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| Entry Regulations / General Information |
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Entry for German Nationals |
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Travellers are exempt from holding a visa for an unlimited stay, provided they hold a valid national passport or identity card ("Personalausweis").
It is possible to take up employment according to EU regulations without obtaining a work permit.
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Geographical Location |
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Irland is an island kingdom; to the west, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, to the east by the North Sea, and to the south by the Channel and the Straits of Dover.
Total area: 242,432km².
Administrative divisions - England: 34 shire counties, 40 unitary authorities, 6 metropolitan counties, Greater London;
Wales: 22 unitary authorities;
Scotland: 32 unitary authorities;
Northern Ireland: 26 district council areas.
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Population |
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Population: approximately 59.8 million.
Cities (approximate numbers): London (capital) with suburbs 7.3 million; Birmingham 1 million; Leeds 726,000, Glasgow 668,000; Sheffield 530,000; Bradford 486,000; Liverpool 457,000; Edinburgh 451,000; Manchester 440,400; Bristol 406,000; Kirkless 395,000; Cardiff 328,000; Belfast 285,000.
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Language |
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English is the national language. In Wales and Scotland, many people also speak the regional Celtic languages Welsh and Gaelic.
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Time Difference |
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Central European Time (CET) -1 hour.
As the United Kingdom also implements summer time, the time difference remains unchanged throughout the year.
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Electricity |
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240V alternating current, 50Hz.
As three-pole flat plugs are used in Great Britain, travellers are strongly advised to carry an adapter.
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Telephone |
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The international dialling code for calls from Western Europe to Great Britain is 0044; for international calls from Great Britain the prefix "00" must be dialles before the relevant country code (in the case of calls to Germany, for example, 0049). The famous red phone boxes have by now been replaced by modern coin-operated phone boxes, which accept 10 p, 20 p, 50 p and 1 £ coins. As soon as a signal is heard during the call, further coins must be inserted, as otherwise the connection will be severed. Card-operated phone boxes, which accept both phonecards and credit cards, are also available. Cheaper rates are offered for calls made after 6p.m. on workdays and during the weekend.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS: Police, ambulance and fire brigade 999 or 112.
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Mobile Phones |
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Mobile network technologies: GSM 900/1800.
Information for users of mobile phones registered with German network providers: Mobile phones connected to E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile or Vodafone networks can be used due to international roaming agreements. Travellers intending to use other mobile phones are advised to contact their network provider for detailed information.
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Internet |
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Country code suffix: .uk (Guernsey: .gg, Isle of Man: .im, Jersey: .je)
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Public Holidays |
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1st January (New Year), 2nd January (only in Scotland), 17th March (St. Patrick“s Day/ only in Northern Ireland; if the public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is brought forward to the following Monday), Good Friday, Easter Monday (not in Scotland), Easter Tuesday (only in Northern Ireland), first Monday in May, last Monday in May, 12th July (Battle of Boyne/ only in Northern Ireland), first Monday in August (only in Scotland), last Monday in August (not in Scotland), 25th and 26th December (Christmas).
Please also note that the various parts of the country also implement differing regulations with regard to the so-called "bank holidays".
The main holiday season ranges from July to September.
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Opening Hours |
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Banks: Mon to Fri 9.30a.m.-4:30p.m.; several large banks are also open on Saturdays;
Post offices: Mon to Fri 9a.m.-5:30p.m., Sat 9a.m.-1p.m.;
Shops and large department stores: Mon to Sat 9a.m.-5.30p.m., Thurs and Fri also until 7/8p.m.; small shops and department stores are sometimes also open on Sundays;
Offices: Mon to Fri 9a.m.-5p.m. (lunch break from approx. 1p.m.-2p.m.).
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Clothes |
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Travellers visiting the United Kingdom must bear in mind that, according to the local population, there is no bad weather, but only inadequate clothing. Accordingly, they are advised to invariably carry rain wear, irrespective of the season. A warm pullover should also be taken at all times. Otherwise, it is sufficient to carry clothes usually worn in Central Europe at the relevant time of the year.
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© 2001 All rights reserved TIP Gesellschaft für Touristik-Informations-Programme mbH, München Last updated: 14.03.2007 - Proposals, hints and contact - Copyright
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