• Visa waiver via Visa Waiver Program (VWP): up to 90 days without a visa (tourism, business).
• ESTA is mandatory – electronic travel authorization before departure. Valid for 2 years or until passport expiry.
• Cost: 21 USD (4 USD processing fee + 17 USD authorization).
• Passport requirement: biometric passport (e-passport) required.
• Application: Recommended at least 72 hours before departure, response usually quick. Online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
• No guarantee of entry: Border officers ultimately decide on entry.
• Exclusion: Persons who traveled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria after March 1, 2011, or to Cuba after Jan 12, 2021, or are dual citizens of these countries, are excluded from VWP – a visa is required.
• Transit: ESTA is required even when transiting through the USA.
• Note for transgender travelers: Gender on application must match gender assigned at birth. Travelers with an “X” marker or different gender should seek advice from the US consulate in advance.
• Other: Travel plans (return flight, accommodation) may be relevant upon entry to the USA.

• ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) Mandatory for German citizens from April 2, 2025 for short stays (up to 6 months).
• Cost: £16 per person, non-refundable.
• Passport requirement: biometric passport (e-passport) required.
• Validity: Multiple entry up to 2 years or until passport expiry.
• Application: Via UK ETA app or website, decision usually within minutes to 3 working days. Online at gov.uk/eta.
• Transit: ETA required if border control is involved, pure airside transit excluded.
• Exceptions: British/Irish citizens, individuals with valid UK visa.

Common conversions (USA & UK)

Conversion	Europe (metric)	USA / UK (imperial)
Length (cm / inch)
Length (cm / foot)
Length (kilometer / mile)
Weight (kilogram / pound)

USA

Conversion	Europe (metric)	USA (imperial)
Temperature (°C / °F)
Grams / ounces
Milliliters / fluid ounces
Liters/100 km / miles/gallon
Kilograms / US tons

UK

Conversion	Europe (metric)	UK (imperial)
Kilograms / stone
Liters/100 km / miles/gallon

Shoe size converter

EU:
UK:
US (Men):
US (Women):

Dress size converter (Women)

(For men, there is no internationally unified or even remotely standardized system)

EU:
UK:
US:

Men's clothing sizes

DE / EU	International	Chest (cm)	Waist (cm)
44–46	S	88–93	78–81
48–50	M	94–101	82–89
52–54	L	102–109	90–97
56–58	XL	110–117	98–105
60–62	XXL	118–125	106–113
64–66	3XL	126–133	114–121
68–70	4XL	134–141	122–129
72–74	5XL	142–149	130–137

Women's clothing sizes

DE / EU	International	Chest (cm)	Waist (cm)	Hips (cm)
32–34	XS	76–81	60–65	84–89
36–38	S	82–89	66–73	90–97
40–42	M	90–97	74–81	98–105
44–46	L	98–105	82–89	106–113
48–50	XL	106–113	90–97	114–121
52–54	XXL	114–121	98–105	122–129

General speed limits (cars)

Special features and differences

Wales

• Since September 17, 2023, the default speed limit in urban areas in Wales is 20 mph (32 km/h) instead of 30 mph.
• Applies to all roads with streetlights spaced less than 200 yards (~183 meters) – effectively all populated areas.
• This is law, not a recommendation. Some exceptions requested by local councils.

Scotland

• Also plans nationwide introduction of 20 mph in urban areas, but not fully implemented yet (as of 2025).

England

• Keeps 30 mph as standard in urban areas.
• Many cities have 20 mph zones, especially in residential areas and near schools – but not nationwide.

Northern Ireland

• Barely differs from England.
• Also: 30 mph in urban areas, sometimes 20 mph zones.

In practice

• Urban areas: If no zone is signposted → default speed as above.
• Signs with mph: UK uses miles per hour exclusively, not km/h.
• Mobile and fixed speed cameras are widespread.
• Traffic surveillance via video and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) is common.
• Motorway sections with variable speed limits (e.g. 50 or 60 mph in traffic jams or construction zones) are frequent.

Speed limits by vehicle type

(England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland – unless stated otherwise)

General speed limits (cars)

Special features and differences

• The USA has no nationwide speed limits – each state sets its own limits.
• Some states also differentiate between cars, trucks, and trailers.
• Urban areas often have lower limits in school zones (e.g. 15–25 mph with flashing lights)..
• Montana and South Dakota allow 80 mph on freeways; Texas even up to 85 mph (137 km/h) on certain toll roads.
• California: Typical max is 65 mph; trucks may go no faster than 55 mph.
• Speed limits are strictly posted in mph – conversion is the driver's responsibility.
• Speed traps are banned in many states, but manual or LIDAR enforcement is common.

In practice

• Interstates often have variable limits (e.g. for construction or weather).
• A "Speed Limit" sign is always to the right of the road, rarely overhead.
• "Speed enforced by aircraft" means sections are monitored from the air – rare but serious.
• Speed limit = law – tolerance is very low, especially in states with "zero tolerance" policies (e.g. Virginia).

Speed limits by vehicle type

(Varies widely by state; following are typical averages)

Vehicle type	Urban	Rural roads	Highway / Interstate
Car without trailer	25–35 mph	55–65 mph	65–75 mph (up to 85 mph in Texas)
Car with trailer	25–35 mph	50–60 mph	60–70 mph
Motorcycle	25–35 mph	55–65 mph	65–75 mph
Motorhome (under 10,000 lbs)	25–35 mph	55–65 mph	65–75 mph
Motorhome (over 10,000 lbs)	25–35 mph	50–60 mph	60–70 mph
Truck (commercial)	25–35 mph	50–60 mph	55–70 mph (e.g. 55 mph in California)
Buses / school buses	20–35 mph	45–55 mph	55–65 mph