United Kingdom to Germany visa requirements

Visa-free up to 90 days in any 180-day period. EES is operational; ETIAS starts in Q4 2026 and will cost EUR 20 for most adults. British citizen ordinary passport holders can visit Germany and the wider Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period for tourism, family visits, business meetings, cultural or sports events, or short courses, provided they do not take up employment or another economic activity unless separately authorised. The passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least 3 months after the planned Schengen departure. The biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) is operational and records short-stay non-EU travellers electronically instead of relying on passport stamps; there is no pre-arrival action or fee for EES. ETIAS starts operations in the last quarter of 2026; no action is required yet, and the official fee will be EUR 20 for most adults, with fee exemptions for applicants under 18 or over 70. For stays over 90 days or economic activity, British citizens need a residence permit or D visa route; British citizens may apply for the residence permit after arrival in Germany within the first 90 days, but may not work until the permit or visa explicitly authorises it.