GOV.UK
Guidance
Foreign travel checklist
Advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to help you prepare for foreign travel and stay safe abroad.
Before you go
- check our travel advice for the country you are visiting. Sign up for email alerts to get the latest updates
- follow @FCOtravel on Twitter and like our Facebook page
- find out where your nearest British embassy or consulate will be, in case you need to contact them in an emergency
- tell family and friends where you’re going and leave them your contact details, insurance policy details and itinerary. Store them securely online
- ensure you have access to funds to cover emergencies and unexpected delays. Take more than one means of payment with you (cash, debit card, credit card)
- find out if travellers cheques are appropriate for your destination and keep a separate record of their numbers
- invest in a good travel guide to help you plan your trip and consider using online travel forums for more detail about your destination
- check with your service provider to make sure your phone works abroad. Consider leaving your phone’s IMEI number with a friend or family member, to help block or locate the phone if there’s a problem
- if you’re going to be driving abroad, make sure your licence is current and valid and be aware of the driving laws in the country you are visiting
- if you’re travelling with children who are unaccompanied by one or both parents, check our guidance on permissions that you might need to get and check the policy of your airline or transport provider
Entry requirements, visas and passports
- check the entry requirements of the country you’re travelling to
- make sure you’ve got correct visas for the country you’re visiting and that your passport is valid
- for some countries your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date you travel. Check the requirements for passport validity in our travel advice
- if you’re applying for a passport for the first time, you need to attend an interview at HM Passport Office to verify your identity. It takes up to six weeks to get a first passport. More information
- make a note of your passport number and take a photocopy with you, or store it securly online
- fill in the emergency contact details in your passport. This will help government officials to contact next of kin if you have an accident
Insurance
- get travel insurance and make sure it covers you for any activities you are likely to do, including extreme or water sports
- if you’re travelling within the European Economic Area and Switzerland you can get a free European Health Insurance Card for free or reduced emergency care. You still need travel insurance to cover loss or damage to personal items
- phone 112 to contact the emergency services in any EU country
Health
- visit your GP or travel health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to check what vaccinations you need
- take enough medical supplies for the duration of your visit and any unexpected delays. Medical supplies may be subject to supply constraints in some countries and in remote areas
- check the National Travel Health Network and Centre and NHS Choices advice about travelling with medicines and contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country you’re travelling to if you need more information
When you’re abroad
- think about what you are doing at all times and trust your instincts. Don’t take risks that you wouldn’t in the UK
- don’t openly display valuables such as mobile phones or digital cameras and consider using a padlock on suitcases or backpacks
- find out how to minimise your risk from terrorism and what to do if there’s a terrorist attack
- find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws. There may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home
- be careful when taking photographs, videos or using binoculars. These activities may be misunderstood by local authorities, especially near military installations.
- store useful numbers on your phone such as the local police and the nearest British embassy or consulate
- whether you’re living abroad or visiting, be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, just as you would in the UK; the ‘Be Alarmed’ campaign gives practical advice on how to stay safe and lists the symptoms to look out for
- check import regulations for food and plants before you attempt to bring them back to the UK