Posted on Friday, 11 February 2022

Optimism for overseas travel to Europe and holidays to far flung destinations is much greater for 2022, as travel restrictions continue to be lifted.

All details are correct at the time of writing. Coronavirus (Covid-19) international travel regulations are subject to change at any time. We recommend that you check the Government website for the latest updates.

The UK Government travel traffic light system has already been removed and replaced by simplified rules for travel, with things set to get even easier from the end of this week...

Travel rules for fully vaccinated travellers entering the UK

From 4am on Friday 11 February, fully vaccinated travellers (two doses) and under-18s will no longer need to take a lateral flow test (LFT) two days after they arrive in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The requirement for these passengers to test before departure to the UK has already been scrapped.

If you have been vaccinated, you will need to:

• declare that you have been fully vaccinated on your passenger locator form
• show proof of your vaccination status to your carrier (ferry, airline or train) when you travel

Read about how you can use the NHS COVID Pass to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status.

 

Travel rules for non-vaccinated / partially vaccinated travellers entering the UK

From 4am on Friday 11 February, travellers who aren't fully vaccinated will no longer have to take a test on day eight.

Unvaccinated travellers will however, still have to show proof of a negative Covid test taken two days before departure and take a post-arrival PCR test on day two.

The need to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival in the UK will also no longer be applicable, unless the day two test is positive.

Pre-arrival PCR test requirements

Coming back from overseas travel, if you are unvaccinated the UK government insists on a test before you board a train, boat or plane to Britain.

If you are travelling from abroad, the foreign travel advice pages on gov.uk will have the latest updates about where you can buy COVID-19 tests in the country you are travelling from.

Your test result must be in English, French or Spanish and certified by proper a medical practice abroad.

The proof of a pre-departure negative test result will be required to be shown as part of health checks at the border. You must provide your original test result certificate; this can be a paper test result, or an original result you have had in an email or text message.

In addition, if you are unvaccinated, you must show proof of your  pre-booked PCR test , which is to be taken two days after you arrive in the UK.  

 

Passengers from any destination will still also be required to fill out a passenger locator form (PLF).

 

Passenger Arrival Forms (Passenger Locator Forms)

You must complete a passenger locator form online before you arrive in the UK.

You can submit the form any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in the UK and it is free to submit the form.

You will need to show your form when you check in to travel or board your plane, train or ferry to the UK.

International travel from the UK: What are the rules on visiting another county?

Different countries will be operating different requirements for entry to visitors from the UK, with some not permitting entry to UK residents at all.

Very few countries allow unrestricted access to those who have not been vaccinated, whilst many countries still require all UK travellers to take a pre-departure PCR test 72 hours before arrival.

If needed, people in England who have both vaccine doses are able to demonstrate their COVID vaccination status via the NHS app. Those without access to the app can request a letter from the NHS proving their vaccination status by calling 119. Test results will not be stated in the app and the process for booking and presenting test results for travel remains unchanged.

 

Covid-19 travel solutions from Start Travel

To provide greater peace of mind for those travelling to Europe, we at Start Travel are pleased to offer our  enhanced COVID-19 Protect Cover. The Covid-19 protect add on covers specific issues relating to COVID-19, including cancellation, curtailment, medical and repatriation expenses.

We have also partnered with MyHealthChecked to offer you private COVID-19 testing at a special discounted rate.

MyHealthChecked is a government approved provider whose founding members are scientists! They offer testing kits which are 99.9% accurate at great prices.

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