UK-Germany signed a groundbreaking treaty facilitating electronic passport access for British tourists
The United Kingdom and Germany have made history by signing a groundbreaking treaty, the first of its kind since World War II. The treaty, officially named the "Treaty on Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation," was signed on July 17, 2025, with the aim of deepening strategic partnership between the two nations in various areas, including defense, migration, economic growth, and citizen exchanges.
One of the most anticipated changes for British travellers is the potential easing of travel woes through the introduction of e-gates. While the treaty does not provide explicit details on an e-gate system, it does include measures to enhance cooperation on migration and border security, suggesting that modernization of border control technology and streamlined travel processes could be on the horizon. Brits will still need to go to border control beyond the e-gates for passport checks, compliance with validity rules, and other checks.
To use the e-gates, UK citizens must sign up to join Germany's e-gate "EasyPass" system, which involves using normal passport control and attending a police interview. By August 2025, the agreement will allow frequent travellers and those with family ties in Germany to use e-gates on arrival. Once the registration process is complete, the e-gates will be accessible for use on future visits.
The treaty also addresses challenges faced by educational and scientific institutions, cultural bodies, and political organizations, aiming to strengthen contacts between citizens of both countries and facilitate social and cultural exchange. The treaty's goal to enable visa-free school group travel by the end of 2025 is particularly noteworthy.
Defense cooperation is another key focus of the treaty, with commitments to develop a Deep Precision Strike capability with a range over 2,000 km, boost NATO deterrence, and joint defense exports including Boxer armored vehicles and Typhoon jets. The treaty also formalizes mutual aid in the event of attacks and includes plans for a new rail link to Germany within the next 10 years.
In terms of migration, the treaty targets migrant smuggling, with Germany committing to making the facilitation of smuggling migrants to the UK a criminal offense. This legal change is expected to be enacted by the end of 2025, giving German authorities greater powers to investigate and act against smuggling networks.
Opinion polls show that a majority of Brits now favor rejoining the European Union, as the treaty is intended to enhance the friendship, freedom, security, and prosperity between the two countries. However, for British citizens, the treaty is not the panacea it seems, according to travel expert Simon Calder. Brits, like other third country nationals, are not permitted to have spent more than 90 days in the past 180 days within the Schengen area.
The treaty includes an implementation plan with 17 priority projects across defense, migration, reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, and broader cooperation measures, to be reviewed biennially by a Joint Cabinet. The EU's new entry/exit system (EES) will come into play in October, gathering biometric data on arrivals from non-EU countries, including the UK. A team is also being established to establish "juxtaposed" border controls similar to those in place for Eurostar journeys, with German authorities questioning arrivals and providing an entry (or exit) stamp only if satisfied with the answers.
In conclusion, the treaty is a significant step forward in enhancing UK-Germany relations post-Brexit, with significant commitments on combatting migrant smuggling, strengthening defense ties, and fostering socio-economic cooperation. While specific public information on the e-gate system, rail links, and visa-free school travel remains less detailed in the current sources, the potential for improved travel experiences for British travellers is a promising development.
- The treaty's goal to enable visa-free school group travel by the end of 2025 signifies a potential cultural exchange opportunity, bridging the gap between educational institutions of both the United Kingdom and Germany.
- As part of the treaty's lifestyle improvements, the intended modernization of border control technology and streamlined travel processes through e-gates could ease travel woes for frequent British travelers.
- In line with the treaty's commitment to deepening strategic partnership, defense cooperation involves joint development of deep precision strike capabilities, strengthening NATO deterrence, and joint defense exports, highlighting the importance of politics and general-news in shaping the future of these nations' eco-systems and lifestyles.
