COVID-19 travel guidance The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) currently advises British nationals against all but essential international travel. Travel to some countries and territories is currently exempted. This advice is being kept under constant review. Travel disruption is still possible and national control measures may be brought in with little notice.

Plan for your travel: checklist

Developments in the coronavirus pandemic remain uncertain around the world. No travel is risk-free. If you are planning travel abroad in the weeks and months ahead, even if you are returning to a place you’ve visited before, follow this checklist:

Before you travel

When you’re abroad

be prepared to comply with measures at your destination to manage a localised outbreak. If you test positive for coronavirus you are likely to need to get treatment locally and stay there until you have recovered. If you are required to quarantine or self-isolate by local authorities, you should expect to do so in the country. You may need to stay longer than you intended. Plan ahead for any delays to your return home and the financial implications or practical arrangements you may need to make

continue to follow any updates to our travel advice for your destination

if you will be returning to the UK, prepare for your return journey by completing the passenger locator form

When you return

Exemptions to the global advice against non-essential travel

View the list of exempted countries and territories that no longer pose a high risk for British travellers. The list is under constant review and updated when necessary.

We continue to advise against all non-essential international travel, except to countries and territories listed. We also currently advise against cruise ship travel.

We are monitoring the international situation very closely and keeping this advice under constant review so that it reflects our latest assessment of risks to British people. We take a range of factors into account. For coronavirus, this includes the incidence rate and the resilience of healthcare provision in each country. Find out more about how our travel advice works.

Consular help

We publish all our travel advice on GOV.UK. Our consular officers cannot provide any additional information by phone. Read more about the consular support we provide.

Returning to the UK because of a change in travel advice

Travel advice is under constant review and may change at short notice, if risks in a country change.

If you are travelling in a country that is removed from the travel advice exemptions list, we are not advising British travellers to return immediately to the UK. Instead you should follow the local advice on any measures the local authorities are taking to control the virus before your return to the UK.

If you decide you wish to shorten your stay abroad because of a change in travel advice you should:

contact your airline and travel company to discuss your options check if you need to self-isolate on your return provide your journey and contact details before you travel using the passenger locator form

Quarantine while you are abroad

If the local authority where you are proposes to quarantine you for your own protection, you should follow their advice.

If there are suspected cases of coronavirus where you are, you may need to remain in your hotel room or accommodation for 14 days, move to quarantine facilities and take tests for coronavirus. If you test positive, in some cases, you may need to be hospitalised abroad.

You should also contact your airline or travel company, and your insurance provider as soon as you can. We only organise assisted departure in exceptional circumstances.

Looking after your mental wellbeing

Your emotional and mental wellbeing is important. Keep in regular contact with the people who usually support you: family, friends and colleagues, especially if you are self-isolating abroad.

Read guidance on how to look after your wellbeing and mental health if you’re abroad during the current coronavirus pandemic.

If you live abroad permanently

As a permanent resident overseas, you should follow the advice of the local authorities where you are. Further information on measures that countries have taken is available in our travel advice pages.

Latest health advice

See the latest NHS guidance on coronavirus for the current situation in the UK and abroad, and the latest government guidance on coronavirus.