Find a coronavirus (COVID-19) travel test provider if you're arriving in England

Find where you can get the COVID-19 tests you need to take if you’re arriving in England from abroad.

You must book your tests before you travel and leave enough time for them to be delivered to your address in England.

If you do not know what the rules are, read an overview of all the things you need to do if you’re:

Who this service is for

You need to use this if you’ve been in a country or territory on the green or amber list 10 days before you arrive in England.

Do not use this service if you’ve been in a country or territory on the red list in the 10 days before you arrive in England. You must book a quarantine hotel and test package if you’ve come from a red list country.

Check which countries are on the green, amber and red lists and when you need to take the tests.

You’ll also need to take a test before you depart for England.

Find a test provider

You can compare and choose a test provider based on cost, turnaround time, and whether they are available in your region.

The government does not endorse or recommend any specific test provider - you should do your own research about them and their terms and conditions.

Start now

What you need to know

If you’re arriving in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland

There are different rules. Find out what you need to do:

Test to Release

If you’ve been in a country or territory on the amber list, you can choose to take an additional test to see if you can end quarantine early using the Test to Release scheme.

You can use this service to find Test to Release providers.

Read more about Test to Release.

Tests if you’re leaving England

There is a different way to get tests if you need proof of a negative test result to enter another country.

If you’ve ordered tests and there’s a problem

Contact your test provider to get help with the tests you have ordered. For example, if they have not arrived or you do not have your results.

Give feedback on a test provider to the government. The government cannot help with problems with your tests.

dhsctesttrace.customerfeedbackteam@nhs.net

Part of Travel abroad: step by step

  1. Step 1 Plan your trip

    1. Check foreign travel advice for the country you're travelling to or transiting through

    Find out what you need to do if you're travelling during coronavirus (COVID-19).

    1. Check the latest COVID-19 travel restrictions
    2. Check what you need to do if you're travelling to England from a country or territory on the red, amber and green list
    3. Check if you need a negative test result or to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status to enter your destination, or if you need to quarantine upon arrival
    4. Get a COVID-19 test through a private provider in the UK, if you need one

    Find out what you need to do:

  2. Step 2 Get your passport, visas and permits ready

    How much time you need on your passport depends on the country you're visiting. Check the entry requirements for the country you want to travel to.

    1. Check your passport has enough time left on it for the country you're visiting
    2. Renew or replace your passport
    3. Get a passport for your child

    You may also need a visa to enter some countries.

    1. Check if you need a visa or permit

  3. Step 3 Get travel insurance and check if you need vaccinations or inoculations

    1. Get travel insurance
    2. Get ready to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status
    3. Check what vaccinations or inoculations you may need on the TravelHealthPro website

  4. Step 4 Travel safely and check for travel disruption

    1. Find out how to travel safely in the UK during coronavirus (COVID-19)
    2. Check guidance for safer air travel during COVID-19
    3. Check if there are travel disruptions because of COVID-19

  5. Step 5 Going through border control

    You may need to show paperwork such as your passport or visa. You may also need a negative coronavirus (COVID-19) test result or demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status at the point of entry.

    1. Check the entry requirements for the country you are travelling to or transiting through

  6. Step 6 When you are abroad

    1. Follow the local coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions

    Find out what to do if:

  7. Step 7 Return to the UK

    There are different coronavirus (COVID-19) rules if you're:

    If you’re entering England, there are different rules depending on if you’ve travelled from a country or territory on the:

    • red list
    • amber list
    • green list
    1. Check what you need to do if you're travelling to England from a country or territory on the red, amber and green list
    1. Get a private test before you return to England (pre-departure test)
    2. Complete a passenger locator form
    3. Follow the rules for entering the UK

    Check if you want to:

  8. and When you arrive in the UK

    1. Follow the latest coronavirus restrictions
    2. Declare goods and pay tax and duty to UK customs