All countries in the world - including our nearest neighbours in the EU - have entry requirements that visitors need to be aware of when planning to travel. These may include specific rules on passport validity, the need to get a visa or online travel authorisation and health-related entry requirements. 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 checking your destination's entry requirements through to COVID-related considerations. Plus there are some handy links below so you can plan and look forward to your trip with confidence.
From the time you book your holiday to the days leading up to your departure, these are the main things you'll need to consider to ensure your holiday remains on track.
Before or immediately after booking
- 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)
- Register for FCDO alerts for the country(s) to be visited; this is optional but recommended as you will be kept informed of any changes to entry and other requirements
- Purchase travel insurance (if not already in place) with suitable cover for medical expenses (to include COVID cover), cancellation and personal possessions.
One month before outbound travel
- Check the entry requirements for your destination(s) at the FCDO website – see the 'Entry Requirements' and 'Coronavirus' sections
- Do you need a visa, electronic/online travel authority or anything else to enter the country?
- 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?
- Book any vaccinations or COVID tests required for entry to the destination and remember to check how long before arrival your vaccination or COVID test needs to be administered. 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
- Check the FCDO website and destination tourism board website for your destination(s) so you are aware of any late changes to entry requirements and also check for any COVID-related restrictions that apply within the destination, for example, any local travel restrictions, situations where face coverings that must be worn and acceptable types of face covering
Two days before outbound travel
- 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) - many countries have removed the need for these but some countries may still require them
- 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)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel updates
FCDO advice and the latest travel and booking information related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Our Flexibility Promise
Our Flexibility Promise means you can book your next holiday with confidence. These are flexible terms for uncertain times.