Home โบ Germany passport โบ United Kingdom
๐ฉ๐ช Does a German need a visa for the United Kingdom ๐ฌ๐ง?
No visa, but an ETA. German passport holders do not need a visa for the United Kingdom, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) online before travelling.
Rule updated from Wikipedia's โVisa requirements for German citizensโ (checked 2026-10-04); the older passport-index dataset (January 2025) listed Visa-free for up to 180 days. Entry rules change: confirm with the embassy of the United Kingdom or its official government website before you travel.
What this means for your trip
An ETA (electronic travel authorisation) is not a visa: it is an online pre-screening that airlines check before boarding.
It is normally approved within minutes to a few days; apply before you book non-refundable travel.
Your passport should normally be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date and have blank pages for stamps; many countries apply this rule.
United Kingdom at a glance
Capital: London ยท Currency: British pound (GBP, ยฃ) ยท Official languages: English ยท Calling code: +44
U.S. State Department travel advisory for the United Kingdom: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (updated 8 May 2025). It is written for U.S. citizens; read the advisory before you book.
Plugs and voltage
You need a travel adapter: the United Kingdom uses plug types G, Germany uses C, F.
More about entering the United Kingdom โ
Your embassy in the United Kingdom
If your passport is lost or stolen, or you need help in an emergency in the United Kingdom, contact the embassy of Germany:
- Embassy of Germany, London ยท uk.diplo.de
- Consulate General of Germany, Edinburgh ยท 16 Eglinton Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 5DG, Scotland ยท edinburgh.diplo.de
Missions from Wikidata (CC0), checked 2026-09-26. Addresses and opening hours change: check the mission's website before you go.
Easier destinations near the United Kingdom for German passport holders
- ๐ฉ๐ฐ Denmark โ Visa-free
- ๐ช๐ช Estonia โ Visa-free
- ๐ซ๐ฎ Finland โ Visa-free
- ๐ฎ๐ธ Iceland โ Visa-free
- ๐ฎ๐ช Ireland โ Visa-free
- ๐ฑ๐ป Latvia โ Visa-free
- ๐ฑ๐น Lithuania โ Visa-free
- ๐ณ๐ด Norway โ Visa-free
The other way round
๐ฌ๐ง British passport holders visiting Germany: British passport holders can visit Germany without a visa for up to 90 days.
The German passport at a glance
All destinations for Germany passport holders โ ยท Who needs a visa for the United Kingdom โ
Questions
Do German citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?
German passport holders do not need a visa for the United Kingdom, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) online before travelling.
Does a British need a visa for Germany?
British passport holders can visit Germany without a visa for up to 90 days.