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Entry Requirements for the USA & UK
Travelling turns people into storytellers, but before you reach your destination, you must also meet the relevant entry requirements. Questions frequently arise, particularly when travelling to the USA or England/the UK. You will need to present the correct travel documents and, where applicable, a visa. In this guide, you can find out exactly what this means for you and which entry requirements apply in each case.
Contents
a. Accepted & non-accepted travel documents
b. Entering the USA without a visa
c. Entering the USA with a visa
Our airport parking facilities for destinations in the USA/UK
What Entry Requirements Apply to the USA?
German nationals are generally permitted to enter the USA. Entry may be possible either with or without a visa, depending on the documents available. The required documentation depends on the purpose of travel and the type of passport being used.
Accepted & Non-Accepted Travel Documents
The table below lists official travel documents and indicates whether they permit entry into the USA.
Document | Entry Permitted |
Passport | Yes, with ESTA or a valid visa |
Temporary Passport | Yes, with a valid visa |
Child Passport | Yes, with a valid visa |
National Identity Card | No |
Vorläufiger Temporary Identity Card | No |
Important: Your travel document must remain valid for the entire duration of your stay, including the day of departure.
1. Entering the USA Without a Visa (Visa Waiver Program)
For tourist or business trips of up to 90 days, travellers may use the Visa Waiver Program. This allows visa-free entry into the USA. The following requirements apply:
A valid ESTA authorisation
A valid biometric passport with an electronic chip (ePassport)*
A return or onward travel ticket
Form I-94 when entering by land or ferry
*You can identify an ePassport by the small gold camera-like symbol on the front cover of your passport.
ESTA Authorisation
ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) approval is mandatory when travelling under the Visa Waiver Program, i.e. entering the USA without a visa. You can conveniently apply for ESTA online using the official application portal. Make sure you have your passport ready before starting the application.
When entering your passport number on the ESTA application form, take care not to confuse the number “0” (zero) with the letter “O”. Incorrect information may lead to problems upon entry.
Key facts about ESTA:
Can be applied for online
May be submitted up to 72 hours before departure (although applying earlier is recommended)
Cost: approximately USD 21
Validity: ESTA remains valid for up to two years or until the passport expires
Multiple entries to the USA are permitted during the validity period
Countries Participating in the Visa Waiver Program
Andorra | Ireland | Malta | Singapore |
Australia | Iceland | Monaco | Slovakia |
Belgium | Israel | New Zealand | Slovenia |
Brunei | Italy | Netherlands | Spain |
Chile | Japan | Norway | South Korea |
Denmark | Qatar | Austria | Taiwan |
Germany | Croatia | Poland | Czech Republic |
Estonia | Latvia | Portugal | Hungary |
Finland | Liechtenstein | San Marino | United Kingdom (Great Britain) |
France | Lithuania | Sweden |
|
Greece | Luxembourg | Switzerland |
|
Exceptions to the Visa Waiver Program
Nationals of Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria are excluded from the Visa Waiver Program. In addition, even citizens of participating countries may be ineligible for visa-free entry if they have previously travelled to or stayed in one of these countries.
2. Entering the USA with a Visa
If visa-free entry is denied or unavailable, you must apply for a visa before travelling to the USA. This applies if:
You do not meet the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program
You are travelling with a temporary passport
You are travelling with a child passport
Your stay will exceed 90 days
Your purpose of travel is neither tourism nor business
Types of US Visas
The visa you require depends on the duration and purpose of your stay. Applications are generally submitted online and usually require an appointment at a US embassy or consulate. The most common visa categories include:
B-1 Visa: For business trips such as meetings, negotiations or conferences.
B-2 Visa: For tourism, private visits or medical treatment.
F-1 Visa: For students enrolled at a US school, college or university.
J-1 Visa: For exchange programmes, au pairs, interns and academic visitors.
H-1B Visa: For skilled professionals wishing to work in the USA.
K-1 Visa: For fiancés of US citizens intending to marry in the USA.
Transfer of Passenger Data to the USA
Regardless of whether you travel with or without a visa, airlines are required to transfer passenger data to US authorities before departure. This is done via the Advanced Passenger Information (API) system. Information transmitted includes first and last name, date of birth, gender, passport number, nationality, contact details and your place of stay in the USA.
In addition, authorities may request further information from travellers upon arrival. This may include previous telephone numbers, email addresses or details of social media profiles. The latter has been widely discussed since the beginning of 2026. Relevant legislation has not yet been passed but could be introduced from mid-2026 onwards.
Possible Entry Restrictions for the USA
In addition to the standard entry requirements, short-notice changes or restrictions may apply. These can include entry bans, stricter visa procedures for nationals of certain countries or health-related travel restrictions. Travellers should therefore always check the latest regulations with the Federal Foreign Office before departure.
Entry Requirements for the UK
Whether travelling to Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff or one of London's airports, travellers should familiarise themselves with the entry requirements for England and the rest of the UK before departure. For European citizens, UK entry requirements are generally straightforward.
1. Entering the UK Without a Visa
German nationals generally do not require a visa for tourism, business travel, family visits or transit through the United Kingdom. However, an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is mandatory.
For visa-free entry to the UK, you will need:
A valid ETA approval
A valid passport
An email address
A valid payment method for the application (credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay)
Please note: Individuals holding a British or Irish passport, or a valid UK residence, work or study permit, do not require an ETA.
General Information About the ETA
The ETA is the United Kingdom’s electronic travel authorisation. It is mandatory for many travellers and must be obtained before travelling. Babies and children also require their own ETA. Applications can be submitted on behalf of other individuals.
Applications can be completed online or via the official UK ETA app. During the process, you must upload or take a photograph of your passport and a current facial image. If applying on behalf of someone else, you will require their passport and facial image.
ETA at a glance:
Can be applied for online or through the UK ETA app
Should be requested at least three days before travel (earlier is recommended)
Cost: £20
Validity: Up to two years or until the passport expires. Multiple trips of up to six months each are permitted during the validity period.
A valid ETA allows travel to England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey) and the Isle of Man.
Please note: If you need to pass through airport security during a transit journey, you will also require an ETA. If in doubt, contact your airline.
2. Entering the UK with a Visa
If you are not eligible for visa-free entry or your purpose of stay is not covered by the ETA scheme, you will require a visa for the UK. This may be necessary if:
You do not meet the ETA requirements
Your nationality requires a visa for entry
You wish to stay in the United Kingdom for more than six months
You intend to work in the United Kingdom
You intend to study in the United Kingdom
The UK Visa Is Now an eVisa
The United Kingdom is currently transitioning its immigration and residence documentation to a digital system. As a result, visas are now issued in the form of an eVisa.
The eVisa is digitally linked to your passport and can be managed through an account with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
To use an eVisa, you will need:
A UKVI account
A passport linked to your UKVI account
Access to your mobile device to prove your digital immigration status and display your Share Code when required
Types of UK Visas
For tourism, family visits, business travel or medical treatment, travellers may apply for a Standard Visitor Visa.
Overview of the main options:
Visa | Fee | Maximum Validity |
Standard Visitor Visa | £135 | Stay of up to 6 months |
Standard Visitor Visa (Medical Treatment) | £234 | Stay of up to 11 months |
Standard Visitor Visa (Academic Visitor) | £234 | Stay of up to 12 months |
Long-Term Visitor Visa | £506 | Valid for 2 years, up to 6 months per visit |
Long-Term Visitor Visa | £903 | Valid for 5 years, up to 6 months per visit |
Long-Term Visitor Visa | £1,128 | Valid for 10 years, up to 6 months per visit |
Please note that fees and entry requirements may change at any time. You should therefore check the latest requirements with the relevant UK authorities before travelling.
Our Airport Parking Facilities for Destinations in the USA/UK
Direct flights to the USA are primarily available from two of our locations: Berlin and Düsseldorf. From other airports, such as Hamburg, connections to the USA are usually only available with a stopover.
Flights to the United Kingdom, however, are available from almost all of our airport locations. At each site, you will find a wide range of parking options for your vehicle. To save money when booking, be sure to take a look at our bonus programme.
By the way: At all Easy Airport Parking locations, you can conveniently leave your car or electric vehicle parked for extended periods. Find out more in our dedicated article.
