Germany passport United Kingdom
A general starting point on whether this pair typically needs a visa, e-visa or travel authorisation. Rules change - always confirm before you book.
- Visa-free
- UK ETA usually needed
Likely visa-free for visits
Passport holders from Germany can typically visit the UK visa-free for up to 6 months. Most visa-exempt nationalities now need a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before travelling, though British and Irish citizens do not - check gov.uk for your nationality.
- Length of stay
- Up to 6 months per visit
- Conditions
- Most visa-exempt nationalities need a UK ETA before travelling.
- Apply only on the official GOV.UK site or app.
- Passport valid for the whole of your stay.
Before you fly: UK ETA
- Who needs it:
- Visa-exempt visitors to the United Kingdom
- Cost:
- £20
- Valid for:
- 2 years, or until your passport expires
- Stay:
- Up to 6 months per visit
Every traveller needs their own, including babies and children. British and Irish citizens do not need one. Apply only on the official GOV.UK site or app. Since 9 April 2026 an ETA also covers Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
Figures checked 10 October 2026. Fees change - confirm on the official site.
Source: structural rules for the Schengen Area, the US Visa Waiver Program and UK visa exemption, plus the official source above. Entry-scheme details last checked 10 October 2026. This is a general guide, not a ruling - the destination's border authority decides.
Compare in the Visa Checker All visa guides
Quick answers
Does a Germany passport holder need a visa for United Kingdom?
Likely visa-free for visits. Passport holders from Germany can typically visit the UK visa-free for up to 6 months. Most visa-exempt nationalities now need a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before travelling, though British and Irish citizens do not - check gov.uk for your nationality.
How long can a Germany passport holder stay in United Kingdom?
Up to 6 months per visit. Stay limits depend on your purpose of travel, so confirm on the official source.
Do I need an online travel authorisation for United Kingdom?
UK ETA - Visa-exempt visitors to the United Kingdom. Cost: £20. Valid for: 2 years, or until your passport expires. Figures checked 10 October 2026; fees change, so confirm on the official site.
Where can I check the official entry requirements for United Kingdom?
GOV.UK - check if you need a UK visa (https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa) is the authority that decides. Rules change, so confirm there before you book.
Related checks
Other destinations for a Germany passport
Other passports travelling to United Kingdom
The rules that catch people out
The 90-in-180 rule
Schengen short stays are counted across the whole area, not per country. On any given day, look back 180 days: your days in Schengen must total 90 or fewer. Leaving and coming straight back does not reset it.
Border records
Since 10 April 2026 the EU Entry/Exit System has been fully operational at every external Schengen border. It records the entry and exit of non-EU short-stay travellers with a photo and fingerprints instead of passport stamps, so overstays are detected automatically.
Passport validity
Many countries require your passport to be valid for a set period beyond your departure date - three months beyond for Schengen, often six months elsewhere - and some also require it to have been issued within the last ten years (Schengen does). Check before you book, not at the airport.
Blank pages
Some countries refuse entry without one or two entirely blank visa pages. An almost-full passport is a real reason people get turned away.
Onward travel
Airlines are fined for carrying passengers who are refused entry, so they enforce these rules at check-in. Expect to be asked for proof of onward or return travel.
Entry-scheme fees and dates on this page were checked 10 October 2026.
Planning the trip to United Kingdom?
Worth booking before you go
Independent picks. We earn a small commission if you buy through these - at no extra cost to you. How this works.