What is a UK ETA for German Citizens?

The United Kingdom (UK) electronic travel authorization (ETA) for German citizens is a digital travel permission that allows German nationals to travel to the UK for specific purposes such as tourism, business, and short study courses. While German nationals could previously travel to the UK without obtaining prior approval, they must now have an ETA for the UK before they arrive in the country. 

The UK ETA system was launched in October 2023 for Qatari citizens to travel to the UK. In February 2024, it was extended to include nationals from Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. In the latest ETA for the UK news, the UK government expanded the reach of the ETA to include 83 new countries. The UK government decided to include all non-visa nationalities including  49 non-European nationalities, including American and Canadian, and 34 European nationalities, including German, French, Italian, and more. The UK ETA for European citizens is the same as for non-European citizens.

Starting April 2, 2025, all German nationals must apply for a UK ETA from Germany to travel to the UK. Applications open March 5, 2025, giving travelers plenty of time to prepare for their upcoming travels in the new year. 

It’s important to note that the UK ETA is not a long-stay visa or a residency permit. It is a multiple-entry digital travel permit that allows holders to stay for short periods (up to 6 months) over a period of two years. The ETA is digitally linked to the holder’s passport and will become void if the passport expires before the two-year period.

The UK ETA is only intended for certain travel purposes. A UK ETA allows German nationals to travel to the UK for short stays of up to 6 months for the following purposes:

  • To engage in tourism, visit family and friends, conduct a short business trip, or enroll in a short study course (up to 6 months).
  • To travel on a Creative Worker visa concession for up to three months.
  • To participate in permitted paid engagements such as business or academic conferences, sales meetings, or other related activities.
  • To transit through the UK, even if the holder doesn’t cross the border.

German Visitors Statistics to the United Kingdom

The UK is a very popular destination for German nationals. In 2023, the UK welcomed 3 million visits from Germany. Their total spending in the UK during 2023 was a massive £1.8 billion, with an average spend of £619 per person, which is a record for this market. While Germans make 80% of visits from Germany, 20% are made by British nationals returning home to see family and friends. 

German citizens come to the UK primarily to see contemporary culture, such as art exhibitions and music events, sports, historical cities and buildings, and heritage. They appreciate the cinema, music, and cultural venues of the UK. They are open to receiving recommendations from locals and prefer to stay in accommodations with charm and character. 

With 847 weekly departures from Germany to the UK, it’s convenient for German nationals to travel to the UK from Germany. There are 18 airports with direct flights between the two countries, so it’s no wonder that 78% of German visits arrive by air. Still, there are other ways to travel between the two countries – 17% of the population arrives by sea, and 5% arrives through the Channel Tunnel.

Benefits of the UK ETA for German Citizens

Obtaining a UK ETA has many benefits for German citizens. The following are some of the top advantages of this travel permission:

Quick turnaround time

The application process is quick and easy. It takes less than an hour and can be completed entirely online. Plus, most applications are processed within just a few hours, despite the official processing time of three working days.

Cost-effective

The UK ETA offers excellent value for German citizens. With just one application, travelers receive a validity of two years, meaning a one-time payment covers multiple trips to the UK within that period, making it a cost-efficient option for frequent travelers.

Increased safety

The UK ETA makes the country’s borders more secure for everyone living there and visiting. It also ensures that all travelers to the UK are pre-vetted for any criminal history or immigration violations. 

Flexible travel options

It allows for multiple entries into the UK over a period of two years, provided each stay is for less than 6 months and all visitors abide by the eligibility requirements. While German nationals cannot work or live in the UK on this permit, they can engage in tourism, short study courses, business conferences, and much more.

UK ETA Eligibility Criteria for German Citizens

The following are the eligibility requirements that all German citizens must meet to have the best chance at a successful application: 

1

Valid citizenship

Applicants must be citizens of Germany, or an ETA-eligible country, in order to apply for the UK ETA. They must be able to upload a digital copy of their passport during the application process. This passport must be valid for at least 6 months from their intended departure to the UK.

2

Duration of travel

German nationals who plan to stay or work in the UK for more than 6 months at a time should not apply for a UK ETA. They should seek out the appropriate work or study visa. They should only obtain a UK ETA if they plan to spend 6 months or less in the UK during each trip.

3

Clean criminal record

All German applicants for the UK ETA will ideally possess a clean criminal record. Of course, there are exceptions for those with minor criminal convictions. In general, the rule is as follows:

  • The application can be refused if the applicant was convicted of a crime anywhere in the world and received a sentence of 12 months or more.
  • The application can be refused if the applicant was convicted of a crime anywhere in the world within the last 12 months (from the application date). 
  • You do not need to mention convictions for activities that are legal in the UK, for example, trade union membership.

UK ETA Validity and Duration of Stay

The UK ETA for German citizens is valid for up to two years and allows for stays of up to 6 months in the UK. The ETA is a multiple-entry travel permit, which will enable holders to travel several times within the two-year validity period. If you do not overstay the 6-month permitted duration of stay, you can benefit from the flexibility and extended validity of the UK ETA. 

It’s important to note that the UK ETA is valid for up to two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first. This is why applicants must try to use a passport that will be valid for more than two years when they apply. This will allow them to make full use of their UK ETA. 

UK ETA Requirements for German Nationals

In order to successfully obtain a UK ETA, German nationals must meet certain requirements. These include documents that are essential for the ETA for the UK application process. The following are the general requirements all German nationals must meet when applying for the UK ETA: 

Passport

All German nationals must possess a valid passport and be able to provide a digital copy of the biographic page. It’s highly recommended that applicants double-check the validity of their passports before applying. If the expiration is in less than two years, they will not get the full benefits of the UK ETA.

Passport

Photo

Applicants must provide a digital personal photo that meets the standard guidelines. It must be clear, unedited, and include the applicant’s head and shoulders. Digital photographs must be at least 600 x 750 pixels and between 50 KB and 10 MB.

Photo

Payment method

For the UK ETA application to be processed, applicants must pay the application fee. This can be done using a valid form of payment, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a valid credit or debit card. Applicants are advised to ensure they have sufficient funds before the application process is started.

Payment method

Email address

All German applicants must provide a valid email address. This should be an email that is accessible and checked regularly. All application correspondence, including the final decision, will be sent to this email.

Email address

Applying for a UK ETA for German Citizens

The application process for the UK ETA for German citizens is very straightforward. The following are the basic steps applicants can take to complete their UK ETA application: 

1

Fill Out the application form

All German nationals applying for the UK ETA will apply online. They must complete the application form with the required biographic and contact details.

2

Attach the required documents

  • During the application process, German nationals must upload a copy of their passport and a personal photo that meets the standard guidelines.
  • All size and format guidelines for the digital attachments can be found at the application link above.
3

Pay the application fee

  • German nationals must pay the application fee of £70 before submitting their UK ETA application.
  • Payments can be made using a valid credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
4

Submit the application

Applicants should double-check that all application sections are completed accurately and reviewed before submission. This includes the biographic and contact details.

5

Receive your ETA

If approved, German applicants will receive the approval for their UK ETA application by email. If the application is rejected, they will receive an email as well.

UK ETA Processing Time and Fees for German Citizens

The official processing time for the UK ETA is three working days. However, most applications are processed within just a few hours. This is one of the most rapid turnaround times for any travel permit. 

The UK ETA application fee is £70. This covers the full spectrum of our professional application support and service fees, as well as the UK government fees.

Traveling to the UK with an ETA: Key Details

  • The UK ETA is digitally linked to the holder’s passport. Therefore, holders must use the same passport they used when applying for the ETA to travel to the UK. This applies especially to those with multiple passports.
  • The UK ETA is a travel permit that allows holders to travel to the UK. It does not guarantee entry into the country. This is determined by the border officials at the port of entry. Border officials will verify that the passport and UK ETA are linked, and may ask additional questions. They may also ask for other documents. Travelers from Germany should be prepared to cross the border cooperatively when they arrive in the UK.
  • After passing border control, German nationals with a UK ETA are free to enjoy their trip in the UK for up to 6 months. They can visit many tourist destinations, see friends and family, or even learn a new skill in a short study course. They can explore the UK and get a taste of what England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have to offer!

FAQ

German nationals can apply for the ETA for the UK from Germany, from the comfort of their home or office. The UK ETA application can be completed entirely online making it a secure and convenient means of obtaining the travel permit.

German nationals enjoy traveling to the UK visa-free. As of April 2, 2025, they will be required to obtain a UK ETA, which allows them to visit for stays of up to 6 months over a period of two years. An ETA for the UK is not a visa but rather a digital travel permit that helps keep track of the visitors entering the UK from Germany and other countries.

As of April 2, 2025, all German nationals must hold a valid UK ETA or a UK visa, depending on the purpose of their trip. They should also meet the general requirements such as having a clean criminal record and being eligible to travel internationally.

This allows them to travel to the UK. At the border, they must present the passport they used to apply for their travel document, as well as any other necessary documents. They will also need to answer some questions posed by the border officials and provide any additional information as requested.

The ETA is a digital travel permit that is linked to the holder’s passport. It is intended for short stays of up to 6 months for specific purposes. A visa is a travel document that tends to be more specialized for work, study, or business. A visa typically allows for various durations of stay depending on the type of visa and the purpose of the trip. There are many different types of visas, while there is just one type of UK ETA.

If the UK ETA is rejected, it means that the application was probably determined invalid due to errors, missing information, or technical issues. The applicant will be notified of this decision and will be given the chance to address the issues and reapply for a new ETA.

If the application is refused, however, this means that the applicant was found to be unsuitable to receive a UK ETA. This may be due to security concerns or failing to meet the standard requirements for eligibility. In this case, the applicant must find an alternate route to travel to the UK, such as a UK visa.

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