This guide covers the UK visa from Germany in 2026: the ETA now required of German citizens, current fees in euros, and the visa routes for non-EU residents of Germany. Since Brexit, German nationals are visa-free for short visits but need an Electronic Travel Authorisation to travel. Whether you need a quick ETA for a London city break or a work visa for a longer move, this guide sets out the requirements, costs, and how to apply.
Source: Home Office ETA datasets and entry clearance visa fees, year ending March 2026.
German citizens have needed an ETA since 2 April 2025, and it is now fully enforced — no ETA, no boarding. In the year to March 2026 the UK issued about 2.7 million ETAs to German nationals at a 99.7% approval rate, the largest single-country ETA market. The ETA costs €19 and lasts two years; only non-EU residents of Germany need an actual visa.
UK Visa from Germany: Requirements and Fees 2026
The German-British connection runs deep: the House of Hanover ruled Britain for nearly two centuries, and the royal family carried the name Saxe-Coburg and Gotha until it was changed to Windsor in 1917. Prince Albert alone gave Britain everything from the Christmas tree to the V&A Museum. Today over 300,000 German nationals live in the UK, and Germany is one of Britain's biggest tourism markets — but since Brexit, German travellers face the same ETA system as other visa-exempt nationals.
German citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to six months, but they do need an ETA (€19, valid two years) obtained through the UK ETA App. Non-EU residents of Germany need a Standard Visitor visa (€152) instead. For work, study, or family stays, German nationals apply for the relevant visa and give biometrics through the UK Immigration: ID Check App — no visa centre visit.
UK Entry Requirements for German Citizens
Entry is straightforward for short trips but no longer automatic. German nationals can no longer use EU lanes and pass through the same control as other non-EU visitors. The core requirement is a valid passport plus an approved ETA before travel — the ETA is checked at boarding, so it must be in hand before you leave.
- A valid passport for the duration of the stay
- An approved ETA (€19, valid two years, via the UK ETA App)
- Evidence of return or onward travel
- Accommodation details or a host's address
- Enough funds to support the visit without working
- Genuine intention to leave within six months
At the border, officers may ask about your plans, accommodation, and funds, though detailed questioning is rare for German visitors. Keeping your booking and return details on your phone speeds things up. Travellers from elsewhere in the region face the same system, including those covered by our guide on French travellers to the UK.
Do German Citizens Need a Visa for the UK?
No visa is needed for short visits — tourism, family, or business meetings up to six months. German citizens do need an ETA, mandatory since 2 April 2025, costing €19 and valid for two years. For work, study, or stays beyond six months, the appropriate visa is required. The ETA is applied for in minutes through the UK ETA App.
The UK brought visa-exempt European nationals into the ETA scheme during 2025 to screen arrivals before travel. According to the official gov.uk ETA guidance, German citizens have needed one since 2 April 2025. Home Office figures for the year to March 2026 show a 99.7% issue rate for German applicants — approval is effectively automatic for eligible travellers.
ETA vs Visa: Which Applies to You?
| Feature | UK ETA | UK Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs it | German and other visa-exempt nationals | Non-EU residents of Germany (e.g. Indian, Pakistani) |
| Cost | €19 | From €152 (6-month visitor) |
| Process | App, minutes | Online + biometrics |
| Decision | Often minutes, up to 3 working days | About 3 weeks (standard visitor) |
| Validity | 2 years, multiple entries | 6 months to 10 years |
The full rules, exemptions, and how the scheme works across nationalities are covered in our guide to the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme. Visitors from the Netherlands and other EU states follow the same ETA route.
UK Visa Fees from Germany 2026 (in Euros)
German citizens pay only €19 for an ETA. Non-EU residents of Germany pay from €152 for a six-month Standard Visitor visa. Work visas run from €924, the Student visa is €671, and a partner/family visa is €2,481. All fees are paid in euros and are non-refundable. These figures reflect the fee schedule current in 2026.
Home Office fees are set in pounds and shown in euros for applicants in Germany and the eurozone. The figures below are pulled from the official fee calculator and apply identically across euro-currency countries.
Visitor and Short-Stay Fees
| Visa Type | Fee (EUR) | Max Stay Per Visit |
|---|---|---|
| ETA (German citizens) | €19 | 6 months |
| Standard Visitor (6 months) | €152 | 6 months |
| Long-term Visitor (2 years) | €569 | 6 months |
| Long-term Visitor (5 years) | €1,015 | 6 months |
| Long-term Visitor (10 years) | €1,268 | 6 months |
| Marriage Visitor | €152 | 6 months |
| Private Medical Treatment | €263 | 11 months |
| Direct Airside Transit (DATV) | €47 | Airside only |
| Visitor in Transit | €84 | 48 hours |
For travellers planning repeat trips, the long-term visitor visa spreads the cost over two, five, or ten years while still capping each stay at six months.
Work, Study and Family Fees
| Visa Category | Fee (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Student | €671 |
| Skilled Worker (up to 3 years) | €924 |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | €1,825 |
| Health and Care Worker (up to 3 years) | €365 |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | €383 |
| Partner / Family visa | €2,481 |
| Adult Dependent Relative | €4,370 |
| Priority service | +€597 |
| Super Priority service | +€1,194 |
Any visa over six months also carries the Immigration Health Surcharge, charged in pounds at £1,035 a year (students and Youth Mobility participants pay £776). It is paid on top of the visa fee and is not converted to euros. Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt.
UK Tourist Visa from Germany
German citizens need no tourist visa — only the €19 ETA for visits up to six months. Non-EU residents of Germany, such as Indian, Pakistani, or Chinese passport holders, need a Standard Visitor visa (€152) for any trip. Both cover tourism, sightseeing, and visiting friends or family. German nationals apply via the ETA app; others apply through a visa centre.
"UK tourist visa from Germany" means different things by nationality. A German passport holder visiting as a tourist only needs an ETA. A non-EU national living in Germany must apply for a Standard Visitor visa regardless of how long they have lived there — a German Aufenthaltstitel does not grant visa-free UK access.
| Your Status | What You Need | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| German citizen | ETA (UK ETA App) | €19 |
| Other EU/EEA citizen in Germany | ETA (UK ETA App) | €19 |
| Indian passport holder in Germany | Standard Visitor visa | €152 |
| Pakistani passport holder in Germany | Standard Visitor visa | €152 |
| Other non-EU resident of Germany | Standard Visitor visa | €152 |
If a visit was refused before, our guides on why UK visas are refused and the realistic odds of success when reapplying explain how to strengthen a fresh application. Travellers from Belgium follow the same visitor framework.
UK Visa from Germany for Non-EU Residents
Non-EU residents of Germany pay €152 for a six-month Standard Visitor visa, whatever their nationality. The application goes through the visa centre network in Berlin, Düsseldorf, or Munich and takes about three weeks. A German residence permit strengthens the application as evidence of ties, but it does not remove the visa requirement.
Germany hosts large communities from non-EU countries who often travel to the UK for business or tourism. Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, and other non-EU nationals living in Germany must obtain a visa for any UK trip, regardless of purpose or length. Their German residence permit does not grant visa-free access.
Legal residence in Germany — especially permanent residence — helps a UK visitor application by showing strong ties and a clear reason to return. Include your residence permit, employment contract, and evidence of settled life in Germany such as property, bank accounts, or children in school alongside the standard documents.
A well-prepared file matters: assemble your evidence using our UK visa supporting documents checklist, and if a UK-based relative is hosting you, our guide to the sponsor's invitation letter shows what to include.
Working and Studying in the UK
German citizens need a work visa since Brexit. The main route is the Skilled Worker visa (€924–€1,825), needing employer sponsorship and a salary at or above the £41,700 general threshold. German nationals give biometrics through the UK Immigration: ID Check App from home. The Youth Mobility Scheme (ages 18–35, €383) and the Student visa (€671) are the other common routes.
Free movement ended on 31 December 2020, so German nationals now need permission to work or study long-term. The upside is convenience: as an EU national, you verify your identity through the UK Immigration: ID Check App rather than attending a visa centre. UK visa grant rates for German applicants are high — around 96% for work and over 99% for study in the latest Home Office figures.
Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker route is the main path for German nationals taking UK employment. You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor and a salary meeting the general threshold of £41,700, with lower thresholds for some roles. The fee is €924 for up to three years or €1,825 beyond that, plus the health surcharge, and it leads to settlement after five years.
Youth Mobility and Student Routes
German citizens aged 18 to 35 can apply under the Youth Mobility Scheme to live and work in the UK for two years without a job offer; places are limited and allocated by ballot, and the fee is €383. For courses over six months, the Student visa costs €671 and allows part-time work. After a degree, the Graduate route gives two years' post-study work. Shorter courses up to six months need only an ETA.
Partner and Family Routes
German nationals joining a British or settled partner can apply for a partner visa, currently €2,481, with a minimum income requirement of £29,000. Where the sponsor holds EU Settlement Scheme status instead, the free EUSS family route may apply rather than the paid partner visa.
How to Apply for a UK Visa from Germany
The process depends on whether you are a German citizen or a non-EU resident of Germany. German nationals do almost everything by app; non-EU residents use a visa centre for biometrics.
- Complete the online application and pay the fee in euros at gov.uk
- German citizens: give biometrics via the UK Immigration: ID Check App from home
- Non-EU residents: book biometrics at a visa centre in Berlin, Düsseldorf, or Munich
- Upload your supporting documents
- Wait for the decision — about 3 weeks standard, 5 days on priority
- Receive your eVisa or a vignette in your passport
For an ETA there is no form beyond the app itself — download it, scan your passport, take a photo, and pay. If a visa decision runs late, our guide on UK visa delays explains how to chase it, and priority and super-priority services can speed things up where available. You can track timelines with our guide to processing after biometrics.
- German citizens need an ETA (€19), applied for via the UK ETA App — issue rate 99.7%
- For visas, German nationals use the ID Check App — no visa centre visit
- Non-EU residents of Germany pay €152 for a six-month Standard Visitor visa
- Work visas need sponsorship and a £41,700 general salary threshold
- The health surcharge (£1,035/year, £776 students) applies to visas over six months
- The Graduate route gives two years' post-study work after a UK degree
For official confirmation, use the gov.uk visa checker and the Standard Visitor visa guidance. Neighbouring guides cover the Austria ETA guide, the Common Travel Area rules for Ireland, and the Switzerland ETA requirements.
No visa is needed for visits up to six months, but German citizens must hold an ETA before travelling. It costs €19, lasts two years, and is obtained through the UK ETA App. The requirement has applied since 2 April 2025 and is enforced at boarding — without an approved ETA, carriers will not let German travellers board transport to the UK.
German citizens need a valid passport (valid for the duration of the stay), an approved ETA (€19), and the ability to show they are genuine visitors. At the border you may be asked about your plans, accommodation, funds, and return journey, so keep your bookings and return travel accessible on your phone to speed up entry.
Non-EU residents of Germany pay €152 for a six-month Standard Visitor visa in 2026, whatever their nationality. Longer visitor visas cost €569 for two years, €1,015 for five years, or €1,268 for ten years. Applications are made through the visa centre network in Berlin, Düsseldorf, or Munich and take about three weeks.
A German citizen with an ETA can stay up to six months per visit for tourism, family, or business. There is no annual cap on visits, but frequent or very long stays may prompt questions about whether you are a genuine visitor. Working, studying long-term, or settling all require the relevant visa with its own conditions.
Not without a work visa. The main route is the Skilled Worker visa (€924–€1,825), needing sponsorship from a licensed UK employer and a salary at or above the £41,700 general threshold. German nationals aged 18–35 may also use the Youth Mobility Scheme (€383). Business meetings are allowed on an ETA, but paid work is not.
Yes. German and other EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals applying for UK work, study, or family visas can verify their identity through the ID Check App from home, so no visa centre visit is needed. You scan your passport chip with your phone's NFC reader and take a photo to complete identity checks.
Standard processing is about three weeks for visitor and other non-settlement visas, and up to twelve weeks for settlement visas such as partner routes. Priority service (€597) targets five working days for visitor visas, and super priority (€1,194) aims for the next working day where available. ETAs are usually decided within minutes, up to three working days.
The UK ETA App is for applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, which German citizens use for short visits up to six months. The UK Immigration: ID Check App is for giving biometrics when applying for an actual visa — work, study, or family. In short, the ETA app is for visiting and the ID Check app is for longer stays that need a visa.