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Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)/ UKVI accounts
As of 25 February 2026, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is mandatory for visitors travelling to the United Kingdom.
From that date, anyone who is required to have an ETA but does not have one will be turned away by the airline when checking in at an airport abroad. German citizens who also hold British or Irish citizenship must use their British or Irish passport to enter the UK. They do not need an ETA. Further information on all ETA-related matters can be found here.
If you already hold a visa or residence permit for the United Kingdom (for example, you hold EU settled status), you do not need an ETA to travel to the United Kingdom. However, it is essential that your UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) account is up-to-date. Therefore please check regularly (and particularly before travelling abroad from the United Kingdom) whether all the details in your UKVI account are up-to-date (passport number and expiry date, address, email address, telephone number). Further information on all eVisa-related matters can be found here.
Reminder for Germans Living in the UK: Check Your UKVI Account Before Travelling
All Germans with permanent residence in the United Kingdom are kindly asked to check their UKVI account in advance of any travel and ensure that their currently valid travel document is uploaded, to guarantee a smooth re-entry into the UK. Click here for more information.