What is the UK ETA for German Citizens?

The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) UK is digital permission for individuals to travel to the UK for short-term visits. Its main purpose is to make travel quicker and simpler, with a streamlined digital application process. The ETA makes it easier for travelers and secures the UK border control.

The UK ETA was first introduced in October 2023 for Qatari citizens and has expanded in phases to include citizens from many countries. For German citizens, and others from the EU, the ETA will become a requirement for any visit to the country from April 2, 2025. Applications for the ETA open to German citizens from March 5, 2025.

More importantly, the ETA is not a visa. Though German citizens could previously travel visa-free to the UK under the electronic visa waiver scheme, they will need to apply for the UK ETA going forward.

Applicants who receive the ETA can transit through or travel to the UK for:

  • Tourism, business, or short-term study (up to 6 months).
  • Under the Creative Worker Visa Concession (up to 3 months).
  • For permitted paid engagement, typically for performers and artists.
  • Having the UK as a stop in your journey to another country (transiting).

The UK ETA for EU citizens, including those from Germany, will fully replace the electronic visa waiver scheme in 2025. But don’t worry – the entire process is straightforward and this guide will take you through everything you need to know.

Statistics on German Visitors to the United Kingdom

Travel between the UK and EU countries is growing, particularly between the UK and Germany. In 2023:

  • The UK in 2023 alone, welcomed 3 million visits from Germany.
  • Travelers from Germany spent a record £1.8 billion in the UK during their travels.
  • There were 847 weekly aircraft departures from Germany to the UK from 18 different airports.

In 2023, 78% of the visits from Germany to the UK including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland were via an airplane. Remember that regardless of how you enter the UK, you must apply for an ETA if your travel plans are after April 2, 2025.

Advantages of the UK ETA

The UK electronic system for travel authorization is an improvement on the previous electronic visa waiver program, as it’s quick and easy to apply, cost-effective, and enables multiple entries.

Quick and Easy to Apply

The application for the UK ETA for German citizens can be completed online, with no need to visit an embassy or submit paper documentation. Once the ETA application has been submitted, applicants receive confirmation via email. In most cases, the ETA decision is issued within 3 business days.

Cost Effective

Applying for the ETA is much more cost-effective than applying for a visa. Including our professional service fees, you’ll only pay £78 per person to apply for the ETA to travel to the UK from Germany.

Multiple Entries Allowed

Once you’ve met all UK entry requirements and received your ETA, you’ll be able to enter the UK from Germany multiple times while the ETA is valid – usually for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

UK ETA Eligibility Criteria for German Citizens

While the UK ETA for EU citizens is not a visa, you must meet the eligibility criteria when you apply. For travelers entering the UK from Germany, the requirements are as follows.

  • German Citizenship You must be a citizen of Germany – or of any other country that’s eligible under the UK ETA scheme – to apply. This eligibility rule applies to everyone traveling in your group, even children. Each individual must submit an application.
  • Short-Term Travel The ETA is designed for short-term travel – if you intend to stay in the UK for longer than the ETA allows, you should apply for the relevant entry visa instead. Remember, you cannot stay in the UK for more than six months at a time with the ETA.
  • Valid Passport You will also need a valid passport to apply for the ETA. Make sure that your passport is valid for the entirety of your intended visit to the UK. Once your passport expires, the ETA attached to it will also expire.
  • Clean Criminal History You need a clean traveler and criminal history to be eligible for the ETA. If any of the following applies, your application is likely to be denied:
    • Subject to an exclusion or deportation order.
    • Criminal offense conviction resulting in a 12-month sentence (or longer).
    • Any criminal offense conviction, regardless of sentencing, in the last year.
    • Record of involvement with terrorism, extremism, or war crimes.
    • Record of breaching UK immigration laws.

UK ETA Application Process

The ETA for the UK application is a simple, three-step process. The entire application can be submitted in minutes and most applicants receive a response within 3 business days.

1

Complete the Application Form

Start by completing the application form. You will need to provide personal details, including your name, email, and address, as well as upload a copy of your passport and a personal photograph of your face.

2

Pay the Required Fees

The next step in the application is paying the fees to submit the ETA. These fees are non-refundable, whether your application is successful or not. You can choose to pay the UK ETA fees via credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

3

Receive Your UK ETA

Once your application is submitted online, there’s nothing else to do but wait. You do not need a face-to-face appointment to apply for the ETA. You will receive an email when your application has been successful and the ETA is linked digitally to your passport. You won’t receive any paperwork.

Requirements for the UK ETA Application

You must apply for your ETA before you leave Germany. Make sure you have these items to hand before you are ready to apply.

Passport

You will need a valid German passport to apply for the ETA. If you have dual nationality, you could also use a valid passport from another country that’s eligible under the UK ETA scheme.

Passport

Photo

The photo you upload during the application process is required for bio information. The photo must clearly show your face without distractions (e.g. glasses or hats). Make sure it is a recent photo, taken against a plain backdrop, ideally between 600 and 750 pixels, and 50KB and 5MB in file size.

Photo

Payment Method

Have your credit or debit card ready, or you can use Google or Apple Pay to pay for the ETA application. You will need to pay to submit the application, rather than when the application is received.

Payment Method

Email Address

Finally, it’s important to use a valid email address for your application. As the ETA for the UK application is entirely digital, you’ll receive your receipt and notice of acceptance/rejection for the ETA via your email account.

Email Address

UK ETA Fees and Processing Time

It costs £78 per person to apply for the ETA using our service. This includes the government fees plus our professional service fees. You can pay using one of the accepted payment methods on our site. This fee is non-refundable.

Make sure you apply for the ETA plenty of time before entering the UK from Germany. While most applications are approved or denied within 3 working days, some cases may take longer due to an increased demand.

UK ETA Validity and Duration of Stay

The UK ETA is valid from the date of approval. As a German citizen, you can apply for the ETA from March 5, 2025, and use it to enter the UK from April 2, 2025. Here’s what you need to know about using the ETA for the duration of your stay:

  • The ETA is valid for up to 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.
  • During that time, you can visit the UK for up to 6 months at a time.
  • The ETA is valid for multiple journeys to the UK – you don’t need to reapply for each visit as long as the ETA is still valid.

UK ETA: Renewal and Extension Options

Once you’re accepted for the ETA for the UK from Germany, you can travel to the UK for up to 2 years. When the ETA expires, you’ll need to submit a new application following the process above. 

There is no way to extend the ETA. If you’d like to stay in the UK for longer than six months at a time, or for a purpose other than tourism, you’ll need to apply for the relevant UK visa. Likewise, you cannot renew your ETA once it has expired – you need to fill in the application again from scratch, supplying up-to-date details and a recent photo.

UK ETA Refusals: Common Reasons and Solutions

If your application for the ETA has been refused, don’t panic. First, check for these common reasons why your ETA may have been refused:

  • Missing information or documents.
  • Misspelling key details, like your name, passport number, or date of birth.
  • Unsuitable image for biometrics (check if it’s in focus and clearly shows your face).

If you’ve made any of these mistakes, you can simply reapply for the ETA and pay the application fee again.

You will find the reason for your UK ETA refusal in the email you receive. Unfortunately, there is no right to appeal your ETA refusal as the decision to reject or refuse is handled by a human decision-maker. Your only option is to reapply.

If your case is refused, it could be due to a track of violation of immigration laws, a track of criminal record, or ineligibility to apply for an ETA. In this case, you should apply for the appropriate visa type according to your purpose of travel and duration of stay.

Traveling with a UK ETA: Important Details

Unlike traveling with a visa, the UK ETA is applied digitally to your passport. This means you don’t need to carry any paperwork with you. Here are some other important details you should know:

  • The ETA only applies to the passport you used for the application. If you try to travel to the UK using a different passport, the ETA will not show up and you will be unable to enter the country.
  • While the ETA is applied digitally, we always recommend printing a paper copy of your application and confirmation email. Keep this with a photocopy of your passport.
  • The UK ETA is designed to make travel streamlined, however, you’ll still need to pass through border control and they have the right to deny your entry if they see fit.
  • Once you’ve passed through border control, you can stay in the UK for up to 6 months.
  • You can contact the German embassy for advice if you have any troubles during your travels.
  • You cannot get married, claim benefits, work, or live in the country through successive visits on the ETA scheme!

Finally, we recommend you keep up to date with ETA UK news for the latest updates to the scheme before you travel.

FAQs

First, check if you need the ETA for short-term travel (up to 6 months). You can apply for the ETA or a visa online – the eligibility requirements will differ.

If you are traveling for tourism or short-term travel, you can apply for an ETA rather than a visa. The ETA is replacing the electronic visa waiver program for German citizens from 2025.

The ETA for the UK from Germany is the best option for most travelers. A visa is only required when you are traveling to the UK for more than 6 months at a time, or for purposes other than tourism.

No, the electronic travel authorization is digital permission to travel that’s linked to your passport. It is not a visa.

Yes, even if you’re only transiting through the UK on your travels elsewhere, you still need the UK ETA from Germany.