New arrangements for school trips between Germany and the UK

A welcome result of the German-British friendship treaty, which was signed on 17 July 2025, will benefit schools trips between the UK and Germany going forwards. The treaty aims to “foster and expand exchange opportunities for young people from both countries", among other matters.

The new arrangements came into force at the weekend (1 August 2026) and provides greater flexibility for school trip travel between the UK and Germany, in relation to the necessary immigration requirements. We've summarised the position below for German schools visiting the UK. 

Who does this apply to?

The new arrangements can be used by pupils aged 19 and under, studying at a school in Germany and visiting the UK on an organised educational trip. They must be travelling in a group with 5 or more pupils.

Are special documents still required at the UK border?

Yes, the headteacher of the school must complete a form in advance, with the details of everyone who is travelling with the school trip. Two copies of the completed form must be prepared, to present at the border.

For each pupil who is a national of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, they must have:

• A valid passport or National Identity card.

• A copy of an identity document for their parent or guardian.

• Signed authorisation from their parent or guardian, in the format proscribed by the Bundespolizei on their website.

For any pupils who are nationals of other countries, the identity document requirement is slightly different. They must either hold a valid national passport or a valid refugee travel document issued by the Federal Republic of Germany. They cannot travel with a National ID card.

Are there any deadlines before the travel can take place?

Sufficient time must be set aside ahead of the school trip to gather information for each traveller and prepare the necessary consent paperwork. Once gathered, the relevant form must be sent to the appropriate German municipal authority at least 15 days in advance of the school trip, for validation. 

Can adults accompanying the pupils benefit from this arrangements?

The arrangements only apply to the pupils travelling as part of the group. Any accompanying teachers or adults must follow the usual entry requirements for visiting the UK, such as obtaining an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or Standard Visitor Visa in advance. They must also travel on their passports and cannot use National ID cards.

How will this work for non-EU citizens studying in Germany?

The arrangement is much more generous for non-EU pupils than prior to it coming into force. A visa national would usually need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa in advance, even for a school trip. This arrangement puts them in the same position as their EU national classmates. 

Will the rule change be more cost-effective for visitors?

Yes. EU nationals will be allowed to travel on their National ID cards and so can avoid the cost and administrative burden of obtaining a passport, if they do not already hold one. They also will not need to prepare, submit, and pay for an ETA, which currently costs £20 per applicant.

For visa national pupils, they will benefit from not applying for a Standard Visitor Visa, which currently costs £135 and remains administratively time-consuming. 

Can pupils at UK schools travel to Germany on school trips with similar flexibility?

Yes, the arrangements are reciprocal so schools in both countries can benefit from them. For travel to Germany, the arrangements cover groups of pupils who are enrolled at a general or vocational school in the UK, who will be are accompanied by one or more teachers throughout the whole trip. The school needs to assess whether a Pupils Traveller list must be prepared in advance, on which detailed guidance from the German authorities in this document prepared by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.

If your school is considering a trip from the UK to Germany, or vice versa, and would like guidance on the entry requirements, please get in touch with our Immigration Team who would be delighted to assist.