Entry Requirements for England - What International Boarders Need to Know

By Ferdinand Steinbeis

At a Glance

Passport and ETA: Since 2025, EU travelers need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter England. It can easily be applied for online for £16.
Visa for longer stays: For stays of more than six months, a Child Student Visa is required. It can be applied for online up to 6 months before the start of the boarding school stay. We recommend applying as early as possible. The visa fee is £524.
Health insurance and IHS fee: In addition, international students must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which covers emergency medical care. The fee depends on the length of stay and amounts to £776 per year plus an additional £388 in the first year. We also recommend a private international health insurance for extended coverage. (Status: October 2025)
Travel consent for minors: If your child travels without you or with another accompanying adult, a written consent letter from both parents is required.

If your child is planning to attend a British boarding school, you’ve probably noticed that the entry and residence rules have changed a lot in recent years. Many parents ask us what this means for their family. So we’ve put together a clear, simple guide with the most important things you should know.

a bridge with round arches over a river with colorful wooden boats tied up in the in the foreground

What You Need to Enter the UK

Entry into England, Scotland and Northern Ireland is no longer as simple for EU citizens as it once was. The old child’s passport and national ID card are no longer sufficient. A regular passport is now required, valid for the entire duration of the boarding school stay and equipped with a chip that meets international security standards.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from 2025

Since 2025, EU travelers also need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The ETA for you and your child can easily be applied for via the “UK ETA App” (Apple Store or Google Play) or online via GOV.UK. Confirmation is usually sent by email within 72 hours. The ETA costs £16, is valid for two years (as long as the passport remains valid) and allows unlimited travel to the UK during that time.

Visa for Boarding School Students

If your child attends school in the UK for more than six months, a Child Student Visa must be applied for on GOV.UK. This visa applies to children between the ages of 4 and 17. Required documents are:

a valid passport
the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) issued by the school
in exceptional cases, proof of financial means may also be requested.

Processing normally takes about three weeks. In busy periods, such as summer, it can take longer. We therefore recommend applying as early as possible.

The cost of the visa is £524. An express visa can be issued within five days at an additional cost of £500.

The visa is digitally linked to the passport. Nevertheless, it is advisable to carry copies of all relevant documents, such as school correspondence and the visa confirmation.

sporting aircraft above in the blue sky with white clouds doing flying lessons at Bede's Summer School

Travel Consent for Underage Boarding School Students

If your child travels to the UK without you or with someone other than the parents, a written declaration of consent signed by both parents is required. This letter may be requested at the UK border. It should include the contact details of the legal guardians as well as details of the trip.

Health Insurance and Medical Records

To ensure your child is well covered, a suitable health insurance is required for the stay in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Although the National Health Service (NHS) also provides care for EU citizens, not all costs are automatically covered. We recommend checking with your German health insurance company to what extent coverage in the UK is included.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): The IHS fee is payable when applying for the visa. It covers emergency NHS treatment. The fee is £776 per year plus £388 in the first year.
Private international health insurance: Recommended to cover services beyond emergency care.
NHS and EHIC: Access to the NHS is guaranteed if the IHS has been paid as part of the visa application or if a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is available. Clarify with your health insurer in advance whether all requirements are met.

As for vaccinations, there are currently no special requirements. Nevertheless, it is advisable to check your child’s vaccination status for longer stays.

A Ryde School pupil with backpack looking at a lake

Travel Planning for Boarding School Students

When the countdown reaches one month before departure, it is time to get organized. Flights should be booked and arrival details arranged. Some boarding schools offer an airport pick-up service, which can help reduce stress.

Money and Payment Methods

Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere in the UK. However, before departure it is worth checking your bank’s fees for foreign transactions. Some banks offer special travel cards, which are particularly useful for longer stays. Even though card payments are widely used in the UK, it is advisable to carry some cash in British pounds as a backup. Also remember: roaming charges may apply. Ask your mobile provider about travel packages to avoid unnecessary costs.

Emergency Contacts and Communication

Nothing is more reassuring than knowing your child can be reached quickly in an emergency. All important emergency contacts should therefore be arranged in advance:

School contact details: Your child should know and have handy the phone number, email address, and contact person for international students.
Emergency numbers: In addition to school contacts, your child should have a direct emergency number for you or another trusted person.
Copies of documents: Make copies of all important documents such as passport, visa, health insurance, and travel consent, and store them safely.
Communication plan: Agree in advance when and how your child will get in touch after arrival (call, WhatsApp, SMS).

Change in Unaccompanied Minor Travel Regulations for England

British Airways, Virgin, and Emirates have updated their policies: children under 14 can no longer fly unaccompanied. Our tip: check the latest requirements with your airline in good time.

That’s it – let the journey begin!