UK for German passport holders: post-Brexit ETA, budget flights, EUR→GBP tips
German passport holders now need a UK ETA (£10) post-Brexit. Budget carriers (Eurowings, Ryanair) make German city-London routes very affordable. DKB Visa handles GBP without forex charges — UK airports still use cash but London is overwhelmingly contactless.
Visa requirements
Post-Brexit, German (and all EU) nationals now require a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) for leisure and transit visits to the UK. Fee: £10. Apply at gov.uk/apply-uk-visa. Valid 2 years or until passport expiry — allows multiple entries. Usually approved instantly. The ETA is linked to your passport. Note: the UK uses British pounds (GBP), not euros — even though Germany and the UK are geographically close.
Documents required
- ✓Valid German passport (6+ months validity)
- ✓UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)
Flights from Germany to United Kingdom
Money, cards & forex fees
Best German card for the UK — zero forex EUR→GBP
Zero forex weekday EUR→GBP
ATMs in United Kingdom
Best ATMs: Most Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Santander ATMs are free (LINK network). Post Office ATMs are free. Avoid standalone kiosk ATMs in convenience stores — they charge £1.85–3.
Typical surcharge: £0–2 at free LINK network ATMs; £1.85–3 at charge ATMs
Withdrawal tip: UK is mostly card-friendly — contactless very widely used. Keep £20–40 for rural pubs and markets. Note: UK uses GBP, not EUR.
Top cities in United Kingdom
London
One of the world's great cities — the British Museum (free), National Gallery (free), Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Borough Market, Camden, and Notting Hill. Excellent public transport. The Tube covers almost everywhere. Oxford, Cambridge, and Stonehenge are excellent day trips.
Edinburgh
Scotland's dramatic capital — Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat volcano, the Scottish Highlands. The Fringe Festival (August) is the world's largest arts festival. Whisky distilleries nearby.
Manchester
Music, football, and the North of England. Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium, the Science and Industry Museum, the Northern Quarter's independent scene. Gateway to the Peak District and Lake District.
The UK ETA for German passport holders: what changed post-Brexit
Since Brexit, German (and all EU/EEA) nationals require a UK ETA for tourism, transit, and short business visits to the United Kingdom. This is a new requirement — Germans previously entered the UK with just a passport ID. Apply online at gov.uk/apply-uk-visa. Fee: £10. Processing: usually instant. Valid 2 years. The ETA replaces the old EU free movement rights for leisure travel. Note that Germany and UK have maintained a close economic relationship — frequent business travellers between Frankfurt's financial district and the City of London use this extensively. German nationals moving to the UK for work need a full UK visa.
On-arrival tips
- 1UK ETA must be obtained before boarding — German airlines check it at check-in
- 2UK uses GBP, not EUR — your euros have no value in UK shops
- 3Oyster card or contactless card for London transport — no need to buy a special travel card for short visits
- 4UK mobile roaming: German SIM won't work with EU-free roaming in UK — buy Airalo UK eSIM
Key takeaways
- ✓UK ETA (£10) now required for German passport holders — apply at gov.uk before travel
- ✓Eurowings and Ryanair: budget flights from German cities to London from €40
- ✓DKB Visa: zero forex EUR→GBP — Sparkasse charges 1.75%
- ✓UK uses GBP, not EUR — exchange or use DKB on arrival
- ✓German EU SIM no longer provides free roaming in UK post-Brexit
Related visa guides
Visa information is based on publicly available government sources and official embassy data. Entry requirements, fees, and procedures change frequently — always verify with the official embassy or consulate of United Kingdom before travelling. ForexFee is not a legal adviser.