Iran Tours for German Citizens

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Iran Tours for German Citizens

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Federal Foreign Office travel warning: On 2 November 2026 Germany’s Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) warns against travel to Iran and asks German nationals in Iran to leave the country (advice dated 1 November 2026, unchanged since 29 October 2026). It says German nationals face a concrete risk of arbitrary arrest, interrogation and long prison sentences, and that staff of the German Embassy in Tehran have been temporarily relocated and cannot currently guarantee consular help. A guided tour does not remove these risks. Read the current advice from the Auswärtiges Amt before you make any plans.

If you are planning for a time when the warning is lifted, ask SURFIRAN whether an itinerary is feasible, but do not treat a visa or a trip as confirmed until the visa is issued. Deutschsprachige Informationen finden Sie auf unserer Seite Iran Reisen.

Small Group Journeys for German Travellers

Our small group tours take a maximum of six travellers on one fixed itinerary with one guide. Every departure depends on visa approval and on the travel advice at the time.

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Planning from Germany: Documents, Flights and Money

Entry rules for German passport holders, the airline sanctions that matter when you book, and other points from the Federal Foreign Office. For all departures, see our Iran tours.

An e-visa, not a sticker in your passport

German nationals need a visa to enter Iran. The Federal Foreign Office explains that the visa is issued electronically and is not stuck into the passport: you carry a printout. You apply in advance on the Iranian e-visa portal, which says processing takes up to 10 business days and that some applicants are interviewed. The Foreign Office strongly advises against relying on a visa on arrival, because there is no reliable information that the process has worked smoothly since the pandemic. Our partner service OrientTrips handles visa applications. Approval is never guaranteed. For the full entry rules, read our guide to the Iran visa for German citizens.

Bring your passport, not your ID card

Your passport (Reisepass), provisional passport or children’s passport must be valid for at least six months when you enter Iran. The German identity card (Personalausweis) and provisional identity card are not accepted.

Flights and EU sanctions

This is the point most specific to German travellers. The Federal Foreign Office notes that EU sanctions have applied to Iran Air, Mahan Air and Saha Airlines since October 2024, that their flights to the EU have stopped, and that providing funds to EU-listed entities, for example by paying for a ticket, is punishable in Germany under section 18 of the Foreign Trade and Payments Act (AWG). Check the airline before you buy any ticket, including domestic flights inside Iran. Where it helps, we plan the legs between cities by road or by rail instead.

Insurance is an entry requirement

The Foreign Office states that health and accident insurance, from an Iranian or a German insurer, is required for your stay. Ask your insurer to confirm Iran cover in writing.

Dual German and Iranian nationals

Iranian authorities do not recognise dual nationality. Dual nationals can only enter and leave Iran on an Iranian passport, and consular access is regularly refused. The Foreign Office says dual nationals are at particular risk of arrest. Read its guidance before you book anything.

Who is at higher risk

The Foreign Office says individual travellers are particularly exposed, and that adventure travel by bicycle, motorbike or camper van carries an especially high risk. It also warns that private social media posts have led to serious charges. Keep this in mind when you plan, whether you travel alone or with a group.

Tours with a history and landscape focus

These itineraries suit travellers who want depth on Iran’s ancient sites, nomad culture and wild landscapes:

Prefer your own dates? See our Iran private tours.

Private and Tailor-Made Tours from Germany

Travel on your own dates with a private guide and driver, at the pace that suits you. See all Iran private tours.

SURFIRAN Reviews

Most we enjoyed the landscape and wildlife we saw, it was just amazing and not comparable with nature we found in Germany and Europe, one of my greatest experiences! Second we enjoyed the kindness of you guys (Mehdi, Negin and her family, and the two houses we stayed) it was like meeting family and friends :)

We really enjoyed the whole trip with you guys: the landscape and wildlife were fascinating. The organization by Surf Iran was perfect and well done, we are grateful all our wishes and ideas were considered in the best way. Our hosts Mahmoud, Azar and Negin were such friendly, hospitably and had best knowledge of the region and wildlife, good to had you! Furthermore it was so good to write with you and get some help even after our trip when we were on Qeshm and Bandar Abbas, thank you a lot!
Best wishes,
Christian, Robin and Tim

Christian Robin and Tim
Christian, Robin and TimGermany

I took 9-Day Iranian Culture and Heritage Small Group Tour from April 27th through May 5th 2018 with Surfiran tour company. I spend 2 extra days in Tehran before the tour. Complimentary scenic day tour on private train to Alborz mountains north of Tehran is included in every tour with Surfiran.

I also visited Shiraz, Persepolis, Yazd, Isfahan, Kashan and small cities in between. I was amazed by magnificent architectural and cultural heritage of Iran, and its beautiful nature and kind people. I was joined by another tourist from Germany, so my tour was almost private for the price of a group tour. As US citizen I felt very comfortable in Iran all the time during my tour.

Iranian people which I met treated me extremely warm and friendly. I stayed in good quality hotels in the center of visited cities, breakfasts were plentiful and tasty. On recommendation of my guide Hossein I tried different cuisine in authentic Persian restaurants.

Hossein provided exceptional information about culture and history, always tried to show something unique and interesting. The whole tour was well organized by Surfiran and by sales manager Farzaneh Sarafraz, who guided me through visa application process and answered multiple questions. I definitely recommend Surfiran as a travel company to visit Iran.

Mark YampolskyVisited May 2018–TripAdvisor

My trip was not an ordinary tourist trip to Iran visiting the sights of the ancient civilization if the country. I was interested in the equine activities n the country due to the fact that I had been a horse trainer working for the Court in the 1970s. SURFIRAN did a great job in satisfying my desires.

I not only met up with old friends in the horse world but it was arranged for me to visit shows, polo matches, races and many horse farms and clubs. Their guides, driver and personnel were the best. I highly recommend this agency.

Gail ThompsonVisited October 2017–TripAdvisor

My husband and I just returned from our tour a few days ago so every experience we had is still fresh in our minds.

SURFIRAN arranged the tour just for the two of us. Though we had an itinerary, there was flexibility. From the day we stepped into Iran to the day we left, we were given very personalised service. Farzaneh, Sajad and Alireza are people we will long remember.

Never have we ever been to a country (and we gave been to more than a hundred) where we were greeted with warmth almost everywhere we went! People on the streets, in the museums, on the trains, at the airport; everywhere. The traffic in Tehran may seemed chaotic but it is somehow it flowed smoothly.

Out of bustling Tehran there’s so much to feast the eyes. The ancient sights, the old buildings, the bazaars, the museums, the traditional accomodations, the desert and not forgetting the food! With two days extention on our own, we had 11 wonderful days in Iran!

SURFIRAN Read Reviews
Irene OngVisited February 2017

My colleague and I are in tea business. We are working on a book about the stories of people behind your cup of tea. We were looking for someone to help us getting introduced to the tea industry and show us around in Gilan. SURFIRAN arranged everything for us: the contacts, the meetings, the cultural activities and the logistics.

We were overwhelmed by the friendliness, the hospitality and the professional approach of both the team of SURFIRAN in Teheran and the guides they work with.

It was business, but it never felt like that. It felt like coming home. We are already planning a next tour with a group!

DeirdreVisited August 2017–TripAdvisor
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FAQs: Iran Tours for German Citizens

On 2 November 2026 the Federal Foreign Office warns against travel to Iran and asks German nationals there to leave. Check the current Auswärtiges Amt advice before making any plans.

Yes. Germans need a visa, issued electronically through the Iranian e-visa portal and carried as a printout rather than stuck into the passport. Approval is not guaranteed.

The Federal Foreign Office strongly advises against relying on a visa on arrival. Apply for the e-visa before you travel.

No. Iran accepts a German passport, provisional passport or children’s passport valid for at least six months on entry. The Personalausweis is not accepted.

EU sanctions apply to Iran Air, Mahan Air and Saha Airlines, their EU flights have stopped, and paying such listed entities can be an offence under German law (section 18 AWG). Check the airline before you buy any ticket.

The Federal Foreign Office says embassy staff have been temporarily relocated out of Iran and consular help cannot currently be guaranteed.

Iran does not recognise dual nationality. Dual nationals must use an Iranian passport, consular access is regularly refused, and the Foreign Office says they face particular risk. Read its guidance before booking.

Yes. The Federal Foreign Office says health and accident insurance is required for your stay. Get written confirmation that your policy covers Iran.