Everything you need for your Germany tour: entry rules, tolls, Alpine passes in the south, fuel and safety, from a rider's perspective.
Visa, entry, season or route – in the live chat we usually reply within 3 minutes.
Updated: August 2026
Entry
EU citizens enter with their ID card. For other nationalities, passport validity is what matters most.
Visa-free (EU/EEA/Switzerland)
Visa-free (Schengen agreement, e.g. USA, UK, Canada, Australia)
Schengen visa (countries requiring a visa)
Own motorcycle (EU registration)
Own motorcycle (non-EU registration)
| Visa type | Stay | Cost | Where to apply | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free (EU/EEA/Switzerland) | Unlimited (freedom of movement) | none | No application needed, an ID card or passport is enough | Ongoing validity of the ID document |
| Visa-free (Schengen agreement, e.g. USA, UK, Canada, Australia) | Up to 90 days per 180-day period | none | No application needed, passport check on entry | 90 of 180 days across the whole Schengen area |
| Schengen visa (countries requiring a visa) | Depends on visa type, usually up to 90 days | Fee at the diplomatic mission | German embassy or consulate in your home country, before departure | As stated on the visa |
| Own motorcycle (EU registration) | Unlimited | none | No registration needed, free movement of goods | Ongoing registration and insurance |
| Own motorcycle (non-EU registration) | Matches the rider's own stay | none | Carry a Green Card or border insurance | Tied to the length of stay |
Your own bike
For EU number plates, entry is a pure formality. It only gets relevant for vehicles registered outside the EU.
Checklist for the border
Germany asks for no customs or import document for EU number plates. That doesn't automatically apply to insurance: without recognised proof of third-party cover, you're not protected in the event of a claim, so clarify this before you leave, not at the border.
Documents
An EU card licence is enough. For other nationalities, it depends on the agreement with the home country.
Season
Germany rides well from spring through autumn. In the south, altitude decides the season; in the rest of the country, it's mainly the rain.
Best season: May to October, Alps from May/June
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine region and foothills | Jan: Not rideable | Feb: Not rideable | Mar: Not rideable | Apr: Rideable, with limits | May: Best riding window | Jun: Best riding window | Jul: Best riding window | Aug: Best riding window | Sep: Best riding window | Oct: Rideable, with limits | Nov: Not rideable | Dec: Not rideable |
| Lowlands, low mountain ranges and coast | Jan: Not rideable | Feb: Not rideable | Mar: Rideable, with limits | Apr: Best riding window | May: Best riding window | Jun: Best riding window | Jul: Best riding window | Aug: Best riding window | Sep: Best riding window | Oct: Rideable, with limits | Nov: Rideable, with limits | Dec: Not rideable |
Roads & tracks
A dense, well-developed network with no tolls. The challenge isn't the road surface, it's the traffic and the speed.
100 % Paved
100 % Paved
100 % Paved
| Section | km | Surface | Condition | After rain | Daily distance | Fuel | Passes & altitude | Permits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| German Alpine Road (Lindau to Berchtesgaden) | – | 100 % Paved | Fully paved, very twisty, heavy tourist traffic in high season | A few sections in the Allgäu and Berchtesgadener Land get slippery with wet leaves and grit after rain | – | Frequent all along the route | Several passes around 1000 to 1200 m, plus the toll Rossfeld Panorama Road near Berchtesgaden at around 1600 m | none |
| Rossfeld Panorama Road (eastern loop of the German Alpine Road) | – | 100 % Paved | Toll road, open year-round according to the operator, highest point around 1600 m | Fog and visibility on this high road depend more on the weather than the road surface does | – | No filling station on the road itself, Berchtesgaden before and after | Around 1600 m | Toll for motorcycles around EUR 6 (as of 2024, check on the spot) |
| Black Forest High Road (B500), Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt | – | 100 % Paved | Popular, very twisty route through the northern Black Forest | Fog at higher elevations, otherwise not a concern | – | Available along the route | none | Periods of tighter speed enforcement on individual stretches due to noise complaints from residents |
Fuel
Filling up is never an issue anywhere in Germany. The only decision is which fuel grade.
Super E10 (95 octane)
Super E5 (95 octane)
SuperPlus (98 octane)
Diesel
| Fuel | Availability | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Super E10 (95 octane) | Available nationwide, standard grade | Up to 10% bioethanol, not suitable for every older motorcycle |
| Super E5 (95 octane) | Available nationwide alongside E10 | Maximum 5% bioethanol, usually the safer choice for older engines |
| SuperPlus (98 octane) | Available nationwide, often a bit more expensive | Recommended for high-compression engines |
| Diesel | Available nationwide | Relevant for support vehicles |
Health
No mandatory vaccinations, and medical care is of a high standard. The catch is the motorcycle clause in some policies.
Many travel and health insurance policies exclude riding motorcycles over 125cc or require an add-on. Check your policy before the trip, not only once you need to make a claim.
Packing list
Only what Germany adds on top. A general motorcycle packing list is assumed.
Most of our guided tours start or end in Germany. Here you'll find current tours starting with us.
2-Day Advanced Enduro Training, Level 3
1-Day Enduro Course for Women, Level 1
1-Day Enduro Trial Training, Germany
Neighbouring countries on the same route
Motourismo
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