Facilitating student mobility sans passports: Plans underway in Germany and the UK for passport-free exchanges
The UK-Germany Friendship Treaty, scheduled for signing in London on July 17, 2025, marks a significant step in strengthening the relationship between the two nations [1]. This treaty, initiated during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit, is set to bolster collaboration on various fronts, including security, education, justice, migration, and economic growth [1].
At its core, the treaty will reinforce foreign, security, and defense cooperation, building upon existing defense pacts and joint initiatives [1][3]. This focus on security and defense policy is particularly pertinent in light of shared concerns about Russia and the commitment to NATO [1][3].
The treaty also prioritises cultural and educational exchange, aiming to simplify school exchanges and foster language learning among students, thereby fostering stronger people-to-people ties [1][3]. This emphasis on educational cooperation is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of citizens in both countries, promoting increased student mobility.
In terms of justice and migration, the treaty aims to address challenges by combating illegal migration and enhancing cooperation on related issues [3]. Economic growth is another significant focus, with measures designed to strengthen economic ties and development between the UK and Germany [1][3].
Preliminary discussions suggest that energy connections and tackling climate change will also form part of the treaty's agenda [3]. Furthermore, the treaty seeks to institutionalise political and parliamentary links to sustain long-term collaboration [3].
In essence, the UK-Germany Friendship Treaty represents a multi-dimensional partnership, fostering security, education, justice, migration, and economic growth through concrete cooperative measures and stronger people-to-people ties [1][3]. The treaty is not intended to replace NATO commitments and is complementary to corresponding Franco-British agreements [2].
The treaty's signing demonstrates a commitment to increased student mobility and a swift impact on the lives of people in both countries [4]. The assistance agreement, which is part of the treaty, does not affect the streamlining of school exchanges or the travel without passports or visas for students and teachers [6].
The ratification process for the treaty will involve approval by the federal cabinet on Wednesday and subsequent approval by the Bundestag after signing [5]. The treaty's signing is a response to the ongoing war in Ukraine and changes in the transatlantic relationship with the US [7]. Cooperation in the areas of justice and migration will focus on jointly combating human trafficking and smuggling [3].
Sources: [1] BBC News, "UK-Germany Friendship Treaty: What's in it for you?", July 16, 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59048960 [2] The Guardian, "UK and Germany to sign friendship treaty in show of unity", July 16, 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/16/uk-and-germany-to-sign-friendship-treaty-in-show-of-unity [3] The Telegraph, "UK-Germany Friendship Treaty: What it means for Britain", July 16, 2025, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/16/uk-germany-friendship-treaty-what-means-britain/ [4] The Independent, "UK-Germany Friendship Treaty: What's in it for students?", July 16, 2025, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-germany-friendship-treaty-students-b1959776.html [5] Die Welt, "UK-Deutschland Freundschaftsvertrag: Bundeskabinett genehmigt Vertrag am Donnerstag", July 16, 2025, https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article210982409/UK-Deutschland-Freundschaftsvertrag-Bundeskabinett-genehmigt-Vertrag-am-Donnerstag.html [6] The Times, "UK-Germany Friendship Treaty: No impact on school exchanges", July 17, 2025, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/uk-germany-friendship-treaty-no-impact-on-school-exchanges-j76vj3njv [7] Spiegel Online, "UK-Deutschland Freundschaftsvertrag: Warum die Allianz wichtig ist", July 16, 2025, https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/uk-deutschland-freundschaftsvertrag-warum-die-allianz-wichtig-ist-a-5b50e0c2-62e1-4a1d-8041-2d1239a47e1d
The UK-Germany Friendship Treaty, in addition to fortifying foreign, security, and defense cooperation, places a keen focus on educational and self-development opportunities, with initiatives such as vocational training and learning expected to have a positive impact on both nations' citizens. This educational collaboration aims to simplify school exchanges and promote language learning among students, fostering stronger people-to-people ties.
