UK ETA Germany: Do Germans need an ETA for the UK?.

UK ETA Germany: Do Germans need an ETA for the UK?

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UK ETA Germany: Do Germans need an ETA for the UK?

New travel rules alert! UK ETA Germany changes how Germans visit the UK. Now, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is required for short stays. But what exactly is the UK ETA? How does it work, and who needs to apply? In this Global Law guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about the UK ETA for German citizens, including application steps, validity, exemptions, and what happens if you don’t have one.

Do Germans need an ETA for the UK?

Yes, from 2 April 2025, German citizens will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK for short visits. This includes trips for tourism, business, short-term study, family visits, or transit. The ETA is not a visa but a digital travel permit required before departure.

If a German citizen plans to live, work, or stay long-term in the UK, they will need a UK visa instead of an ETA, such as:

Find out which UK visa you need

What is my Nationality?
Where am I going?

What is the UK ETA & what does it mean for Germans?

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new digital travel permit that will be required for visa-exempt travelers, including German citizens and other EU citizens, from 2 April 2025. It is not a visa, but a mandatory pre-travel approval that allows short-term visits to the United Kingdom.

For German travelers, the ETA means that visiting the UK will now require an application before departure. Germans can still travel visa-free, but they must apply for and receive ETA approval before their trip.

The ETA will be valid for two years and allows multiple visits to the UK, with a maximum stay of six months per visit. It applies to trips for tourism, business, family visits, short-term study, and transit, but does not allow work.

UK ETA Germany: Do Germans need an ETA for the UK?.

German citizens do not need an ETA if they:

  • Hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

  • Have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.

  • Have a frontier worker permit.

  • Are an S2 Healthcare Visitor.

  • Are traveling with a Service Provider from Switzerland visa (for Swiss nationals).

If you have German citizenship but hold one of these exemptions, you do not need to apply for an ETA.

Without an approved UK ETA, German citizens will not be allowed to travel to the United Kingdom.

UK ETA Germany applications

For an error-free UK ETA Germany applications, Global Law provides expert guidance to help ensure your application is accurate, complete, and processed without delays.

To avoid mistakes that could lead to delays or rejections,

How long is the UK ETA valid for German citizens?

  • The UK ETA is valid for two years or until your passport expires—whichever comes first.

  • It allows multiple visits to the UK within this period.

  • Each stay can be up to six months per visit.

If your passport expires, you must apply for a new ETA with your new passport.

Traveling to the UK from Germany with an ETA

Once approved, German travelers do not need to print anything—the ETA is automatically linked to their passport.

At the UK border, German travelers can:

  • Use ePassport gates for faster entry.

  • Present their passport at immigration.

UK ETA Germany: Do Germans need an ETA for the UK?.
Image credit: Home Office/YouTube

The passport used for the ETA application must match the one used for travel. If you renew your passport, you must reapply for an ETA.

Do I need ETA for UK? Check with our tool.

What happens if you don't have a UK ETA?

If a German traveler does not have an approved ETA, they will not be allowed to board their flight, ferry, or train to the UK. Airlines and transport operators will check for ETA approval before departure.

To avoid delays or travel disruptions, it is recommended to apply for an ETA at least a week before your trip.

Countries requiring a UK ETA:

  1. Andorra

  2. Antigua and Barbuda

  3. Argentina

  4. Australia

  5. Austria

  6. The Bahamas

  7. Bahrain

  8. Barbados

  9. Belgium

  10. Belize

  11. Botswana

  12. Brazil

  13. Brunei

  14. Bulgaria

  15. Canada

  16. Chile

  17. Costa Rica

  18. Croatia

  19. Cyprus

  20. Czechia

  21. Denmark

  22. Estonia

  23. Finland

  24. France

  25. Germany

  26. Greece

  27. Grenada

  28. Guatemala

  29. Guyana

  30. Hungary

  31. Iceland

  32. Israel

  33. Italy

  34. Japan

  35. Kiribati

  36. Kuwait

  37. Latvia

  38. Liechtenstein

  39. Lithuania

  40. Luxembourg

  41. Macao (SAR)

  42. Malaysia

  43. Maldives

  44. Malta

  45. Marshall Islands

  46. Mauritius

  47. Mexico

  48. Micronesia (Federated States of)

  49. Monaco

  50. Nauru

  51. Netherlands

  52. New Zealand

  53. Nicaragua

  54. Norway

  55. Oman

  56. Palau

  57. Panama

  58. Papua New Guinea

  59. Paraguay

  60. Peru

  61. Poland

  62. Portugal

  63. Qatar

  64. Romania

  65. Samoa

  66. San Marino

  67. Saudi Arabia

  68. Seychelles

  69. Singapore

  70. Slovakia

  71. Slovenia

  72. Solomon Islands

  73. South Korea

  74. Spain

  75. St Kitts and Nevis

  76. St Lucia

  77. St Vincent and the Grenadines

  78. Sweden

  79. Switzerland

  80. Taiwan (if passport includes ID card number)

  81. Tonga

  82. Tuvalu

  83. United Arab Emirates

  84. United States

  85. Uruguay

  86. Vatican City

  • Posted on: 06.03.2025
  • By: Eray Eliacik
  • uk
  • uk eta

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About the author

.

Eray Eliacik

Eray is a seasoned writer and passionate traveler who has explored over 20 countries. With firsthand experience navigating visas and international travel, and a proven track record with reputable platforms like Dataconomy and Softonic, Eray now makes it easier for travelers to achieve their travel goals.

Eray Eliacik

Eray Eliacik

Mar 06, 2025

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