Requirements for entering the UK up to 3rd October

Published: 13 Sep 2021
Author: David Warne

This information applies to anyone returning to the UK on or before 3rd October 2021.

The requirements for entering the UK depend on the ‘traffic light’ colour of the country or countries that you have visited in the 14 days before arriving in the UK – and whether you are fully-vaccinated or not. This handy guide tells you all you need to know, whether you're returning from a country on the green, amber or red list.

Fully vaccinated travellers

If you are fully-vaccinated at the time of travel, the requirements for entering the UK from green or amber countries are:

A negative COVID test result taken within the 3 days prior to arrival in the UK
You must complete the UK Passenger Locator Form (PLF) within the 48 hours prior to arrival in the UK
A ‘Day 2’ PCR test taken on or before the second day after you arrive in the UK

You do not need to quarantine or self-isolate (unless your ‘Day 2’ test result is positive)

Travellers that aren't fully vaccinated

If you are not fully-vaccinated, the requirements for entering the UK from a green country are:

A negative COVID test result taken within the 3 days prior to arrival in the UK
You must complete the UK Passenger Locator Form (PLF) within the 48 hours prior to arrival in the UK
A ‘Day 2’ PCR test taken on or before the second day after you arrive in the UK

You do not need to quarantine or self-isolate (unless your ‘Day 2’ test result is positive)

The requirements for entering the UK from an amber country are:

A negative COVID test result taken within the 3 days prior to arrival in the UK
You must complete the UK Passenger Locator Form (PLF) within 48 hours of arrival in the UK
On return to the UK you must self-isolate for 10 days; you must proceed directly to your home or other place where the self-isolation will be undertaken
A ‘Day 2’ PCR test taken on or before the second day after you arrive in the UK
A ‘Day 8’ PCR test taken on or after the 8th day after you arrive in the UK
You can also purchase an optional ‘Test to Release’ PCR test on day 5 that, if negative allows you to leave self-isolation early

Returning from a red list country

Whether fully-vaccinated or not, the requirements for entering the UK if you have been in a red list country in the 14 days prior to arrival are the same:

A negative COVID test result taken within the 3 days prior to arrival in the UK
You must complete the UK Passenger Locator Form (PLF) within 48 hours of arrival in the UK
You must purchase the UK government hotel 10-day (11-night) hotel quarantine package at a minimum cost of £2,285
On arrival in the UK you will be transferred directly to your quarantine hotel where you spend 10 days in quarantine
A ‘Day 2’ PCR test taken on or before the second day after you arrive in the UK
A ‘Day 8’ PCR test taken on or after the 8th day after you arrive in the UK
You cannot leave hotel quarantine early even if your test results are negative

Note that ‘Day 2’, ‘Day 8’ tests and red-list hotel quarantine packages must be purchased from an authorised UK government provider before you complete the UK Passenger Locator Form (PLF), as the booking reference must be entered on the PLF.

Pre-travel COVID test

Before returning to the UK, you'll need to take a pre-travel COVID test, details of which you can find here.

This test can be taken at a COVID test centre aboard (as long as a certificate is issued for the result) or you can pre-book an online video-based consultation test that you purchase prior to leaving the UK.

You will receive a lateral flow/rapid antigen test kit that you take with you and then book an online video appointment for a time within 3 days of arrival in the UK. During the supervised video consultation you will take a COVID sample and you will be instructed to take a picture of the result and email it to the test provider and within an hour they will send a ‘fit-to-fly’ type certificate if your test is negative.

There are two providers offering this service - QURED and The Collinson Group:

Book your test package with QURED

If you are flying with British Airways enter the code ‘BATRAVEL15’ for a 15% discount.

Book your test package with The Collinson Group

Testing on return to the UK

On return to the UK, you'll need to have pre-booked the appropriate test packages, details of which you can find here.

There are several providers offering these test packages and the UK government has a list of approved providers. These include our recommended testing partners, QURED and The Collinson Group.

Book your test package with QURED

if you are flying with British Airways enter the code ‘BATRAVEL15’ for a 15% discount.

Book your test package with The Collinson Group

Enter ‘WEXL20’ for a 20% discount

You can find more details of the ‘Test and Release’ scheme here.

Hotel quarantine packages for red list countries

If you're returning to the UK from a red list country, you'll need to book a quarantine hotel. Packages can only be booked from the UK government provider. These packages also include the ‘Day 2’ and ‘Day 8’ tests.

UK government Passenger locator form (PLF)

Before departing for the UK, you'll need to provide details of your journey via a Passenger Locator Form (PLF). You can find this form here.

Please note that the Republic of Ireland is part of the Common Travel area, along with the four UK nations, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. None of the requirements above apply if travel is wholly within the Common Travel Area.