A Complete Guide to UK Visa Regulations for German Citizens
Table of contents
- Table of contents
- What is a UK Visa for German Citizens?
- What Is the UK ETA?
- UK Visa Types for German Nationals
- UK Visa Requirements for German Citizens
- How to Apply For A UK Visa From Germany
- UK Visa Processing Times for German Citizens
- UK Visa Fees for German Citizens
- UK Visa for Residents of Germany
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UK Visa for German Citizens?
A UK visa for German citizens allows you to enter the UK legally, depending on your purpose of travel. Previously, German citizens could enter the UK without a visa, but following Brexit, the Visa requirements for German citizens looking to travel to the UK have changed considerably. The current UK Visa regulations divide the willing German passport holders into two categories - short-term visitors and long-term visitors.
Short Term - Less Than 6 Months
German citizens still don't need a traditional visa when travelling to the UK for short trips of less than six months. However, you'll need to obtain an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before entering (we'll be discussing the ETA in detail in the next section). This applies to travel for tourism, short business visits, and other brief stays of less than six months.
Long Term - More Than 6 Months
German citizens who are looking to stay more than six months in the UK fall under the second category, referred to as long-term visitors, and will need to obtain a UK visa. The exact type of required UK visa will depend on the purpose and length of your visit.
What Is the UK ETA?
By definition, the ETA is a digital entry permit to the UK. It's specifically designed for countries that didn’t need a UK visa to visit the country. It acts as a buffer, giving the UK authorities a chance to run pre-screening checks before a visitor boards a plane to the UK.
While the ETA is not a visa in the traditional sense, it is now essential for a German passport holder for short-term stays in the UK. It applies to visits for tourism, short business trips, brief academic courses, or simply passing through the UK on the way to another destination, if the traveller will go through border control.
ETA Requirements for German Citizens
German citizens must obtain an ETA if they're planning to visit the UK for…
- Up to six months for tourism, business meetings, short educational courses, or permitted paid activities.
- Engaging in short-term creative work under the Creative Worker Visa concession for up to 3 months.
- Transit through the UK, if going through border control when transiting.
Here’s what you'll require while applying for an ETA.
- A valid passport.
- A recent digital passport-style photo.
- Basic personal information, contact details, and travel date information.
- Answers to a set of background and security questions.
- A valid email address to receive your ETA decision on.
- A valid payment method to pay the ETA fees.
You can apply for an ETA simply by filling in the application form and uploading the required documents. The cost will be slightly higher using our service, but you’ll get expert advice and a streamlined process.
Step-by-Step Application Process
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Fill in the application form on our website with your personal details.
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Upload the required documents, which are your passport photo and your personal photo.
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Double-check that all of your information is correct.
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Complete the payment process for the ETA using a valid payment method.
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Submit the application.
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If approved, you will receive your ETA via email.
Most applicants receive a decision within three working days. However, it's a good idea to apply well in advance of your trip.
How Long Is the ETA Valid for?
Once approved, an ETA is valid for two years or until the passport it’s linked to expires – whichever happens first. During that period, German citizens can make multiple short visits to the UK, but each individual stay must not exceed six months.
What You Can & Can’t Do with an ETA
The ETA allows you to perform a number of activities in the UK, such as:
- Tourism and visiting friends and family.
- Business visits, such as attending conferences or meetings.
- Studying short courses.
- Working under the Creative Worker Visa concession.
- Taking part in approved short-term paid activities.
- Transit through the UK if you will be passing through border control.
Here's what you can't do with an ETA and will require a full UK visa…
- Working in the UK for a UK employer.
- Staying longer than six months.
- Using multiple visits to effectively live in the UK.
- Getting married or entering a civil partnership.
- Accessing public funds.
Who Doesn’t Need an ETA?
Not every German citizen will need an ETA. Exceptions include…
- Those with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
- Anyone holding a valid UK visa for another purpose.
- Legal residents of Ireland entering the UK from the Common Travel Area (Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey).
UK Visa Types for German Nationals
German citizens willing to extend their visit to the UK beyond six months will require a full UK visa.
The UK offers a number of different types of visas for German passport holders, depending on the purpose and length of their visit. Here’s a list of all the different visas you can apply for.
Skilled Worker Visa
This visa is for German citizens who have secured a job offer in the UK from an approved employer. The visa is only valid for an eligible occupation that meets certain salary thresholds, which as of now is £38,700 per year.
The applicants also need to prove their ability to speak English. The visa is valid for 5 years and can lead to permanent residency in the UK.
Health & Care Worker Visa
This type of UK visa from Germany is specifically designed for qualified healthcare professionals to work in the UK's health & social sector. To be eligible for this visa, the applicant needs to have a valid job offer from a licensed healthcare provider in the UK.
Unlike other visa types, Health and Care Worker visas are exempt from the healthcare surcharge and have a much faster application processing time.
Global Talent Visa
This visa is a golden route for German professionals to the UK who are leaders and emerging talents in their respective fields.
This visa type doesn't require a job offering, but the applicant has to be endorsed by a recognised UK body such as a university. This visa type offers a great deal of flexibility and can lead to long-term settlement in the UK.
Student Visa
This visa is designed for German citizens who want to attend a school, college, or university in the UK. The visa requires the applicants to have an unconditional offer from an approved educational institution.
They will also need to prove their English proficiency and show they can support themselves financially while they stay in the country.
Family Visit Visas
These visas allow German citizens to join close family members living in the UK. There are various routes depending on the relationship. For example, someone married to or in a civil partnership with a UK resident can apply under the spouse or partner visa.
Parents can join children living in the UK, and children can join their parents. There is also a visa for adult relatives who need long-term care from their family in the UK. All family routes require proof of the relationship and financial stability.
Innovator Founder Visa
These routes are for German entrepreneurs who want to set up new businesses in the UK. This allows people with new ideas to come to the UK to pursue their business ventures. You must have a new concept that isn’t currently on the market, as well as endorsement for a pre-approved endorsing body.
Graduate Visa
This visa is for international students, including Germans, who have completed a university degree in the UK. It allows them to stay and work for a limited period after graduation.
As of mid-2025, the UK government has proposed reducing the permitted stay to 18 months, but this change has not yet been implemented. Until then, the existing durations remain in effect.
The Graduate Visa provides an opportunity for graduates to gain UK work experience and, in many cases, transition to a longer-term visa, such as the Skilled Worker route.
UK Visa Requirements for German Citizens
German citizens applying for a UK visa would need to fulfil certain requirements that can vary depending on the visa type, but generally these include the following.
- A valid German passport with at least one blank page.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay.
- Evidence of accommodation in the UK.
- A clean criminal record certificate if the visa type requires it.
- Parental consent for under-18 visitors.
- An English efficiency certificate, such as IELTS or SELT, if the visa type requires it.
- Job offer letter for work and Health & Care visas.
- Endorsement for global talent visas.
Apart from these, you might also need to provide additional documents depending on the type of visa you're applying for.
How to Apply For A UK Visa From Germany
The application process of the UK visa from Germany also varies depending on the visa type they're applying for, but the general steps remain the same, with the details being the following.
- Step One - Choose the Right Visa for Your Plans
The first thing you'll need is to figure out exactly which visa type suits your situation, such as one of the work visas, student visa, family visa, or any other visa type.
- Step Two - Fill Out the Online Application
Once you know exactly which visa you're applying for, the next step would be to fill out the application form. Once again, the application process for a visa to the UK from Germany will depend on your visa type.
If you are applying for a traditional visa type, such as a student or family visa, then you'll need to fill up the UK visa application from Germany form on the UK government's official website. - Step Three - Pay the Fees
Next, you'll need to pay visa fees, which once again vary depending on the visa type and how long you're planning to stay in the country. Apart from the fees, most applicants would also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Step Four - Book a Biometric Appointment
After the payment, you'll need to schedule your biometric verification appointment. German applicants would usually be required to visit a UK Visa Application Centre in cities like Berlin, Düsseldorf, or Munich. At the appointment, they’ll take your fingerprints and a digital photo.
- Step Five - Upload or Submit Your Supporting Documents
Depending on how the visa facilitation centre near you operates, you'll need to upload your supporting documents online or bring them to your appointment. These include documents such as a passport, bank statements, proof of your job or university offer, proof of English language ability, and any additional documents required for your visa type.
- Step Six - Wait for the Decision
Now that you have completed the application process, it's time to wait. Standard applications usually take around three weeks to process.
- Step Seven - Collect Your Visa & Travel
If your visa is approved, you’ll receive a physical sticker in your passport. That’s your green light to travel to the UK.
With the right prep and paperwork, getting your UK visa as a German citizen doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow the steps carefully, stay organised, and you’ll be packing your bags in no time!
UK Visa Processing Times for German Citizens
Processing times for UK visas can vary based on the visa type and individual circumstances. The estimated processing times are as follows:
- Visit Visas - Most applications are processed within 3 weeks.
- Study Visas - Typically processed within 3 weeks.
- Work Visas - Generally processed within 3 weeks.
- Family Visas - Processing can take up to 12 weeks.
UK Visa Fees for German Citizens
Visa fees vary depending on the type and duration of the visa. Below is a summary of the current UK visa price from Germany.
- Standard Visitor Visa - £127
- Student Visa - £524
- Skilled Worker Visa - £769 - £1,519
- Health and Care Worker (3 years or less) - £304
- Health and Care Worker (more than 3 years) - £590
- Innovator Founder Visa - £1,274
- Global Talent Visa - £205 - £766
UK Visa for Residents of Germany
Residency in Germany does not exempt individuals from the UK visa requirements to visit England or any part of the UK. Common visa types for these residents include:
- Standard Visitor Visa for tourism (UK tourist visa from Germany), business, or short-term study.
- Work Visas for employment opportunities in the UK.
- Student Visa for academic courses in UK institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
For visits under 6 months, you will not need a visa; you'll need an ETA instead. For longer stays, you’ll need a traditional visa.
You'll usually need a valid passport, proof of funds, biometrics, and to pay the visa fee, and additional documents depending on your visa type, such as a job offer or an acceptance letter from an educational institution.
It depends on the type. The standard UK visit visa starts from £127. Other visas, such as a student visa, cost around £524, while a Skilled Worker visa typically ranges from £769 to £1,519, depending on the duration and job type.
There is no separate visa for London. If you have an ETA or a British visa, you can visit London.
Non-EU citizens in Germany who are not from ETA-eligible countries must apply for a UK visa before travel for short visits. If they are visiting for tourism, business, or a short stay, they may need to apply for a UK visit visa from Germany. The exact regulations and requirements will depend on the applicant’s nationality and purpose of travel.
