Planning a trip from Germany to the sunny shores of Curaçao? Good news-your German passport gives you visa-free entry for stays of up to 90 days. But before you pack your bags, there's one important step many travelers overlook.
Visa-free does not mean paperwork-free. Every non-resident visitor, including German citizens, must fill out the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card before landing.
It's a quick, free online form, but skipping it can cause serious problems at the airport-or even before you board.
This guide walks German travelers through exactly what the DI Card is, why you still need it despite being visa-free, and how to complete it correctly the first time.
Do German citizens need a visa for Curaçao?
No. German citizens enjoy visa-free entry to Curaçao. As EU nationals, Germans can stay for up to 90 nights per visit, with a maximum of 180 days per calendar year.
That said, being visa-free covers only one part of your entry requirements. Curaçao immigration still requires every arriving non-resident to complete a separate travel form: the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card. This applies no matter your nationality, age, or reason for travel.
What is the Curaçao Digital Immigration Card?
The Curaçao Digital Immigration Card-often called the DI Card or ED Card-is a mandatory entry declaration for all non-resident visitors. It replaced the old paper Embarkation-Disembarkation (ED) Card back in October 2019.
Here's the key distinction: the DI Card is not a visa. It's a separate requirement that works alongside your visa status. Germans skip the visa, but they cannot skip the DI Card.
You complete the form online through the official portal, dicardcuracao.com, and it's completely free.
After you submit it, you'll receive a PDF confirmation by email. This document is what you present to immigration officers when you arrive.
Is the DI Card different from a visa?
Yes, and this trips up a lot of travelers. A visa grants you permission to enter a country. The DI Card, on the other hand, is an entry declaration that records your travel and personal details for immigration.
German citizens don't need a Dutch Caribbean visa for Curaçao. But the DI Card is a universal requirement-there are no nationality-based exemptions. Think of it as the digital version of the arrival card you might remember filling out on paper during a flight.
What information do you need to complete the Curaçao entry card?
Before you sit down to fill out the form, gather these details. The whole process takes about 5 to 10 minutes when you're prepared:
- Passport details: Full name exactly as it appears in your passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and expiry date
- Travel details: Flight number, airline, and arrival date
- Accommodation details: Full hotel name and address, or your host's full name, address, and phone number
- Email address: This is where your PDF confirmation will be sent
You don't need to upload any documents. The form only asks for information-you'll present your physical documents at immigration on arrival.
One important tip: enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport. No nicknames, no shortened versions. A mismatch between your DI Card and passport can cause delays at the border.
When should German travelers complete the DI Card?
You can submit the Curaçao immigration form up to 7 days before your departure. However, the recommended time is 24 to 48 hours before you fly, once your flight details are fully confirmed.
Why wait until closer to departure? If your flight changes, you'll want your DI Card to reflect the correct information. Submitting too early with an unconfirmed flight number often means you'll have to update it later anyway.
Each traveler needs their own individual form. This is a common mistake-families sometimes assume one form covers everyone. It doesn't. Every non-resident, including children and infants, requires a separate DI Card.
How to fill out the Curaçao travel form step by step
Completing the form is straightforward. Here's the process:
- Go to the official portal at dicardcuracao.com
- Choose to fill out a new DI Card, or retrieve your stored data if you've visited before
- Enter your personal details exactly as shown in your passport
- Add your travel details-flight number, airline, and arrival date
- Enter your accommodation information
- Provide your email address
- Review everything carefully, especially the spelling of your name
- Submit the form
- Save or print the PDF confirmation that arrives in your inbox
Returning visitors get a helpful shortcut. If you've completed a DI Card before, the system can retrieve your stored data. You'll only need to update your travel details for the new trip.
What documents do German citizens need on arrival?
The DI Card handles your pre-arrival declaration, but immigration officers may ask for supporting documents when you land at Curaçao International Airport (Hato Airport). Have these ready:
- Valid passport - the same one you used to complete the DI Card
- DI Card PDF - printed or saved on your phone
- Return or onward ticket - proof you'll be leaving
- Proof of accommodation - your hotel booking or host details
- Proof of sufficient funds - roughly USD 50 per day if staying in a hotel
Travel or medical insurance isn't mandatory, but it's strongly recommended. And if you're traveling with minors who aren't accompanied by both parents, bring a parental consent letter and birth certificate.
Avoid unofficial websites charging for a free form
Here's a warning worth taking seriously. Several unofficial third-party websites offer to complete the DI Card for you-for a fee. Some charge substantial amounts for a service that costs nothing on the official site.
The Curaçao Digital Immigration Card is completely free when you use dicardcuracao.com. If a website is asking for payment to submit the form, it's not the official portal. Always double-check the web address before entering any personal or passport information.
Your pre-departure checklist
Before you head to the airport, make sure you've done the following:
- Completed the DI Card at dicardcuracao.com for every traveler in your group
- Received the PDF confirmation by email
- Saved or printed the PDF so it's easy to access
- Gathered your passport, return ticket, and accommodation details
Keep in mind that some airlines check the DI Card at the departure gate before boarding. So having your confirmation ready isn't just for arrival-you may need it before you even leave Germany.
Complete Your DI Card Before You Fly
The DI Card is free and takes 5–10 minutes at the official portal.
Complete DI Card - Free ↗Frequently asked questions
No. German citizens have visa-free access to Curaçao for stays of up to 90 nights per visit. However, they still must complete the free Curaçao Digital Immigration Card before arrival.
No. The DI Card is an entry declaration required of all non-resident visitors, regardless of nationality. A visa grants permission to enter a country, while the DI Card records your travel details for immigration. German citizens need the DI Card but not a visa.
You can submit the form up to 7 days before departure. The recommended time is 24 to 48 hours before your flight, once your travel details are confirmed.
Yes. The DI Card is completely free when completed through the official portal, dicardcuracao.com. Be cautious of unofficial websites that charge a fee for this free service.
It's not recommended. You must present the DI Card PDF at immigration on arrival, and some airlines check it at the departure gate before boarding. Always have the confirmation printed or saved digitally before you leave for the airport.
Yes. Every non-resident traveler needs their own individual form, including children and infants. One form does not cover an entire family.
