Guidance

Travel abroad from England during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Travel restrictions: check the testing and quarantine rules when you travel abroad and return to England.

From:
Department for Transport
Published
22 June 2021
Last updated
19 July 2021 — See all updates

Applies to England

Changes to international travel rules

From 4am Monday 4 October 2021, the rules for international travel to England will change.

What you need to do to travel abroad and return home if you live in England.

If you travel abroad from England, there are actions you need to take:

  • before you travel abroad
  • before you return to England
  • after you return to England

There is separate guidance for people who live in another country on how to travel to England.

What you need to do to travel abroad

Before you travel abroad, you need to check the entry rules for the country you want to go to.

You should check foreign travel advice to find out if:

  • the country you want to go to will allow people from England to enter
  • the UK government advises against all but essential travel to the country

Check foreign travel advice for all countries you will visit or travel through.

Foreign travel advice will also tell you if you will need to:

  • show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination status to enter a country
  • quarantine when you arrive there

Travel abroad checklist

  1. Check foreign travel advice for all countries you will visit or travel through.

  2. Arrange any COVID-19 tests you will need to take to enter those countries.

  3. Find out how you can use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your vaccination status abroad.

What you need to do to return to England

Travel to England checklist

Before you travel to England, you need to:

  1. Take a pre-departure COVID-19 test - to be taken in the 3 days before you travel to England.

  2. Check the red, amber, green list rules to find out what you need to do when you arrive back in England.

  3. Complete your passenger locator form - any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in England.

You will need to find a test provider for your pre-departure test. If your test result is positive, you must not travel. You must follow local rules and guidance for positive coronavirus cases.

Read more about pre-departure tests before travel to England.

After you arrive in England

What you need to do after you arrive in England depends on where you have been.

Countries are listed as either red, amber or green. The rules for testing and quarantine when you return to England are different for each list.

Check the red, amber and green list to find out what you have to do after you arrive back in England.

Travelling with children

There are different age limits for children for the different COVID-19 travel tests:

  • test to enter another country – check foreign travel advice for the country
  • test before travel back to England – children aged 10 and under do not need to take a test
  • day 2 and day 8 tests after arrival in England – children aged 4 and under do not need to take a test
  • Test to Release test – children of all ages must take the test if adults in their household are taking part in the scheme

Read more about testing and quarantine for children.

Ireland, the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

If you’re travelling to England from within the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you do not need to:

  • complete a passenger locator form
  • take any COVID-19 tests
  • quarantine on arrival in England

You must not have been outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man in the 10 days before you arrive in England.

Check the rules on travel from England if you’re:

Exemptions for work, medical or compassionate reasons

You may be exempt from some or all of the travel and entry rules:

Published 22 June 2021
Last updated 19 July 2021 + show all updates

  1. Changes to amber list rules on quarantine and testing.

  2. First published.

Contents

Part of Travel abroad: step by step

  1. Step 1 Plan your trip

    1. You are currently viewing: Find out how to travel abroad from England during coronavirus (COVID-19)

    There are different rules if you're:

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

    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. Use your NHS COVID Pass to prove you're vaccinated
    3. Check what vaccinations or inoculations you may need on the TravelHealthPro website

  4. Step 4 Travel safely during COVID-19

    1. Find out how to travel safely in the UK during COVID-19
    2. Check guidance for safer air travel during 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 COVID-19 test result or to 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're abroad

    1. Follow the local COVID-19 restrictions

    Find out what to do if:

  7. Step 7 Before you return to the UK

    1. You are currently viewing: Check what you need to do before you return to England during COVID-19

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

    Find out what to do if you want to:

  8. Step 8 After you arrive in the UK

    1. You are currently viewing: Find out what testing and quarantine rules you must follow when you arrive in England during COVID-19
    2. Follow the latest COVID-19 restrictions when you're in England

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

    You may also need to declare goods and pay tax and duty to UK customs.

    1. Check if you need to declare goods and pay tax and duty