Visa-Free Travel for School Groups Visiting Germany
Good news for UK teachers considering a school trip to Germany: new plans are underway to make travel between the UK and Germany simpler, cheaper, and less bureaucratic for school groups.
As part of a recently signed UK-Germany treaty, focused on strengthening ties between the two countries, both governments have committed to easing group travel arrangements for young people. The goal is to introduce visa-free travel for school groups by the end of 2025, creating more opportunities for pupils to take part in language, cultural, work experience abroad and homestays.
This move builds on a similar agreement already in place with France, where school groups registered with the French Ministry of Education can now travel to the UK using national ID cards instead of passports. UK students can travel to France as part of a school group with their teacher without a visa, even if they would ordinarily require one when travelling independently. While the exact details of the UK-Germany arrangement are still being finalised, the aim is clear: to open the door to smoother and more accessible school travel.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, attend a signing ceremony of a wide-ranging bilateral cooperation treaty on 17 July 2025 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Frank Augstein-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
What This Could Mean for Your Students
Currently, all students travelling to the UK or Germany require passports – a barrier that’s discouraged some schools from running overseas trips since the UK’s exit from the EU. But under the proposed agreement, UK-German school exchanges may soon be able to operate with fewer restrictions, potentially including options for group travel documents or ID card entry.
Such a change could drastically reduce both costs and paperwork for schools, particularly those serving diverse communities where not all students hold valid passports or visas.
Why Now?
The July 2025 Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation Treaty, signed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, outlines 17 areas of joint cooperation—including education, youth mobility, and cultural exchange.
A key part of the treaty is focused on expanding access to study trips and school exchanges. Both countries have agreed to increase support for youth mobility programmes and to create a Joint Expert Group that will look at practical solutions for improving travel and collaboration between schools, universities, and cultural organisations.
What Teachers Should Know
While the finer details of the new scheme have yet to be released, education leaders are watching developments closely. English UK, the national body for English language teaching, has been calling for the kind of group travel arrangement now in place with France to be extended to other countries, including Germany.
Jodie Gray, Chief Executive of English UK, welcomed the treaty but highlighted the need for clarity: “We’re pleased to see the focus on school group travel, but we’re still waiting to see whether German pupils will be allowed to travel on ID cards, as French students can.”
This clarity will be key for UK teachers planning ahead. If ID cards or simplified group documents are approved, it would remove one of the most challenging administrative hurdles to organising a trip abroad.
For schools looking to reintroduce international experiences, Germany could soon become one of the most accessible and enriching options on the map.
A Boost for Language Learning and Cultural Exchange
The treaty also highlights the importance of language learning, vocational training, and international collaboration. This renewed commitment to youth exchange is a clear signal: the UK and Germany want to see more young people meeting, learning, and travelling together.
Next Steps for Teachers
While the final rules haven’t been confirmed, this is a great time to start planning:
Stay informed:
Monitor updates from the Department for Education and English UK.
Get ahead:
If ID or group travel arrangements are introduced, early adopters may benefit from easier booking and less competition for travel dates.
If you are looking for a tailor-made option for your school group, to Germany or elsewhere, why not contact one of our dedicated trip consultants who can advise on all aspects of school travel.
