News

From 1 August 2026, new simplified entry rules will apply to pupils travelling on organised school trips from the United Kingdom to Germany.

These changes follow the German-British Friendship Treaty, signed on 17 July 2025 (the Kensington Treaty), which aims to strengthen educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Under the new rules, pupils from third countries who would normally require a Schengen visa may be exempt from the visa requirement if they:

• hold a valid UK residence permit (valid long-term share code); and
• are included on a list of travellers certified by their school.

Further information, guidance and the list of travellers form are available from the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and can be downloaded here.

Who can benefit from these new rules?

The exemption applies only to pupils who:

• are enrolled at a general or vocational school in the United Kingdom;
• travel as part of an organised school group;
• are accompanied by one or more teachers throughout the entire trip; and
• are included on a certified list of travellers.

When do these rules not apply?

The exemption does not apply to pupils who:

• leave the group for an extended period, for example to visit relatives or continue travelling independently; or
• do not travel to and from Germany with the group.