Business travel to Cologne, planned from Pakistan
Cologne’s exhibition centre, Koelnmesse, sits across the Rhine from the cathedral and hosts Anuga, the food and beverage fair where Pakistan’s rice, spice and processed-food exporters meet importers from every continent.
Cologne for business travellers from Pakistan
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visa | A Schengen short-stay (type C) visa. When Germany is the main destination, apply to the German Embassy Islamabad or, for residents of Sindh and Balochistan, the Consulate General in Karachi. |
| Passport | Valid for at least three months after the visa ends, signed, with previous passports. |
| Airport | Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is closest. Düsseldorf (DUS) and Frankfurt (FRA) have more long-haul connections and are linked by high-speed train. |
| Flight time | One stop from Pakistan, then train from Frankfurt or Düsseldorf if needed. |
| Working week | Monday to Friday. Shops close on Sundays and public holidays vary by federal state. |
| Fairs in 2027 | ISM (sweets and snacks) 31 January–3 February, IDS (dental) 16–20 March, FIBO 8–11 April, gamescom in late August and Anuga 9–13 October. |
| Money | Euro (EUR). Cards are widely accepted, but some restaurants and taxis still prefer cash. |
The food fair for Pakistani exporters
Anuga is held every two years, and the 2027 edition runs from 9 to 13 October at Koelnmesse. It is one of the main events for Pakistan’s basmati rice, spices, ready meals, frozen foods and halal products, both through the national pavilion and individual stands.
Exporters should bring product specifications, lab reports and certifications such as halal, HACCP and food-safety standards. Importers at Anuga often want shelf-life and labelling details before they talk price.
The rest of the calendar
Koelnmesse is in Deutz, on the east bank of the Rhine, with its own train station, Köln Messe/Deutz, served by high-speed and regional trains. The main station and cathedral are one stop away across the bridge.
- ISM for sweets and snacks, 31 January–3 February 2027
- IDS for the dental industry, 16–20 March 2027
- FIBO for fitness and health, 8–11 April 2027
- Anuga for food and beverages, 9–13 October 2027
- imm cologne and spoga+gafa for furniture and garden, on their own cycles
Cologne and Düsseldorf in one trip
Cologne and Düsseldorf are less than 40 minutes apart by train, so many Pakistani teams visit a fair in one city and buyers in the other. Bonn, the former capital, is about 20 minutes south and has UN offices and federal ministries. If both cities have fairs in the same week, compare hotel rates in each before booking.
Hotels and carnival
During Anuga, hotels in Cologne fill early and many visitors stay in Düsseldorf, Bonn or Leverkusen. Cologne’s carnival peaks in February, around the week before Lent, when the city is crowded and some offices close; avoid booking meetings on those days. Most meetings with importers happen at the fair or at their warehouses in the region, so plan a car for visits outside the city.
How Go Global manages a Cologne trip
Fair check
We confirm whether the fair is held this year.
Visa
The German Schengen file with the fair named.
Hotels
Cologne, Düsseldorf or Bonn, depending on price and access.
Samples
Food samples and documents planned with your freight forwarder.
After the trip
One invoice and a trip record.
Cologne business travel questions
When is Anuga 2027?
From 9 to 13 October 2027 at Koelnmesse in Cologne. Anuga is held every two years.
Which airport is best for Cologne?
Cologne Bonn is closest, but Düsseldorf and Frankfurt often have better connections from Pakistan, with fast trains to Cologne.
Can we bring food samples to Anuga?
Check EU import rules and the fair’s rules for exhibitors. Many food products need documents or are restricted, so plan samples with your forwarder.
Is Bonn worth adding to the trip?
If you have meetings with UN offices, development agencies or federal ministries based there, yes. It is about 20 minutes from Cologne.
More fair and visa guides
Planning a trip to Cologne?
Tell us who is travelling, when and why. We reply with a plan, the visa route and a quote. Go Global has handled 100,000+ trips, and our team works 24/7 for travellers on the road. Email insights@goglobal.pk or WhatsApp 0320-4111222.