What is the Verpflichtungserklärung?

If someone invites you to Germany for a short time, they can submit a declaration of commitment for you. This is called Verpflichtungserklärung. This is especially useful if you cannot pay for the cost of your stay in Germany by yourself. The declaration of commitment / formal obligation letter is generally recognised by German missions abroad for up to 6 months after it has been issued. Read more about how and where to get Verpflichtungserklärung.

If you want to enter Germany as a visitor (up to 90 days) or for a longer stay (studying, marriage, etc), you need to prove that you have sufficient funds to support your stay. Someone else that you know can provide a Verpflichtungserklärung for you instead. This means they are legally responsible to support you in case you run out of money.

When you submit your visa application in your home country, you also submit the original Verpflichtungserklärung. Someone who obtains this document in Germany must send the original to you. When your visa application is approved or declined, the consulate / embassy will return this document to you. You must show it to the Immigration / Border Control in Germany when you enter, along with other documents.

The person who applies Verpflichtungserklärung for you must provide these documents when applying:

Proof of income / last 3 salary slips or bank statements if they are employed
Last tax assessment if they are self employed & a current tax assessment certified by a tax advisor
Proof of health insurance
Copy of their ID or / and Passport
Copy of your ID or / and Passport

Here is a sample Verpflichtungserklärung that was issued:

Sample Verpflichtungserklärung for my tourist visa

Pages that mention Verpflichtungserklärung

Other sources

Berlin.de