Before travelling

Carefully review and follow all the guidance below if you are planning to travel internationally.

Be aware that guidance is updated regularly and can change between booking or planning your trip, and your departure.

FCDO foreign travel guidance

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides the latest official travel information on the COVID-19 entry requirements for every country. You must check the entry requirements section of the travel advice you are travelling to.

Please Read Travel Advice

Safety Requirements

The FCDO travel advice will help you determine whether you need to do any of the following to travel to that country:

  1. Need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before you travel
  2. Need to use a private healthcare provider of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing (COVID-19 testing for the purposes of international travel is not available on the NHS)
  3. Provide proof of recent or past COVID-19 infection (‘fit to fly’ or ‘COVID-19 clearance’ certificates for international travel are not available on the NHS)
  4. Provide proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status
    1. In Scotland, you can get a record of your COVID-19 vaccination status from NHS Inform
    2. In England, the UK government has provided guidance for using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad
    3. In Wales, there is guidance on how to get the NHS COVID Pass to prove you are vaccinated against COVID-19
    4. In Northern Ireland, you can find guidance on how to apply for a travel COVID vaccination certificate

Make sure you check that the name on your proof of vaccination certificate matches the name on your passport. Advice on how to amend incorrect details varies depending on whether you are in Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Consider other health issues

To reduce your risk of requiring medical care abroad, ensure that you:

  • are up to date with any recommended travel vaccines
  • have antimalaria tablets if required
  • are in good health before you travel.

You can review the relevant Foreign travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Country page for up to date travel health recommendations, advice on health risks to be aware of at your destination, and to check if you may need to consider vaccines or antimalarial tablets before you travel.

You should not travel if you are feeling unwell. Even if your symptoms are not related to COVID-19, you will increase your risk of being denied boarding or being quarantined if your illness is detected at entry or exit screening at airports, during your flight, or when crossing borders.

Travel insurance

Make sure your travel insurance will cover your trip. Travel insurance is essential. Always check your policy for exclusions as some may not cover claims related to COVID-19.

If the FCDO advises against travel to a country and you continue with your trip, your travel insurance may become invalid.

Please contact your travel insurance provider if you have specific questions around what your policy covers.

During travel

Check with your travel agent or travel company ahead of planned travel what physical distancing and precautionary hygiene measures have been implemented, and consider how these will affect you.

  • Expect delays and allow extra time for travel.
  • Be prepared to queue or take different routes in and around stations and airports to comply with physical distancing measures.
    Make sure you plan ahead for your trip and consider packing plenty of snacks, particularly if you are travelling with children, or have any medical conditions
  • Shops and restaurants in airports and transport hubs may not be operating as normal, or may have restrictions in place.
  • Food and drinks may need to be pre-ordered or may be unavailable to purchase on board aircraft or other public transport during your trip.

After travel

Review the guidance you will need to follow for when you return to the UK

Check the UK Border Force rules for entering the UK from abroad.

Check and follow the rules for the UK country which you arrive in, or live in if this is different.

UK COVID-19 restrictions

Once back in the UK, you should follow the latest local COVID-19 rules for Scotland, England, Northern Ireland or Wales.

If you develop any symptoms compatible with COVID-19 you should follow the latest guidance for Scotland, England, Northern Ireland or Wales.