Visitors to the Antarctic must comply with certain rules to avoid causing harm to the environment.
Source: Fritz Hertel/UBA
The reasons for travelling to the Antarctic are as varied as the possibilities to do so. We have compiled information on the following pages to help you plan your journey to the Antarctic in accordance with the high environmental standards in effect and to apply for your permit with us.
If you are planning to take a tourist cruise to the Antarctic, please ensure that your tour operator has acquired a permit from the appropriate competent authority. Individuals travelling on a cruise ship need not submit an application on their own. However, each and every visitor to the Antarctic must familiarise himself/herself with the local visitor guidelines. Detailed information can be found in the flyer. Please observe these rules during your stay and consider it your personal way to make your journey to the Antarctic as environmentally sound as possible.
If you are planning your own trip from Germany as a tourist, journalist, or researcher to the Antarctic and if your trip originates in Germany, you must submit a written application for a permit for your planned activity to the Federal Environment Agency. This applies for example to a journey to the Antarctic on a yacht, a visit to a research station, plans to go mountain climbing, filming activities, etc. This rule also applies if you are a German national and your trip originates in another country, for example Chile or New Zealand.
Most visitors to Antarctica reach the perpetual ice by ship.
Source: Fritz Hertel/UBA
Penguins are used to the sight of a ship at busy points of disembarkation.
Source: Fritz Hertel/UBA
The UBA’s motto, For our environment (“Für Mensch und Umwelt”), sums up our mission pretty well, we feel. In this video we give an insight into our work.
Due to the large number of enquiries, there may be delays in responding. We ask for your understanding.
