, it is safer to prepare the invitation in German or English. The embassy’s local checklist may specify which languages are accepted without translation.

Does a regular invitation need to be notarised?

Usually not, if it is a free-form letter. However, a particular German mission abroad may require additional documents, so follow its checklist.

Can a student in Germany invite their parents?

They can write a regular invitation if their parents can prove their own funds. A student can obtain a Verpflichtungserklärung only if they have sufficient solvency, which in practice depends on income, expenses, and the local authority’s decision.

Who is liable under a Verpflichtungserklärung?

The guarantor in Germany. By signing the document, they assume financial obligations to the state to the extent set out in the Aufenthaltsgesetz. It is therefore important to read the Belehrung — the official explanation of the consequences of the guarantee — carefully before obtaining it.