Travel To The UK

You can skip the introduction and go direct to the section you require:
Step By Step guide
Green Country
Amber Country
Red Country

INTRODUTION

To enter the UK there are three things you need to do.
1) Have a negative Covid test not older than 72 hours.
2) Purchase a test kit.
3) Complete a passenger locater form.

1) Have a negative Covid test.

You must have proof of a negative coronavirus (COVID-19) test to travel to England.

You must take a test even if:

You must take the test in the 3 days before the service on which you will arrive in England departs.

For example, if you travel directly to England on Friday, you can take the test on or after Tuesday and will need to have the negative result available before boarding on Friday.

Your test result can be provided as:

  • a printed document
  • an email or text message you can show on your phone – make sure your device is charged

If you do not present proof you tested negative, you may not be able to board your transport to England.

If you arrive in England without proof you tested negative, you could be fined £500.

You will need to find a private test provider to take a test.

You can choose to take a test:

  • in the place where you start your journey
  • in another country on your way to England, if you are travelling through another country

If your journey to England is long, and will involve stopping in another country on the way, you should try to take a test in the country you’re travelling through. This is so you take the test in the 3 days before you board the final service to England.

For example, if you’re driving from Germany and you stop for a few days in Belgium, you should take a test in Belgium.

If you’re travelling by plane and changing flights, where possible you should get a test within 3 days of your final departure point to England.

More information is available on the UK Government website

2) Purchase a test kit.

Before you depart for the UK you will need to Book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test or a day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 travel test– to be taken after arrival in England. Which test kits you need to order will depend on whether you arrive from a Green, Amber or Red country. Full details are available here.

Here you can find a list of Government approved suppliers of day 2 and day 8 test kits, however we have found Dante Labs and Testing For All to be quite efficient and reasonably priced. (If they are sold out, refer to the full list of suppliers for an alternative provider).

Here you can find a list of Government approved suppliers of day 2 test kits, however we have found Dante Labs and Testing For All to be quite efficient and reasonably priced. (If they are sold out, refer to the full list of suppliers for an alternative provider).

 

3) Complete Passenger Locator.

You must complete the passenger locator form online before you arrive in the UK from any country. This includes if you’re travelling from a country or territory where you do not have to self-isolate when you arrive in the UK. You must complete this form even if you’ve already completed a different form to enter another country.

If you do not complete the form before you arrive in the UK, it’s likely to take you longer to enter the UK. You may face a £100 fine or be refused entry if you do not. You must complete the for, even if you are a British Citizen and were away for just a few hours.

You cannot submit the form until 48 hours before you’re due to arrive in the UK.

You must complete the form online. Do not print out the form and fill it in by hand.

You’ll need:

    • your passport details
    • the name of the airline, train or ferry company you’re travelling with
    • the name of the company organising your tour group – if you’re travelling as part of a tour group
    • your booking reference
    • the name of the airport, port or station you’ll be arriving into
  • the date you’ll be arriving
  • your flight, train, bus or ferry number
  • the address you’ll be staying at for your first 14 days in the UK
  • details of someone who can be contacted if you get ill while you’re in the UK

If you’re travelling by Eurostar or Eurotunnel:

  • put ‘Eurostar’ or ‘Eurotunnel’ when the form asks ‘What is the flight number, train service or ship name that you will arrive on?’
  • provide your scheduled time of departure

Follow the instructions and complete the form. Once completed you’ll be given the option to print it out. If you have a tablet or smartphone you can present it at the border on the phone. if you don’t you must have it printed out.

 

STEP BY STEP GUIDE

If you’re travelling to England, what you need to do depends on where you have been in the 10 days before you arrive. The UK has divided countries into three categories. Red List, Amber List, Green List. (Click on an item for a complete list of countries within that category).

As a quick guide:
Australia, Gibraltar and Israel are on the Green list.
Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ukraine, United States are on the Amber list.
Egypt & Turkey are on the Red list.

You must follow these rules even if you have been vaccinated, are a British citizen returning home.

In all cases you should have all items printed out ready to hand over to the check in desk at the airport. If you are traveling with Eurotunnel from France you must also complete a checklist to hand over at check-in with all your other documents. The form can be downloaded here.

 

GREEN COUNTRY 

If arriving form a Green country you will NOT need to quarantine upon your arrival but you WILL need the following.

  1. Negative COVID-19 test taken in the 3 days before you arrive to the UK
  2. Book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England. An invoice will be emailed to you which you must print out and have with you.
  3. Complete a passenger locator form. (Click here to complete the form)

Here you can find a list of Government approved suppliers of day 2 test kits, however we have found Dante Labs and Testing For All to be quite efficient and reasonably priced. (If they are sold out, refer to the full list of suppliers for an alternative provider).

Children aged 4 and under do not need to take this test.

You do not need to quarantine unless the test result is positive.

You must quarantine if NHS Test & Trace informs you that you travelled to England with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

 

AMBER COUNTRY 

If arriving form an Amber country you will need to quarantine for 10 days upon your arrival and need the following.

  1. Negative COVID-19 test taken in the 3 days before you arrive to the UK
  2. Book and pay for a day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 travel test – to be taken after arrival in England. An invoice will be emailed to you after purchase which you must print out and have with you.
  3. Complete a passenger locator form. (Click here to complete the form)

Here you can find a list of Government approved suppliers of day 2 and day 8 test kits, however we have found Dante Labs and Testing For All to be quite efficient and reasonably priced. (If they are sold out, refer to the full list of suppliers for an alternative provider).

You will need to quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days

Children aged 4 and under do not need to take the day 2 or day 8 test.

You may be able to end quarantine early if you pay for a private COVID-19 test through the Test to Release scheme.

 

RED COUNTRY 

If arriving form an Red country you will need to quarantine for 10 days upon your arrival and need the following.

  1. Negative COVID-19 test taken in the 3 days before you arrive to the UK
  2. Book a quarantine hotel package, including 2 COVID-19 tests
  3. Complete a passenger locator form

On arrival in England you must:

Quarantine in a managed hotel, including 2 COVID-19 tests

You cannot currently enter the UK if you’ve been in or through a country on the red list unless you’re British, Irish or you have the right to live in the UK.