Following months of COVID-related chaos, the UK’s travel rules have been simplified. Here’s what you need to know about pre-departure requirements and testing after arriving in the UK from red and non-red countries.
Remember that the destination you’re flying to will have its own rules and regulations. Double-check whether you need to take a test before departing from the UK. The regulations may differ depending on whether you’re vaccinated, unvaccinated or arriving from a red list country.
1. COVID tests: the latest changes for UK travellers
On March 18, 2022, the British government removed the remaining COVID-19 international travel restrictions for all passengers. Passenger locator forms are scrapped, and there are no more tests for anyone entering the UK, including those who don’t qualify as vaccinated. This means that unvaccinated passengers no longer need to take a pre-departure test and a day 2 post-arrival test.
Bear in mind that there still may be different COVID-19 rules if you are entering England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Generally, the rules tend to be more complex for unvaccinated travellers and those returning from red list countries.
2. Local regulations for COVID tests
Every country has its own rules surrounding COVID tests for travel. Before booking your trip, check the latest FCDO guidance to find out if you need a pre-departure test. Some countries won’t require this if you’re fully vaccinated, however, some destinations don’t yet accept the NHS app as proof of vaccination. In these situations, you’ll be treated the same as an unvaccinated passenger.
Do we need a booster for travel?
Several countries in the EU, including France, Spain, Denmark, Portugal, and Greece, started requiring boosters for those who had their final vaccine dose more than 270 days ago.
To qualify under the fully vaccinated rules for travel to the United Kingdom, you’re currently not required to have a booster. You must have proof of vaccination with a full course of an approved vaccine, which is two doses for 2 dose vaccines or one dose for the Janssen vaccine.
You will qualify as fully vaccinated in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales if you:
- are vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme
- are vaccinated under an overseas vaccination programme with an approved proof of vaccination to the UK
- have had a complete course of an approved vaccination i.e. 1 or 2 doses as prescribed by the vaccination programme
- have had a complete course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before you arrive in the UK
What fully vaccinated means in Scotland
In Scotland, there are two definitions of being fully vaccinated. If you want to avoid self-isolating as a close or household contact, you must have had a booster in addition to your first and second doses to be considered fully vaccinated. For travel purposes, however, you only need two doses (or just one dose of a single dose vaccine).
According to Sajid Javid, triple doses will be required to prove full vaccination status throughout the United Kingdom “once all adults have had a reasonable chance to get their booster jab”.
3. What you need to do before and after travel
Fully vaccinated and children aged 12 and above
Passenger locator forms were scrapped for all on March 18, 2022. From February 11, you don’t have to take any UK travel tests or self-isolate.
Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated
Starting March 18, you no longer need to take a pre-departure test and a day 2 post-arrival test. From Februry 11, you don’t have to take a day eight PCR test or quarantine for ten days. Also, unvaccinated arrivals with positive day 2 tests don’t have to self-isolate anymore starting February 24.
Returning from a red list country
(regardless of vaccine status)
- Book a quarantine hotel package before you travel
You’ll need the invoice number for your passenger locator form. - Take a pre-departure test within 48 hours of your flight to the UK
This can be either a PCR or lateral flow test. - Self-isolate at a managed quarantine hotel for 10 days, at your own expense
You’ll stay longer if you get a positive test result. - Take a PCR test on days two and eight at the hotel
There’s no ‘test to release’ option.
“While the red list will continue to remain in place as our first line of defence against future variants of concern arriving from abroad, the government is looking to replace the hotel quarantine policy with other contingency measures including home isolation and further details will be set out on this later in the spring.” — Department for Transport and Department of Health and Social Care
4. The difference between a lateral flow test and a PCR test
Lateral flow tests are quicker than PCR tests and you can easily do them at home. The results are usually available within minutes. Lateral flow testing involves a swab of your nose and throat to collect a sample. The swab is then inserted into a tube of liquid for a short time and dropped on a test strip. After 10-30 minutes, depending on the type of test, you get a result.
In general PCR tests are more accurate than lateral flow tests and cost more. The process for the swab is the same as for a lateral flow test: a swab of your nose and throat. A PCR test can be done at home but instead of seeing the results immediately, you send the test to a lab to get the result. It will then take at least 24 hours for your results to arrive.
5. How much does a test cost?
Prices vary and are dependent on which provider and which type of test you choose. Be mindful when choosing providers to avoid being scammed. There are specific PCR test providers that are government approved for travel. These Travel approved PCR tests can vary in cost from around £30 and up to £250 for a rapid 24h test, depending on the provider. Regular Lateral flow tests can be bought at almost any pharmacy and can range from £10-20.
Discover where you can go
Double-vaccinated travellers don’t need a test to enter most places in the EU and other popular destinations. Check out the best test-free trips you can take now!
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