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Guide to Travelling to and from the UK COVID 2021 Restrictions

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COVID Restrictions Guide for Travel in 2021

The last 18 months and more have been challenging in a number of ways, but life is slowly getting back to normal. And with that, the travel industry also starts to relax and return to some normality albeit various travel restrictions associated with COVID remain. But with regular rule changes and different travel guidelines for each destination, it can be difficult to keep track of everything. It’s essential to understand where you can and can’t go, and what criteria you need to meet in order to travel.

Travel Restrictions COVID 2021If you’re planning a trip in the near future, then we’ve pulled together a travel guide for some popular destinations. This is generally based on someone travelling with a full British passport.

Of course, these guidelines may change in the near future, but we have made them as accurate as possible at the time of writing.

Spain

Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations for people travelling from the UK, and tourists have been eager to get back there this summer. Spain is currently on the UK’s amber list, which includes the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. So, what does this mean?

Entry requirements

Spain is no longer ‘essential travel only’, however, there are certain requirements you must meet before entering the country. Anyone aged 12 or over must provide either;

  1. proof of a negative COVID test result (e.g. a PCR test) from within 72 hours before arriving into Spain; or
  2. proof of being fully vaccinated by an authorised vaccine programme, with the final dose being received at least 14 days before arriving into Spain.

All travellers must also complete and present a pre-travel declaration form before their flight, and also an online Health Control Form no more than 48 hours before the flight. You can also submit this form in paper before boarding if preferred.

Returning to the UK from Spain

Since Spain is on the amber list, you will not need to quarantine on arrival into the UK if you have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before returning. Under 18s also won’t need to quarantine. Anyone who has not been fully vaccinated will have to quarantine for 10 days in their home or wherever they are staying when arriving into the UK.

Further tests are also required when returning to the UK from Spain. Firstly, one within the 3 days before travelling back to the UK, and then another test 2 days after returning to the UK. If you are not fully vaccinated, you will have to take an extra test on day 8 after returning. Make sure that you organise any required tests in advance where necessary.

Ireland

As our neighbour and part of the UK’s common travel area, Ireland doesn’t fall into any of the traffic light system lists set out by the government.

This means that the rules are a little simpler if you’re travelling between the UK and Ireland.Ireland Travel Restrictions COVID

Entry requirements

If you are fully vaccinated, then you can travel from the UK to Ireland without any tests or imposed quarantines. Just make sure that you have proof of your vaccination status. Children under 12 will also not require testing or quarantine.

Adults who are not fully vaccinated will have to quarantine on arrival into Ireland. You must first be able to show a negative PCR test from within the 72 hours leading up to your departure from the UK. You will then have to quarantine for a minimum of 5 days if you can show another negative PCR test after those 5 days are up. If not, then you will have to quarantine for a full 14 days.

Children between the ages of 12 and 17 are also required to show a negative PCR test before travelling to Ireland from the UK, assuming they have not been vaccinated. They can also provide proof of a recent recovery from COVID-19 in lieu of a test result. If an adult in your party needs to quarantine in Ireland, then any children in the party will be required to quarantine with them.

All travellers will also need to complete a Passenger Locator Form.

Returning to the UK from Ireland

Thanks to the relaxed rules between the UK and Ireland, returning to the UK after your trip to Ireland is nice and simple. You will not need to take any enforced COVID tests, quarantine on arrival, or complete any special forms for your return or to prove your COVID status. You must not have been anywhere outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man within 10 days before your return trip from Ireland to the UK.

Greece

Like Spain, Greece is currently on the amber list for travel to and from the UK. At the time of writing, this also includes all Greek Islands. So, can you go on holiday to Greece this year?

Entry requirements

To enter Greece when travelling from the UK, all passengers over the age of 12 must provide proof of one of the following:

  1. A negative PCR test from within 72 hours before arriving into Greece
  2. A negative rapid antigen test from an authorised laboratory and from within 48 hours before arriving into Greece
  3. A full vaccination status, with the final dose being received at least 14 days before travelling

This applies to all means of travel, including by air, road, rail, or sea. Greek authorities may also accept proof of recovery from COVID within 30-180 days before travelling. Additionally, all passengers over 12 must complete a passenger locator form, submitted by 11.59pm Greece time the day before your arrival into the country.

It’s also possible that you will have to take a rapid antigen test once you arrive into the country to prove your COVID negative status. If this test is positive on arrival, then you and the rest of your party will have to quarantine, usually in special state-provided quarantine hotels. For fully vaccinated people, this quarantine will last 7 days, or 10 days otherwise.

Returning to the UK from Greece

Because Greece is on the amber list, the same guidelines apply when returning to the UK as they do when returning from Spain. This means you must complete a COVID test within 72 hours before leaving the country and book a subsequent test for after you arrive back home. This test must be taken within 2 days after returning to the UK. Those who aren’t fully vaccinated will also have to take a third test on day 8 and isolate for 10 days after arriving back into the UK.

France

France was previously on a separate list, amber plus, due to a high number of beta variant cases. This list imposed stricter quarantine and testing rules and did not exempt fully vaccinated travellers from isolating. But this has now been scrapped and France is on the amber list with many other European countries. France also has a similar traffic light system, and the UK is on their amber list as well. So, what do you need to do to travel from the UK to France now?

Entry requirements

Fully vaccinated travellers will not need to isolate when arriving in France and do not even need to present a negative COVID test. You will only need to provide proof of your vaccination status and a sworn statement to confirm that you do not have any COVID symptoms and have not been in contact with anyone who has tested positive in the last 14 days.

The rules are much stricter for travellers who are not fully vaccinated, however. Firstly, you are only able to travel to France for essential reasons, so holidays are off limits for unvaccinated travellers.

Those travelling to France for essential reasons need to complete an International Travel Certificate explaining why you are travelling, a sworn statement as mentioned above, and a negative COVID test from within 24 hours before your departure (for those age 12 and over). Additionally, you will need to isolate for 7 days upon arrival and then present a negative PCR test in order to end your isolation period.

Returning to the UK from France

The same guidelines apply for returning from France to the UK in terms of essential travel for unvaccinated people. As per the UK’s amber travel rules, passengers must provide a negative COVID test result from within 72 hours prior to leaving France for the UK, regardless of vaccination status.

As of 8th August, the same rules apply to France as they do to Spain and other amber list countries, ensuring that fully vaccinated travellers do not need to quarantine on their return. Another COVID test must then be taken on or before day 2 after returning to the UK.

Unvaccinated travellers who have travelled between the UK and France for essential reasons must isolate for 10 days when they return to the UK, and also submit COVID tests around day 2 and day 8 of their return.

Portugal

There are no restrictions on who can travel from the UK to amber list Portugal, so let’s look at what you need to do to ensure your trip goes smoothly.

Entry requirements

All passengers aged 12 or over must show a negative COVID test before boarding their flight. This must either be a PCR test (or another nucleic acid amplification test) from within 72 hours before travelling, or a rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours before travelling. Alternatively, you can show an EU digital COVID vaccination certificate to prove that you are fully vaccinated or have recently recovered from COVID.

It’s a possibility that you will have yor temperature taken on arrival into Portugal, as well as screenings for other COVID-related symptoms. Passengers with a high temperature or other symptoms will likely have to take a test at the airport to ensure that they are not testing positive. Adults who have not been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before arrival must also quarantine for 14 days at their accommodation in Portugal.

Returning to the UK from Portugal

As a country on the UK’s amber list, the rules for returning to the UK are the same as others discussed here, namely:

  1. No quarantine requirements for under 18s or fully vaccinated adults
  2. 10 days quarantine for adults who have not been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days
  3. COVID tests required 3 days prior to travel and 2 days post-travel, plus an additional test 8 days post-travel for adults not fully vaccinated

Germany

As of 8th August, Germany has been moved to the UK’s green list, giving you a little more freedom and peace of mind when returning to the UK. What does the green list mean and how is the UK categorised by Germany?

Entry requirements

Germany’s rules for entering the country from the UK are based on the UK being a ‘high-incidence area’. This means that anyone who isn’t fully vaccinated can only enter the country if any of the following exemptions apply to them:

  1. They are a German citizen
  2. They are the spouse, partner, or child (under the age of 18) of a German citizen
  3. They have official residency in Germany
  4. They serve an important role in the country
  5. They have an urgent reason for making the trip

If you are able to travel to Germany for one of the above reasons, then you must still isolate for at least 5 days, at which point you can leave isolation if you submit a negative COVID test. Otherwise, you will be required to isolate for at least 10 days, or up to 14 days if you test positive or present an increased risk of infection. You must also present a negative PCR test or antigen test before travelling from the UK to Germany, for anyone aged 12 or over.

Fully vaccinated people can travel to the country from the UK for any reason, though. Travellers must complete a pre-departure digital registration. Children under 12 do not need to be vaccinated but must submit a negative COVID test result before travelling. Fully vaccinated passengers may also be required to submit a negative COVID test before travelling.

Returning to the UK from Germany

The main difference between returning from an amber list country and a green list country is that you do not need to isolate when returning from a green list country like Germany, even if you are not fully vaccinated.

Before travelling, you must still complete a passenger locator form, take a COVID test, and book your following COVID test for when you return to the UK. This second test must be taken on or before day 2 after returning. The initial test applies to anyone aged over 10, while the second one applies to anyone over 4 years old.

Whether you’re fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated, you will only have to quarantine on return if your test comes back positive or if you are notified by test and trace that you must isolate due to contact with a positive case.

Italy

At the end of July, it was announced that Italy was extending its quarantine rules for UK travellers until 30th August. These rules are still in place at the time of writing, so read on to understand the rules that apply to your upcoming trip.

Entry requirements

Anyone travelling from the UK to Italy is required to provide a negative COVID test from within 48 hours before travelling. On arrival, you must isolate for 5 days and then present another negative test in order to be released from isolation. If you’re travelling with a child under 6, they must isolate with you but are not required to submit a test after the 5 days. All travellers must also complete a passenger locator form. These rules apply to all UK travellers regardless of vaccination status.

If you’re travelling after 30th August, make sure you keep up with any changes to Italy’s rules and restrictions. The above rules may be relaxed after this date, particularly for fully vaccinated travellers.

Returning to the UK from Italy

Italy is also currently on the UK’s amber list, meaning the same familiar restrictions apply when returning from the UK:

  1. Passenger locator form required
  2. Negative COVID test from within 3 days before leaving Italy
  3. Negative COVID test from 2 days after arriving back in the UK
  4. Negative COVID test from 8 days after arriving back in the UK for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers
  5. 10-day quarantine for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers

USA

While the United States is on the UK’s amber list, the rules for entering the US from the UK are much stricter. Travel may not currently be possible from the UK to the US, so let’s look at the rules that apply.

Entry requirements

The US has kept restrictions in place since March 2020 that generally prevent people from travelling to the US from the UK, along with many other countries or areas. This applies if you are travelling directly from the UK or if you have been in the UK in the last 14 days before travel.

The only possible exceptions to the US travel ban are US citizens travelling from the UK, as well as children, spouses, and certain other family members of US citizens, and anyone with a visa for work or study in the US. While a UK-US travel corridor has been discussed, it is not currently in place at the time of writing.

If you are able to travel to the US, then you must present a negative COVID test from within 3 days prior to travel, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 within 90 days before travel. You must also take a test within 3-5 days after arrival, and anyone who isn’t fully vaccinated must isolate for at least 7 days. It isn’t certain that the US will accept evidence of full vaccination in the UK, so be prepared to isolate when travelling from the UK.

Returning to the UK from the US

Since the US is on our amber list, US citizens can travel to the UK without having to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated, although officials are still advising against all but essential travel from the US to the UK. Anyone travelling from the US to the UK must still follow the rules for returning from an amber list country.

Dubai

The United Arab Emirates was previously on the UK’s red list, banning all but completely essential travel and requiring a stay in a quarantine hotel when returning to the UK. However, the UAE moved to the amber list as of 8th August, giving UK residents a little more freedom to travel to popular destinations such as Dubai. But what are the UAE’s rules for entering their country from the UK?

Entry requirements

Travel is currently permitted from the UK to Dubai. In order to enter the UAE, you must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of leaving the UK. In this case, PCR tests are the only ones accepted. You may also be required to take a PCR test when you arrive in Dubai. If you present a positive test on arrival, you will have to isolate for at least 10 days.

Before travelling to Dubai, you will also need to submit a Health Declaration Form and a Quarantine Form in paper, and register your details on the COVID-19 DXB App. You should also ensure that you have valid international health insurance before travelling.

When arriving at Dubai International Airport, passengers may also have their temperature taken and other health screenings to identify symptoms of COVID, with a further PCR test required if symptoms are displayed.

Returning to the UK from Dubai

With the UAE moving to the amber list, you will not need to quarantine when returning from Dubai to the UK if you are fully vaccinated. You will need to complete a UK Government Public Health Passenger Locator Form online and present this at the airport in Dubai. You will also need to present a negative PCR test from within 72 hours before your flight. Travellers are exempt from these testing requirements if they are under the age of 12 or have a severe or moderate disability.

As with other amber countries, you must also submit a test on or before day 2 when returning to the UK, and another on day 8 plus a 10-day quarantine if you are not fully vaccinated.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is just a quick flight from the UK, making it a great option if you’re looking to finally get away for a weekend break or longer.

Their government is currently categorising countries of departure in 4 categories: safe, high-risk, very high-risk, or very high-risk with a variant of concern.

From 8th August, the UK is considered under the very high-risk category.Visiting Netherlands during COVID Restrictions

Entry requirements

As a very high-risk country outside of the EU or Shengen area, there is a general entry ban from the UK to the Netherlands. However, there are exemptions to this, one of which being that fully vaccinated travellers can enter the Netherlands from the UK. Other exemptions that apply regardless of vaccination status include:

  1. National status from an EU or Shengen country, as well as select other European countries (not including the UK)
  2. Long-stay visas
  3. Netherlands residence permit
  4. Studying in the Netherlands (proof of enrolment required)
  5. Highly skilled migrant working in the Netherlands (proof of employment required)
  6. Key worker or various other work categories
  7. An urgent reason to visit family in the Netherlands (including visiting a terminally ill relative)

So, UK residents travelling to the Netherlands for leisure or a holiday can do so using their NHS COVID Pass to prove that they are fully vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated, then any children under 18 are permitted to travel with you without being vaccinated.

Anyone aged 12 and over must also provide a negative antigen test from 24 hours before departure, or a negative PCR test from 48 hours before departure. You must also complete a health screening form.

Quarantine is, however, required even if you are fully vaccinated. Anyone aged 12 or over travelling from the UK and other very high-risk countries must isolate for 5 days and then provide a negative test result to end their isolation, or otherwise continue isolating for 10 days.

Returning to the UK from the Netherlands

Returning to the UK from the Netherlands follows the same rules as returning from other amber list countries, with no quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.

  1. Negative COVID test required 3 days prior to travel
  2. 10-day quarantine for adults who have not been fully vaccinated 10 days prior to return
  3. Negative COVID test required 2 days post-travel for all travellers, and 8 days post-travel for adults not fully vaccinated

Poland

Poland is a popular holiday destination among Brits due to its affordability. You can get cheap flights to some really nice cities like Krakow and Warsaw, and things like food and drink are reasonably cheap while you’re out there, too. If you’re planning a trip to Poland in 2021, here are some of the guidelines you need to know.

Entry requirements

If it has been at least 14 days since the final dose of your vaccination when you arrive into Poland, then you are not required to quarantine. Those who have not been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days will need to quarantine for 7-10 days. A negative PCR test or antigen test will allow you to leave quarantine after the initial 7 days. You may also be able to exempt yourself from quarantine if you have tested positive and recovered from COVID in the last 6 months. Children under 12 do not have to isolate if travelling with fully vaccinated adults.

If you do not meet any of Poland’s exemptions, then you must register with the border guards so that your tests and quarantine periods can be tracked. An isolation period will also be required if you show symptoms of coronavirus, tests positive, or if someone you are travelling with tests positive, even if you are fully vaccinated.

Returning to the UK from Poland

When returning from Poland to the UK, ensure that you book your tests in advance for arriving back into the country. You must present a negative test within 3 days before departing from Poland in order to board your flight, and then take your pre-booked test within 2 days of returning.

Fully vaccinated travellers will only need to isolate if they test positive or have contact with someone who tests positive. Those who aren’t fully vaccinated will have to isolate for 10 days and take another test 8 days after returning.

Belgium

Belgium is also categorising the risk level of countries using a traffic light system; red, orange, and green. The UK is currently considered high risk in the red category, indicating that individuals from the UK are at high risk of infection. This places limitations on anyone travelling from the UK who is not a Belgium citizen or resident. However, since it is not considered a ‘very high risk’ area, there is some flexibility.

Entry requirements

In order to be able to travel from the UK to Belgium, you must be able to prove that you are fully vaccinated. However, Belgium is not yet accepting the UK NHS Vaccine Certification as proof of this. While this may change in the future, it means that UK travellers should currently plan their trip based on the rules that apply to unvaccinated travellers.

If you are not fully vaccinated, then you can only travel to Belgium for essential reasons such as key work, study-related travel, compelling reasons for family visits, and a few other exemptions. If you are travelling for an essential reason, then make sure you carry documentation with you to prove this.

Anyone travelling from the UK must complete a passenger locator form before travelling, unless exempt. If you can prove your vaccination status with an EU Digital COVID Certificate or another accepted form, then you will just need to provide a negative COVID test on day 1 or 2 after arriving into the country, and quarantine until the results of this test have come through.

If you are not able to prove your vaccination status, then you have to submit either a negative PCR test or proof of recent recovery within 72 hours prior to arriving in Belgium. You will also need to quarantine for 10 days once arriving into Belgium and take further tests on days 1 and 7 of your isolation.

Returning to the UK from Belgium

Belgium is currently on the UK’s amber travel list, imposing the following rules on UK residents returning from Belgium:

  1. Provide a negative COVID test within 3 days before departing from Belgium
  2. Provide a negative COVID test within 2 days after returning to the UK
  3. If not fully vaccinated, provide a negative COVID test within 8 days after returning to the UK
  4. If not fully vaccinated, quarantine for 10 days in the UK after returning

Safe and reliable airport transfers during COVID

We hope that this guide on COVID restrictions can help you get safely back on the road and in the air in 2021 and beyond. Make sure that you follow the rules or recommendations of the country you’re visiting when it comes to things like social distancing and mask use. For more guidance on travelling to and from the UK under COVID restrictions, check out the gov.uk website.

Being prepared and understanding the guidelines will help your journey go as smoothly as possible. And Airport Transfers UK can also make your journey to the airport a smooth one with a reliable and convenient airport taxi service, providing affordable trips available across the UK and for all major airports including London Heathrow Airport.