In an advisory dated 10 October 2026, the German Foreign Office reminded travelers that the United Kingdom’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system is now compulsory for short stays, including business visits of less than six months. The update is the first since the UK fully rolled out its digital-permission scheme to EU nationals earlier this autumn. Under the new rules, German passport-holders who are not resident in the UK must apply for an ETA via a mobile app or the gov.uk portal at least three days before departure. The permit costs £10 and is valid for two years, covering multiple entries. Airlines have begun enforcing the requirement at check-in, with Lufthansa confirming that passengers without an approved ETA will be denied boarding. Corporate mobility managers should incorporate the ETA lead time into travel-approval workflows, especially for last-minute sales and consulting trips. Failure to secure the permission could lead to costly re-ticketing and breach of service-level agreements with clients. Travel-management companies report that the new step adds approximately 20 minutes to the booking process for first-time applicants but can be automated thereafter. The Foreign Office also notes that the UK terror-threat level was raised from “Substantial” to “Severe” in April 2026, advising German citizens to maintain situational awareness in crowded places such as London’s City financial district and major railway termini. Travelers with a previous UK visa refusal should expect additional scrutiny despite holding an ETA. For companies relocating staff to the UK, the advisory clarifies that the ETA does not replace work visas or intra-company transfer permits. HR departments must continue to obtain sponsorship certificates from the UK Home Office before deployment. German chambers in London and Manchester plan webinars next week to walk exporters through the process.
Source: Federal Foreign Office (Germany)
