Latest travel news
All the travel rule changes since the Omicron variant
For information on the situation in Ukraine please see our Ukraine page.
Summary of changes
Last updated: Feb 25
Update: Feb 25. Impact of the war in Ukraine.
For information about the impact of the war in Ukraine on travel from the UK please visit our Ukraine page.
Update: Feb 11. Tests to return to the UK scrapped.
From February 11th, fully-vaccinated travellers will no longer need to take a day 2 test on returnuing to the UK, and travellers who aren't fully vaccinated will only need a pre-departure and day 2 test - so just in time for half-term it'll be easier to get away than any time since 2020.
The French government has also declared they'll be scrapping inbound tests for vaccinated visitors, but we've not heard a firm date yet.
Update: Feb 1. New EU rules for fully-vaccinated travellers.
The EU passed a directive changing the definition of "fully-vaccinated", so that a second vaccine (or first, where the full course is a single dose) only qualified for 270 days, after which "fully-vaccinated" means a third or booster dose. The directive has been implemented by most popular European holiday destinations including Spain, France, Portugal, Italy and Greece, so if your second jab was more than nine months ago you'll need a booster to get in, and in most cases to move freely about.
Update: Jan 5. Travel testing system simplified
From Friday Jan 7, most of the tests you needed for travelling back to the UK are being scrapped and the testing system simplified. If you're fully-vaccinated or under-18, you'll no longer need a pre-departure test. You'll no longer need a day 2 PCR test, but can use a (paid-for) lateral flow instead. You'll no longed need to isolate while you wait for your results (but you will need to isolate and follow up with a PCR test if they come back positive).
For unvaccinated travellers
From 4am on Tues Dec 7, take a pre-departute test and complete a passenger locator form. Book private PCR tests for days 2 and 8 and self-isolate for 10 days. You can reduce the isolation period by booking an additional private test and using test to release.
The red list
There were 11 countries on the red list until 4am on Wednesday December 15, when they were all removed. At time of writing there are no countries on the UK red list.
Countries that have recently changed their travel rules
Australia reopens to international visitors on February 21.
Austria has implemented the EU directive requring visitors to prove they have either received a second vaccination less than 270 days ago or a booster vaccine more recently. Austria is closed to visitors who do not meeting this standard of fully-vaccinated.
Bali has reopened to international visitors.
Belgium no longer requires UK visitors to quarantine.
France has implemented the EU directive requring visitors to prove they have either received a second vaccination less than 270 days ago or a booster vaccine more recently. France is effectively closed to visitors who do not meeting this standard of fully-vaccinated.
Greece has implemented the EU directive requring visitors to prove they have either received a second vaccination less than 270 days ago or a booster vaccine more recently. Visitors who do not meet this standard of fully-vaccinated must present a negative test on arrival.
Ireland advises and prefers (but has not mandated in law) all UK visitors take a daily lateral flow test for their first five days in Ireland.
Japan is now closed to all visitors (but was already closed to UK visitors so we shouldn't be affected). You cannot fly to Japan.
Morocco has reopened and resumed international flights.
Spain (including the Canary and Balearic islands). has implemented the EU directive requring visitors to prove they have either received a second vaccination less than 270 days ago or a booster vaccine more recently. Spain is closed to visitors who do not meeting this standard of fully-vaccinated.
Thailand has reopened to international visitors.
FAQs
When is the next review of the UK rules?
The only rule left to change is the Passenger Locator Form, and that isn't expected to change soon.
Can I still test to release?
Unvaccinated travellers can still shorten their 10-day self-isolation period by booking an additional private test.
What else has changed?
Domestically, Plan B has now been implemented, which means the government encourages people to work from home if they are able to, masks are once again compulsory in some public settings, and vaccine passports (or a negative test) are required for some events. None of the changes directly affect or limit overseas travel.
