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:

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.

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.

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?.

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: