Germany flags ETA checks

Germany is warning travelers bound for the United Kingdom to check their documents early, as Britain now requires many visa-free visitors to hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation before departure. (gov.uk 1) (gov.uk 2) The United Kingdom says visitors from 85 visa-free nationalities cannot legally travel there without an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation from February 25, 2026, and carriers can refuse boarding before a passenger reaches the border. (gov.uk 1) (gov.uk 2) For most short trips, the permit covers tourism, family visits, business meetings and study of up to six months. It now costs £20, is linked to one passport, and is valid for two years or until that passport expires. (gov.uk) (homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk) That has turned a border check into a pre-boarding check. The Home Office says travelers without an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation will not be able to board planes, trains or ferries to the United Kingdom unless they fall into an exempt category. (homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk) (gov.uk) The system already applies to most European travelers, including Germans. German business groups said in 2025 that German citizens could start applying on March 2, 2025, for travel from April 2, 2025. (ihk.de) (gov.uk) Britain says most applicants now get an automatic decision in minutes through the United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation app, but it still recommends applying at least three working days before travel in case a case needs further review. (homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk) (gov.uk) The passport detail matters because the approval is tied to the exact passport used in the application. If a traveler changes passports, Britain says they need a new Electronic Travel Authorisation before traveling. (gov.uk 1) (gov.uk 2) British and Irish citizens are exempt, including dual nationals, but they face their own document check. The United Kingdom says they must travel with a valid British or Irish passport, or another valid passport carrying a certificate of entitlement. (gov.uk) (gov.uk) That is where temporary and emergency documents can become a problem. United Kingdom guidance says dual nationals might in some cases travel with an expired British passport or an emergency travel document, but acceptance can depend on the carrier and the circumstances. (gov.uk) (gov.uk) The result is simple but stricter than the old routine: travelers who once showed up with a passport now need the right passport, and in many cases a digital approval attached to it, before they ever reach the gate. (gov.uk) (homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk)