Germany’s Federal Foreign Office refreshed its China travel advisory on 25 July, explicitly reminding citizens that they may enter mainland China visa-free for stays up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. The visa-free concession, part of Beijing’s unilateral trial covering 48 countries, was first announced last November but had led to confusion after several regional Chinese consulates continued to require appointments. The new posting consolidates guidance, directing travellers to verify requirements with their nearest Chinese mission and to register with the police within 24 hours of arrival if lodging in private accommodation. For corporate mobility managers, the clarification reduces lead-time for short-notice travel involving German engineers, auditors and sales teams. However, the advisory also warns that exit bans may be imposed on foreigners involved in civil or criminal disputes and reiterates strict rules against unlicensed VPN use. Companies should therefore continue to issue China-specific IT-security handbooks and ensure contracts designate Chinese arbitration venues to minimise litigation risk. The business community welcomed the update. The German Chamber of Commerce in China noted that Schengen processing times for Chinese visitors remain lengthy and urged reciprocal easing by Berlin. Travel-management companies predict a 15 percent rise in last-minute bookings for the August-October trade-fair season. Travellers are advised to carry print-outs of the advisory in both German and English to present at airline check-in where uncertainty persists.
