NZeTA: the electronic travel authority
Since October 2019, EU citizens have needed to apply for an NZeTA before entering New Zealand. NZeTA stands for New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, and it isn't a visa in the classic sense but an electronic travel authorisation, comparable to the US ESTA or the Australian ETA.
You apply entirely online at nzeta.govt.nz or through the official NZeTA app. Passport number, passport photo, contact details, and personal questions about your criminal record and health. It usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.
Processing time: most applications are approved within 72 hours, often faster. Apply at least 72 hours before departure, ideally a week ahead. The NZeTA is tied to your passport and is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
IVL: the tourism levy
You pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy at the same time as the NZeTA application: 35 NZD per person (as of 2025). This levy goes toward protecting New Zealand's nature and its tourism infrastructure.
The IVL isn't optional and applies to all non-permanent residents entering on a tourist visa. The only exceptions are Australians resident in Australia and Working Holiday Visa holders, who pay the IVL as part of their visa application.
The amount is modest and well spent. The DOC campsite network, hiking trails, and conservation efforts for kiwi birds and other wildlife are partly funded by it.
Working Holiday Visa: what WHV travellers need to know
The Working Holiday Visa for New Zealand lets Germans, Austrians, and Swiss nationals up to age 30 work and travel in New Zealand for up to 12 months. It's applied for separately through the New Zealand immigration portal, immigration.govt.nz. The visa fee is around 208 NZD.
WHV holders don't need an NZeTA and pay the IVL as part of their visa application. Important for WHV travellers: you can work for a single employer for a maximum of 3 months in a row. This doesn't apply to farm work and certain other sectors.
At the airport: what to expect
Auckland International Airport is the biggest entry point, with Christchurch or Wellington as alternatives. At the airport there's a biometric immigration process with kiosks: scan your passport, photo, fingerprints. Most entries take 5 to 10 minutes.
Customs in New Zealand is strict, especially when it comes to food, plants, and soil. If something isn't declared and gets found: fines start at 400 NZD. Declare everything honestly. Fill out the customs form completely on the flight.
What you can't bring into New Zealand: fresh or opened food, live plants or seeds, used camping or outdoor gear with soil stuck to it. Customs dogs at the airport are trained to sniff out the last one.
Health insurance and health
New Zealand doesn't have a bilateral health insurance agreement with Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. If you need treatment in New Zealand, you pay for it yourself. Travel health insurance covering New Zealand is therefore strongly recommended.
Accident-related injuries, whether from traffic or hiking, are covered by New Zealand's ACC for everyone in the country. Illness-related treatment with no accident involved is exactly what your private travel insurance is for.
Vaccinations: there are no mandatory vaccinations for New Zealand. The standard vaccinations from the German immunisation schedule are enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long before my trip do I need to apply for the NZeTA?
- At least 72 hours, ideally a week in advance. In rare cases processing can take longer. You need to have the NZeTA before check-in at your departure airport.
- Does the NZeTA cover multiple entries?
- Yes, the NZeTA allows multiple entries within its 2-year validity period. If you take a short trip to Australia and come back, you don't need a new NZeTA.
- What happens if I forget my NZeTA?
- Without a valid NZeTA, the airline isn't allowed to check the passenger in under IATA rules. You need the NZeTA before departure, not just by the time you reach the immigration desk.