Easier German School Trips
On 17 July 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed the Kensington Treaty, a wide-ranging UK-Germany bilateral agreement covering defence, migration, trade—and crucially for education—the easing of travel for German schoolchildren visiting the UK.
Under the new Kensington Treaty provisions:
German school groups can travel to the UK using a pre-approved group list, without each child needing an individual visa or passport.
This applies even to non-EU pupils who are residents in Germany.
The system mirrors the UK-France school trip scheme, simplifying travel administration for teachers and schools.
The scheme is expected to be fully operational by late 2025.
Why This Change Matters for German School Trips
Boosts Educational and Cultural Exchange
Easier travel enables more language-learning opportunities and cultural exposure for German students.
It helps UK cities like London, Oxford, and Canterbury, traditionally popular destinations for German school tours, recover lost tourism revenue.
Strengthens UK-Germany Relations
The Kensington Treaty is a symbolic and practical step to revive educational links post-Brexit.
It reinforces the UK's commitment to maintaining strong ties with EU partners, starting with Germany.
Potential Model for Other EU Countries
This agreement could serve as a blueprint for similar deals with other EU nations, making post-Brexit student group travel to the UK more accessible Europe-wide.
What’s Next for German Schools Planning UK Trips?
German schools can start planning for simpler, cost-effective travel to the UK under the new system.
Travel operators and educators expect a revival of school group tourism, which had suffered due to Brexit-related restrictions.
Further details on the exact application and documentation process for group lists will be announced by the UK Home Office later this year.
Conclusion
The Kensington Treaty is a welcome development for educators, students, and the UK’s educational tourism sector. German school trips to the UK are set to make a strong comeback, restoring cultural ties and enriching the learning experiences of thousands of pupils.
As the UK looks to deepen its post-Brexit relationships with EU neighbours, this is a positive example of bilateral cooperation with long-term educational benefits.