Foreign travel checklist
A checklist from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to help British people prepare for travelling and staying safe abroad.
Research your destination
- get up-to-date advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences by checking foreign travel advice for the country you’re visiting
Get insured before you go
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get appropriate travel insurance as soon as you book. Check that it covers the places you will visit, the duration of your visit and any planned activities such as adventure sports
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tell your insurance company about any medical conditions, including undiagnosed conditions which are being investigated, and check that your policy will cover these
Check your documents for travel
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sign your passport and complete the emergency contacts page
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ensure that your passport meets the entry requirements for the country you are visiting (for example, it may need to be valid for a set period after your trip ends)
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take an extra form of photo ID with you, other than your passport
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if you are travelling with children check whether you need extra documentation
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if you plan to drive abroad check whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)
Consider your health
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check the healthcare advice for all countries you’re visiting
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check what vaccinations you need and what health precautions you should take at least 8 weeks before you travel
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check the rules on taking your medicine abroad
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if you are travelling to an EU country or Switzerland, apply for a new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), if your GHIC (or EHIC) has expired. An EHIC or GHIC may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. It is not a substitute for travel insurance
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check whether your accommodation has suitable health and safety standards, including fire safety, and be aware of the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Read Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance on solo and independent travel or volunteering and adventure travel, with further information on the risks from carbon monoxide poisoning. You can also check NHS information about the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
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be alert to the risk of spiked and contaminated drinks, including methanol poisoning – check Travel Aware and foreign travel advice for more information
Prepare for the unexpected
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have a backup plan for accessing key information such as your accommodation details, flight details, passport details, contact numbers and insurance policy (for example, in case you lose your phone). Share it with friends or family or store online using a secure data storage platform
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avoid getting in to financial difficulties abroad by ensuring you can access enough money to pay for unexpected costs or if your main payment method fails (for example, because you have lost your phone and cannot complete two-factor authentication)
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make a note of how to contact the nearest British embassy, high commission, or consulate
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read support for British nationals abroad for guidance on staying safe abroad, and the help the FCDO can provide
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read about how the FCDO can help you if you are affected by a crisis abroad such as a large-scale terrorist attack, natural disaster, or political unrest
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stay up to date before and during travel by following FCDO Travel Advice on Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for email alerts on GOV.UK
Contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
You can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the FCDO in London 24 hours a day on 020 7008 5000 for advice. You should also read the privacy notice to see how the FCDO will process your data.
Feedback
We welcome your views on the support we provide, to help us to identify what we do well and what we could do better. Contact us using our feedback contact form.
Alternatively write to us:
Consular Feedback Team
Consular Directorate
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2AH
Or telephone +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Disclaimer
Our foreign travel checklist aims to help you plan for a trouble-free trip. It is not exhaustive. No foreign travel can be guaranteed as safe, and you take personal responsibility for your own travel. You can read the disclaimer relating to this guidance.
Updates to this page
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Added item on spiked and contaminated drinks to 'Consider your health' section.
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Updated with links to guidance about the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Updated Foreign Travel Checklist
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Checklist has been reviewed and updated.
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Passports and visas section updated on passport validity.
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Updated checklist including travel information on COVID-19 and changes following the end of the UK-EU transition period.
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update to guidance on Heath section
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Added advice on phone IMEI number
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Revised checklist
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First published.