ETA required
Germans need a UK ETA
ETA required for travel from 2 April 2025
German citizens lost visa-free-no-paperwork entry when the EU/EEA wave of ETA began for travel from 2 April 2025. A German passport now needs a £20 UK ETA for holidays, family visits and landside transit. This is not Schengen, and a German residence card does not replace it if you fly on another nationality. If you have EU Settlement Scheme status (settled or pre-settled), you already have UK permission — travel with the share code / physical proof the airline asks for, not an ETA. Eurostar is less common from Germany than from France, but any route that clears UK border control needs the right permission first.
German travel facts
| Passport | Germany |
|---|---|
| Roll-out | ETA required for travel from 2 April 2025 |
| What you need | UK ETA (£20) |
| Stay | Usually up to 6 months as a visitor |
| Work | Not allowed on visit permission |
| Landside transit | ETA required if you pass UK border control |
Mistakes germans make
- Showing only a German ID card. Airlines want the passport you linked to the ETA.
- Filing an ETA when you already have settled status — use the status, not an ETA.
London notes for German arrivals
Frankfurt and Munich flights use Heathrow T2 and T5 and London City. From City Airport, the DLR to Bank is faster than going via Heathrow. German Girocards with contactless usually tap on TfL; have a backup card.
FAQs
- I have EU settled status. Do I need an ETA?
- No. People with permission to stay in the UK do not use ETA for that travel.
- Can I enter on a German national ID card?
- Carriers and the border still expect the travel document you used in the ETA application — typically a passport.
Other passports
Bodhixt is not affiliated with UKVI. Confirm on GOV.UK before you book. Apply via https://www.gov.uk/eta only.