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COVID: Which Countries Are OK For UK Travel?

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Before you read

The information in this article is no longer relevant, following the UK’s removal of all COVID travel restrictions in late 2021. We’re keeping the page as a reminder of how difficult things became.

When the UK Government updated its COVID travel advice for many countries, it’s fair to say many of us were left confused. After the so-called air bridges were abandoned, the reciprocation of relaxed restrictions vanished. While the UK government now allows travel amidst the COVID pandemic, it has implemented a country-specific red, amber, green traffic light system to determine the quarantine restrictions imposed when you arrive in the UK. There’s also no guarantee the countries you’re planning to visit are welcoming arrivals in the same way! So, with the coronavirus pandemic continuing, which countries are OK for UK passengers to travel between during COVID? Search no further, we’ve compiled a definitive list that covers the essentials.

In this post:

Hotel quarantine – check before you book

If you can go, can you get in? Assuming you can get in, do you have to quarantine? When you travel to the UK, can you get back to the country you left?

While some countries are reciprocating the removal of restrictions, others are mandating testing on arrival. It’s important to know whether the country you’re visiting requires quarantine in government-run facilities as this can massively inflate costs. In others cases, the country may mandate that you apply in advance for permission to enter or may simply be closed to all but the most essential visitors. Check the entry requirements before you book.

Can You Get In? Can you return?

In this post, we’ve examined the COVID travel restrictions from the perspective of a tourist wanting to visit the UK, and a UK tourist wanting to travel abroad. We’ve gone through the British Government’s list country-by-country to better understand the restrictions in place on both sides. Our handy table should help you see which countries are practical to travel to and from the UK after the recent COVID updates.

If you’re planning to transit through another country as part of your itinerary, see our summary of restrictions through major hub airports around the globe.

What if I’m vaccinated?

Some countries are relaxing testing and quarantine rules for fully-vaccinated tourists. Many other countries don’t yet have a vaccination policy in place for visitors and treat vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers alike. We’ve included the vaccination policy for each country in our list below.

What the traffic lights mean

Red, amber, green? What does it mean in practice?! The colours colour status for each country is set by the UK Government and applies to travel to the UK during the COVID pandemic. Each country also has their own rules for arrivals from the UK. We’ve put the UK and originating country rules side-by-side, so that you can make an easy comparison.

Red

Only document-carrying residents will be allowed to enter the UK from countries on the red list. Those permitted to enter must stay at a government-designated quarantine hotel for 10 days. There are no exemptions for vaccinated travellers.

Before you travel to the UK you must:

You must do this even if you are fully vaccinated.

⚠️
If you are allowed to enter the UK after visiting a red list country in the last 10 days, you must quarantine in a government-designated “quarantine hotel” at their own expense. The cost is currently £2,285 for 1 person and £3,715 for 2 people in a room, which includes meals. You will also need to take two COVID tests during your quarantine.

More information about the cost and procedures for quarantine hotels

Amber

There are currently no countries on the UK amber list.

Green

Entry to the UK is permitted to all arrivals from countries on the green list. The rules are different for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers:

Vaccinated travellers

If you are fully vaccinated and arrive in the UK after 4am Tuesday 30 November, you:

  • must self-isolate
  • take a PCR test before the end of day 2 after you arrive (lateral flow tests will not be accepted)
  • can leave self-isolation if your PCR test result is negative

Unvaccinated travellers

Before you travel to the UK you must:

After you arrive in the UK you must:

You must take the first test on or before day 2 and the second test on or after day 8. The day you arrive is day 0.

If you are in the UK for less than 10 days, you need to quarantine for the time you are there. You need to book day 2 and day 8 PCR tests. You only need to take the tests if you are still in the country on those days.

Transiting in the UK

Airside transit is permitted for arrivals for all countries. Landslide transit (which includes change of terminal or airport) is not permitted for passengers who have been in a red list country in the last 10 days.

Read our dedicated UK transit article.

The Full Country List

Last updated: 29 November 2021

Below is a summary of the restrictions for travel to and from the UK during COVID.

These are the countries that the UK government has explicitly mentioned in their COVID travel guidance since they first published the traffic light travel restrictions back in May. We’re doing our best to keep this table up-to-date. Advice is frequently changing.

Key

🟢 – UK Green list
🟡 – UK Amber list
🔴 – UK Red list
Fully-vaccinated – At least 2 weeks have passed since you have received all required doses of an approved vaccine and you are able to evidence this with the required medical documentation.

✅ – Tourists are permitted to enter the country.
⚠️ – Restrictions affecting smooth travel between the two countries. This may require quarantine in one or both directions and may also invalidate travel insurance – check with insurer before travel.
🚫 – It isn’t possible to move freely between the two countries – insurance cover unlikely.

OK?CountryUK statusArrival in countryTourists permitted?Insurance
✅Andorra🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR or TMA: Under 48 hours before travel. Further testing on day 5, 10 and 15.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
🚫Angola🔴Entry: Residents and citzens only
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel
Quarantine: 10 days in government facility.		🚫🚫
✅Anguilla🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 120 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: 7 days self-isolation.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Antigua & Barbuda🟢Entry: Permitted
Testing: PCR: Under 5 days before travel. Random checks on arrival.
Quarantine: Not required if staying in pre-booked accommodation on the government’s approved list. 14 days self-isolation, if not staying in approved accommodation.
Fully-vaccinated: No restrictions on accommodation or quarantine.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Argentina🟢Entry: Residents and citizens only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 7 days self-isolation, then a further PCR test and release on day 7.		✅✅
✅Aruba🟢Entry: Permitted. Arrival authorisation required. Aruba visitor insurance must be purchased from government.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A.
Quarantine: Not required.		✅✅
🚫Australia🟢Entry: Residents only
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel
Quarantine: 14 days in government facility – waived if you’ve been in New Zealand for more than 14 days prior to arrival in Australia.
Transit: Permitted.		🚫🚫
🚫Austria🟢Entry: Prohibited from UK
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel
Quarantine: 10 days self-isolation. Test at day 5 for early release.
Transit: Permitted.		🚫🚫
✅Bahamas🟢Entry: Permitted. Mandatory health insurance must be purchased unless fully-vaccinated.
Testing: Health visa application with negative PCR test must be submitted under 5 days before travel. Rapid antigen test must be taken on day 5 of stay.
Fully-vaccinated: Rapid antigen test before travel (no PCR required). No test on day 5.
Quarantine: Not required.		✅✅
✅Bahrain🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel. Further tests required at day 5 and 10 after arrival.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Bangladesh🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days in government-approved location.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Barbados🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel. Rapid antigen test on arrival.
Quarantine: 5 day quarantine in government-approved accommodation. Release after negative test on day 5. You may be tagged.
Fully-vaccinated: Rapid PCR test and overnight self-isolation in your hotel until results received.		✅✅
✅Belgium🟢Entry: Essential reasons only. You may require an Essential Travel Certificate (ETC).
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 10 day self-isolation on arrival. Mandatory testing on days 1 and 7
Transit: Permitted. 		✅✅
✅Bermuda🟢Entry: Permitted – Tourists must apply for authorisation 3 days before travel.
Testing: PCR: Under 96 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation on arrival. Test and release on day 4.
Fully-vaccinated: Test on arrival, no quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
🚫Bhutan🟢Entry: Not permitted.
Testing: N/A
Quarantine: N/A
Fully-vaccinated: N/A
Transit: Not permitted.		🚫🚫
✅Bolivia🟢Entry: Permitted. Proof of medical insurance required.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 10 day self-isolation on arrival. further test on day 7.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba🟢Entry: Permitted – Tourists must apply for authorisation 72 hours before travel.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
🚫Botswana🔴Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
✅Brazil🟢Entry: Not permitted from UK. Residents only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅British Virgin Islands🟢Entry: Permitted – travel authorisation certificated required ($175)
Testing: PCR: Under 120 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 7 days. Test and release on day 7.
Fully-vaccinated: No test on arrival or quarantine.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
🚫Brunei🟢Entry: Not Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Up to 14 days at quarantine hotel.
Transit: Not Permitted.		🚫⚠️
✅Bulgaria🟢Entry: Not permitted from UK.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel, plus random antigen testing on arrival
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: No testing required.
Transit: Not Permitted.		✅✅
✅Burundi🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 7 days at quarantine hotel.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Cambodia🟢Entry: Permitted – proof of $50k medical cover required. $2000 deposit on arrival for testing and medical facilities.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days in government facility.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Canada🟢Entry: Residents and citizens only
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Cayman Islands🟢Entry: Residents and citizens only – travel authorisation required.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: 10 days self-isolation.
Transit: Not permitted.		✅✅
✅Cape Verde🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Chile🟢Entry: Residents and citizens only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 10 days, followed by PCR test to release.
Transit: Not permitted.		✅✅
✅Colombia🟢Entry: Not permitted directly from UK. Residents and citizens only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Congo🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Costa Rica🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: Not required.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Same day permitted.		✅✅
✅Croatia🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 48 hours before travel, or proof of vaccination.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Cuba🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel and test on arrival.
Quarantine: Hotel self-isolation with test to release on day 5.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Curaçao🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel and test on day 3 after arrival.
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Cyprus🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Czech Republic🟢Entry: Essential reasons only. FFP2 face mask must be worn in public.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel and further test 5 days after arrival.
Quarantine: 5 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A
Transit: Not permitted.		✅✅
✅Denmark🟢Entry: Worthy purpose only.
Testing: PCR: Under 48 hours before travel. Further test on arrival.
Quarantine: 10 days self-isolation. Test to release on day 4.
Fully-vaccinated: Entry permitted for any purpose. No testing or quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Dominica🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel. Further test on arrival.
Quarantine: 5 days in government facility. Test on day 5 and move into 7 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Dominican Republic🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel. Further test on arrival.
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: Exempt from testing.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Ecuador🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Egypt🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel or test on arrival ($30USD) and hotel isolation.
Quarantine: Not required, unless testing on arrival.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Estonia🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: Not required.
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: No self-isolation required when arriving from high-risk countries.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Ethiopia🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 120 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 7 days self-isolation.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Faroe Islands🟢See Denmark✅✅
✅Fiji🟢Entry: Residents and citizens only.
Testing: PCR: under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days in government facility.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A
Transit: Not permitted.		✅✅
✅Finland🟢Entry: Essential reasons only.
Testing: PCR: under 72 hours before travel and free test on arrival.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation. Test to release early.
Fully-vaccinated: No concessions for vaccinated visitors from high-risk countries.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅France🟢Entry: Essential reasons only – unless fully-vaccinated.
Testing: PCR: under 72 hours before travel and possible test on arrival.
Quarantine: 7 days self-isolation, then test to release.
Fully-vaccinated: Entry permitted for any purpose. No testing or quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅French Guiana🟢Entry: Essential reasons only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 7 days self-isolation.
Transit: Permitted.		✅ ✅
✅French Polynesia🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: under 72 hours before travel and on arrival.
Quarantine: 10 days in government facility.
Fully-vaccinated: No quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Germany🟢Entry: Residents and citizens only.
Testing: PCR: under 72 hours before travel or rapid antigen under 24 hours.
Quarantine: 10 days self-isolation. Test of day 5 for early release.
Fully-vaccinated: Entry for any purpose. No quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Gibraltar🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: Lateral flow: Under 48 hours before travel. Rapid test on arrival. Further testing required if you stay longer than a week.
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: No pre-departure. Just rapid test on arrival.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Greece🟢Entry: Residents and citizens only.
Testing: PCR: under 72 hours before travel or rapid antigen under 48 hours.
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: No testing or quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅GreenlandSee DenmarkSee Denmark✅
✅Grenada🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: under 72 hours before travel. Further PCR test on arrival.
Quarantine: 14 days in pre-booked approved accommodation.
Fully-vaccinated: 48 hours quarantine.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Guyana🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Hong Kong🟢Entry: Not permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 21 days hotel quarantine.
Transit: Not permitted – check our transit page.		✅✅
✅Hungary🟢Entry: Residents and citizens only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation. Test twice for release on day 5.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Iceland🟢Entry: Residents and essential reasons only, unless fully-vaccinated.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Required until negative test result on day 6.
Fully-vaccinated: Entry for any purpose. No quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅India🟢Entry: Residents and essential reasons only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
✅Indonesia🟢Entry: Residents and essential reasons only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 8 day hotel quarantine.
Fully-vaccinated: No testing.
Transit: Not permitted.		✅✅
✅Ireland🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation or quarantine hotel if you visited these countries. Optional test & release at day 5.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🟢
🚫Israel🟢Entry: Not permitted from UK.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: Immunity test in Israel to shorten quarantine period.
Transit: Permitted.		🚫🚫
⚠️Italy (including Vatican City)🟢Entry: Residents and essential reasons.
Testing: PCR: Under 48 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 5 days self-isolation and test to release.
Fully-vaccinated: No quarantine.
Transit: Permitted – check our transit page.		⚠️⚠️
⚠️Jamaica🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required for “safe corridor”, otherwise 14 days.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A.
Transit: Permitted.		✅⚠️
🚫Japan🟢Entry: Residents and citizens only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 6 days in a government approved hotel, followed by 8 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A.
Transit: Permitted.		🚫⚠️
🚫Kenya🟢Entry: Residents and essential reasons only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days in government quarantine hotel (reduced to 7 days self-isolation with proof of vaccination)
Transit: Permitted.		🚫🚫
🚫Laos🟢Entry denied to arrivals from the UK. 14 day quarantine at government facility for those granted entry.🚫🚫
✅Latvia🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 10 days self-isolation. Test to release on day 7.
Fully-vaccinated: No self-isolation.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
⚠️LiechtensteinSee SwitzerlandSee Switzerland⚠️
⚠️Lithuania🟢UK arrivals are required to self-isolate for 10 days. This can be reduced following a negative PCR test, taken 48 hours after arrival.⚠️
⚠️Luxembourg🟢No restriction⚠️
🚫Macao🟢Non-residents will be denied entry. Medical certificate required to fly.
🚫Malawi🟢Entry: Residents only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Transit: Not Permitted.		🚫🚫
🚫Malaysia🟢Non-residents will be denied entry. Anyone allowed to enter must quarantine for 14 days at a designated government facility.🚫
🚫Maldives🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 96 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required for tourists.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
✅Malta🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: No quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🟢
⚠️Martinique🟢Travel certificate required⚠️
🚫Mauritius🟢The UK Government advise against all but essential travel. The Mauritian boarder is closed. All arrivals will be placed in government quarantine.🚫
⚠️Mexico🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A.
Transit: Permitted.		✅⚠️
⚠️Monaco🟢The UK Government advise against all but essential travel. No restrictions on arrival.⚠️
🚫Mongolia🟢Entry: Residents and citizens only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 7 days in approved hotel. Test on day 6..
Fully-vaccinated: No quarantine required.
Transit: Not permitted.		🚫🚫
🚫Montserrat🟢Entry: Residents and citizens only.
Testing: PCR: Under 120 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: Isolation reduced to 5 days.
Transit: Not permitted.		🚫⚠️
🚫Mozambique🔴Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫Namibia🔴Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 168 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫Nepal🟢Entry: Permitted. Proof of medical insurance required.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 10 days self-isolation in pre-booked hotel.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
⚠️The Netherlands🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted – check our transit page.		⚠️
🚫New Zealand🟢Entry: Residents only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days quarantine hotel and test to release.
Transit: Permitted.		🚫🚫
⚠️Norway🟢Entry: Residents only.
Testing: PCR: Under 24 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 10 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: Entry for any reason.
Transit: Permitted.		⚠️⚠️
🚫Oman🟢Entry: Residents only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel. Further test on arrival (25 Riyals).
Quarantine: Self-isolation until arrival test result.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫Pacific Islands Micronesia, 
Kiribati, 
Samoa, 
Solomon Islands, Tonga, 
Vanuatu		🟢All borders closed except Samoa where very strict entry restrictions apply. 🚫
🚫Pakistan🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 10 days self-isolation.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫Panama🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 48 hours before travel. Further test on arrival.
Quarantine: 3 days self-isolation, then test to release.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫Paraguay🟢Entry: Permitted. Proof of medical insurance required.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel. Further test on arrival.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫Peru🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫Philippines🟢Entry: Residents only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days in government-approved facility.
Transit: Permitted.		🚫🚫
⚠️Poland🟢Entry: Residents and essential reasons only.
Testing: PCR: Under 48 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 10 days self-isolation.
Transit: Permitted.		🚫⚠️
⚠️Portugal (Mainland)🟢Entry: Permitted
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel or approved antigen test within 48 hours.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: No quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅⚠️
✅Portugal (Madeira & Porto Santo)🟢Entry: Permitted
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: PCR test not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
⚠️Portugal (The Azores)🟢Entry: Permitted
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A.
Transit: Permitted.		✅⚠️
⚠️Qatar🟢Entry: Residents only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel & further test 36 hours after arrival.
Quarantine: 10 days in government-approved facility.
Fully-vaccinated: No quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted – check our transit page.		🚫⚠️
⚠️Reunion🟢Entry: Essential reasons only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 7 days self-isolation followed by further PCR test.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A.
Transit: Not permitted.		🚫⚠️
✅Romania🟢Entry: Permitted
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation followed by further PCR test.
Fully-vaccinated: No quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🟢
🚫Rwanda🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel. PCR test on arrival ($60 USD).
Quarantine: Until arrival test result.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
⚠️San MarinoSee ItalySee Italy⚠️
⚠️Serbia🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 48 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅⚠️
🚫Seychelles🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫Singapore🟢Entry: Residents and citizens only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 21 days at government designated hotel followed by test to release.
Transit: Airside permitted – check our transit page.		🚫🚫
✅Slovakia🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 48 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: No testing or quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🟢
✅Slovenia🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 10 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: No testing or quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🟢
🚫South Africa🔴Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
✅South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands🟢Usual visitor permit required✅✅
⚠️South Korea🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Transit: Permitted.		⚠️
⚠️Spain (Mainland)🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted – check our transit page.		✅⚠️
✅Spain (Balearic Islands)🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 48 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: No testing or quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
⚠️Spain (Canary Islands)🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel or evidence of vaccination.
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: No testing or quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		⚠️⚠️
🚫Sri Lanka🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel and test on arrival.
Quarantine: Mandatory 1 night stay until arrival PCR test result. 13 further nights for unvaccinated travellers.
Fully-vaccinated: No 13-day quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫St Kitts & Nevis🟢St Kitts & Nevis’ borders are closed🚫
🚫St Lucia🟢St Lucia’s borders are closed🚫
⚠️St Pierre & Miquelon🟢Travel certificate required⚠️
🚫St Vincent & The Grenadines🟢St Vincent & The Grenadines’ ports are closed🚫
🚫Sudan🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
⚠️Sweden🟢Entry: Residents & essential reasons only.
Testing: PCR: under 72 hours before travel
Quarantine: 7 days self-isolation.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A.
Transit: Permitted.		🚫⚠️
⚠️Switzerland🟢Entry: Essential reasons only – unless fully-vaccinated.
Testing: PCR: under 72 hours before travel and possible test on arrival.
Quarantine: 10 days self-isolation or test to release on day 7.
Fully-vaccinated: Entry permitted for any purpose. No testing or quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		🚫⚠️
🚫Taiwan🟢Entry: Residents only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel and on arrival.
Quarantine: 14 days at government facility.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A.
Transit: Not permitted.		🚫⚠️
🚫Tanzania🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel. Rapid test on arrival ($25 USD)
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫Thailand🟢Non-residents are not permitted to enter Thailand. All arrivals must quarantine for 14 days at a government facility.⚠️
⚠️Timor-Leste🟢Quarantine for 14 days either in a government facility or in your own accommodation⚠️
🚫Trinidad and Tobago🟢Entry: Residents only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days government supervised quarantine.
Transit: Not permitted.		🚫🚫
🚫Tunisia🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 7 days self-isolation. Test to release.
Fully-vaccinated: No test or quarantine required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫Turkey🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted – check our transit page.		✅🚫
✅Turks & Caicos Islands🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel. Further test on arrival.
Quarantine: Not required.
Fully-vaccinated: N/A.
Transit: Permitted.		✅✅
⚠️UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi)🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel. Further test on arrival.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted – check our transit page.		✅⚠️
🚫Uruguay🟢Entry: Residents only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel. Further test on arrival.
Quarantine: 7 days self-isolation.
Transit: Permitted.		🚫🚫
🚫USA🟢Entry: Not from UK in past 14 days.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 7 days self-isolation.
Transit: Not permitted.		🚫🚫
🚫Venezuela 🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 48 hours before travel. Further test on arrival ($60 USD).
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫Vietnam🟢Entry: Residents only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Not Permitted.		🚫⚠️
⚠️Wallis and Futuna🟢Entry: Essential reasons only.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		🚫⚠️
🚫Zambia🟢Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 72 hours before travel.
Quarantine: Not required.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫
🚫Zimbabwe🔴Entry: Permitted.
Testing: PCR: Under 48 hours before travel.
Quarantine: 14 days self-isolation.
Transit: Permitted.		✅🚫

As you can see, it’s not as straightforward as governments might suggest. We wouldn’t book travel to/from countries marked 🚫 The country’s stance on COVID means travel between it and the UK won’t be OK.

While COVID continues, we would do a lot more research before booking travel from the UK to/from countries marked ⚠️ Most of these perceive the UK as a high-risk area, which will present challenges with travel insurance and potential issues with local stigma. Read our 10 things to consider when booking coronavirus travel and why travel insurance matters, especially now.

When traveling to countries with no restrictions in place, you should still expect to provide advance passenger information relating to COVID. On arrival, you may also be subjected to form-filling, temperature checks and questions from authorities. Always check with your travel insurer to confirm the countries you’re visiting are covered by your policy.

If you’re interested to know what air travel is like at the moment, have a read of our Qatar Airways KL to Doha flight review.

A Note About Our Data

While we’ve made every effort to ensure we’ve presented accurate information, the situation is changing continually. We therefore recommend you check directly your home and destination government websites before travelling. For more detailed information about travel to and from the UK during the COVID pandemic visit: https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

Our sources:

[1] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england 

[2] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-countries-and-territories-exempt-from-advice-against-all-but-essential-international-travel

[3] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors 

[4] https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Do you have some useful information that would help us improve the accuracy of this COVID UK travel page? Please drop us a comment below.

While you’re here, don’t forget to sign-up to our newsletter and stay up-to-date with our posts on BoardingGroup.One

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