If you want to do an internship in the UK, clarify entry first. For Europeans, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is generally required instead of a visa. Whether your internship is covered depends on its duration and activity, and that is exactly where the most common mistake happens.
Short answer: For Germans, an ETA generally applies instead of a visa if you stay up to 6 months. The fee is 20 pounds according to gov.uk (retrieved October 2026). With an ETA for a visit you are not allowed to work. Whether an unpaid internship counts as a visit is something you check in advance on gov.uk and with the British diplomatic mission. Status: October 2026.
The key points in brief
- Europeans generally need an ETA rather than a classic visa for stays of up to 6 months.
- The ETA costs 20 pounds according to gov.uk. It is linked to your passport.
- No work is permitted with an ETA for visits, including paid work.
- Whether an unpaid internship is permitted depends on its purpose and duration, and this has to be checked.
- According to the status of this guide, the UK is not part of Erasmus+. Ask your international office for the current position.
Which entry form suits your internship?
Entry depends on duration and purpose. For a short stay as a visitor, the ETA is usually sufficient for Europeans. An internship does not automatically fall under the visitor rules, even if it is short. That is why it is worth checking the rules before you accept a placement.
| Stay | Typical status | Work or internship |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 months, visit | ETA (for Europeans, as a rule) | No work permitted |
| Internship within a visit | check required under gov.uk rules | no reliable statement without checking |
| Longer than 6 months | other status, application required | depends on the category, ask the diplomatic mission |
The row on internships under visitor status is deliberately cautious. The official page we reviewed does not contain a complete statement on this. Read the rules on permitted activities on gov.uk before you accept.
How do you apply for the ETA?
- Check that your passport is valid for the whole length of your stay, as the ETA is linked to it.
- Apply for the ETA through the official offer on gov.uk, not through intermediaries who add fees.
- Pay the 20 pound fee as part of the application.
- Save the confirmation digitally, because the ETA is stored electronically.
- Before you book your flight, clarify which status applies to your internship, and get the answer in writing.
What does this mean for work and pay?
Pay is not provided for under visitor status. Unpaid activities are not automatically permitted either, because for an internship the character of the activity decides. An internship that runs like a job can count as work. So do not just ask the employer, check the rules yourself. If you are unsure, ask the British diplomatic mission in Germany and keep the answer in writing.
Health insurance: what is covered in the UK?
German statutory health insurance covers treatment abroad only to a limited extent. Clarify with your health insurer whether and to what extent your insurance card applies in the UK before you leave. Many students add private travel health insurance for the internship and the trip. How this works during a semester abroad is explained in Health Insurance Abroad: What Applies During Your Semester.
How do you fund an internship in the UK?
The usual route via Erasmus+ falls away according to the status of this guide, because Britain has not been part of the programme since Brexit. Check with your international office whether this has changed, because funding rules change regularly. Other routes remain open.
| Funding route | For whom | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Erasmus+ | participating programme countries | According to this guide’s status not part of the programme, ask your international office |
| BAföG for training abroad | compulsory internship under the study regulations | Decision by the office for education grants, Section 5(2) BAföG |
| DAAD funding programmes | students with a stay abroad planned | Check calls and deadlines in the DAAD portal |
Assumption for a worked example: you plan a 12-week unpaid internship in London. The ETA costs 20 pounds. Accommodation and living costs you pay yourself, so add up the total in advance and include insurance. For the comparison with the USA, with visa and sponsor, see Internship in the USA: Visa, Insurance and Funding.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for a four-week internship?
For a short stay of up to 6 months, an ETA is generally sufficient for Europeans. Check in advance whether your internship counts as a visit. A misinterpretation can cause problems at entry.
Can I go to the UK with Erasmus+?
According to the status of this guide, no. Ask your international office about current partnerships and funding routes, because the position can change. Without a partnership, BAföG and DAAD programmes remain as routes.
How long is the ETA valid?
The ETA is designed for stays of up to 6 months. Its validity is linked to your passport. Check the term in the application before you pay.
What happens if I stay longer than planned?
Then the ETA is no longer sufficient, and you need permission for the longer stay. Clarify this with the British diplomatic mission in advance, before you book the flight.
Related reading
- Internship During Studies: Pay, Duration and Rules
- Health Insurance Abroad: What Applies to Long Stays
- Internship in the USA: Visa, Insurance and Funding
- Scholarships for students: Types, providers, requirements
Sources: Gov.uk, Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), fee and length of stay (retrieved October 2026); Section 5 BAföG, training abroad (Gesetze im Internet, retrieved October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
