Overview
The German Embassy in Beijing manages the bilateral relationship between Germany and China — the two countries are each other's largest trading partners in their respective regions. Germany is China's largest European trading partner and China is Germany's largest trading partner overall, with bilateral trade covering machinery, vehicles, electronics, chemicals and increasingly renewable energy technology. The embassy coordinates five consulates general across China — in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang and Hong Kong — making Germany's diplomatic network in China one of the most extensive of any European country. The Goethe-Institut Beijing and a dedicated science and innovation office complement the diplomatic mission.
Visa Services
The visa section processes Schengen and national visa applications for Chinese citizens. Applications are typically submitted through an external service provider. Categories include tourism, business, work, study, family reunification and research visas. The visa entrance is at Sanlitun Xiwujie/Corner Xindonglu, separate from the main embassy entrance.
Consular Services
The consular section provides passport and identity card services, notarial acts, document legalisation, civil registration and emergency assistance to German nationals across northern and central China. Emergency after-hours line: +86 10 8532 9202.
Trade & Export Support
The economic department supports the immense Germany-China trade relationship. Key sectors include automotive (Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz all have major operations in China), chemicals (BASF's Zhanjiang Verbund site is one of the largest foreign investments in China), machinery, electrical engineering and environmental technology. The German Chamber of Commerce in China (AHK) works closely with the embassy.
Investment Opportunities
The embassy promotes bilateral investment — supporting German investors in China and Chinese investors in Germany. Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) operates through the embassy network to attract Chinese investment into Germany.
Business Support
The embassy provides guidance to German companies navigating China's regulatory environment, including market access, intellectual property protection, and investment approval processes. It facilitates dialogue between German industry and Chinese authorities on trade policy.
Cultural & Educational Programs
The Goethe-Institut Beijing runs language courses, cultural events, film screenings and art exhibitions. DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) supports academic partnerships and scholarship programmes. The embassy's science section coordinates research cooperation between German and Chinese institutions in areas including climate, health and digitisation.
Service Area
The embassy's consular district covers Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Qinghai, Gansu, Xinjiang, Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hunan, Jiangxi and Shandong.
Appointment Information
All consular and visa services require an online appointment. Visa entrance: Sanlitun Xiwujie/Corner Xindonglu. Phone: +86 10 8532 9000. Emergency (after hours): +86 10 8532 9202.