COVID-19 travel requirements

We know that foreign travel is more complicated than we're accustomed to. To help you work through the process and make sure your holiday runs smoothly, we've put together the following guide. It covers everything from pre-booking tests to checking your destination's entry requirements. Plus there are some more handy links below so you can plan and look forward to your trip with confidence. And, if you have any questions, our specialists are just a phone call away.

From the time you book your holiday to the days leading up to your departure, these are the processes you'll need to complete and the things you'll need to consider to ensure your holiday remains on track. 

Immediately after booking

1. Check your passport expiry date and the required passport validity for entry to your destination(s) at the Foreign Office (FCDO) website (please take particular care to understand the requirements if travelling to EU, Switzerland Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein as validity requirements for UK passports changed after Brexit)
2. Register for FCDO alerts for the country(s) to be visited (optional)
3. Purchase travel insurance with suitable COVID cover (if not already in place). You can find details of our travel insurance here 
   

One month before outbound travel

1. Check the entry requirements for your destination(s) at the FCDO website – see the Entry Requirements section
   • Do you need a visa, electronic/online travel authority or anything else?
   • Is a negative COVID test results required for entry - and if so which type of COVID test (PCR, lateral flow/rapid antigen/LAMP etc)?
   • Do you need to be fully-vaccinated against COVID and what documentation is required to prove your vaccination status (e.g. is NHS COVID Pass accepted)? 
   • Does the destination place any limit or expiry date on COVID vaccinations & boosters? This could be both for entry to the country and also for accessing restaurants, bars, museums, theatres and other venues once in the destination (note that the expiry date placed on vaccinations may be different for entry and domestic use)
   • If you have been in another country in the 30 days prior to travel check if there are any restrictions relating to where you have previously travelled? 
2. Book any COVID tests required for entry to the destination – check how long before arrival your COVID test needs to be taken. Remember to check any transit points, too – i.e. if your journey requires a connection or transit via a third country there may be additional requirements

One week before outbound travel

1. Check the FCDO website and destination tourism board website for your destination(s) so you are aware of any COVID-related restrictions that apply within the destination, for example types of face coverings and any local travel restrictions

Two days before outbound travel

1. Complete any ‘Passenger Locator’ and/or ‘Medical Declaration’ forms required by your destination country, within the timescale required (usually 1–3 days prior to arrival in the destination) 
2. Check that all of your travel and COVID-related documentation is in order – e.g. that you can access your COVID Pass on the NHS app and print any documents required by the transport provider and destination(s)