If you are travelling abroad, keep up-to-date with the latest advice for the country you plan travelling to and the requirements for your return. You may have to either go into managed isolation [hotel quarantine] or self-isolate on your return.
Due to the current crisis in Ukraine, the rules for international travel have been amended.
If your journey began in Ukraine or Russia you do not need to:
- complete a passenger locator form
- take a COVID-19 test before travel to Northern Ireland or to book a test to take on arrival
Regulations governing international travel to Northern Ireland
The rules for travelling to Northern Ireland depend on your vaccination status and the countries you're travelling from or passing through.
They are regularly reviewed to limit travel restrictions to an absolute minimum and are only maintained for the protection of public health in the response to Coronavirus.
They provide for a system of ‘red list countries' and ‘non-red list countries’ to which different restrictions can be applied, minimising the spread of the disease and the disruption to the traveller.
There are no red list countries.
If cases rise suddenly in a particular country, it may be necessary to re-introduce it as a red-list country. At that time, the travel restrictions for this country will be reviewed and may be updated.
The latest rules for travelling to Northern Ireland from a red-list country is available at:
- Coronavirus [COVID-19]: travelling from a red list country
Non-red list travelling to or from Northern Ireland if fully vaccinated
The rules for travelling to Northern Ireland from:
- abroad
- abroad via Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland
- within the Common Travel Area [CTA]
or
if you are travelling through Northern Ireland to:
- the Republic of Ireland
- Great Britain, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
are available at:
Non-red list travelling to or from Northern Ireland if not fully vaccinated
The rules for travelling to Northern Ireland from:
- abroad
- abroad via Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland
- within the Common Travel Area [CTA]
or
if you are travelling via Northern Ireland to:
- the Republic of Ireland
- Great Britain, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man
are available at:
Travelling to another country
For international departures from Northern Ireland, you should check the latest COVID-19 travel rules for any country you plan to travel to.
Further information is available at:
If you are abroad
You must follow the advice of local authorities while abroad. Your safety and security is the responsibility of the local authority where you are.
If you need urgent consular assistance, phone:
If you're travelling to a port in Northern Ireland on a cruise ship [including crew members] but do not disembark from the cruise ship at any point while it is moored in Northern Ireland or in the territorial waters adjacent to Northern Ireland, you:
- do not need to complete the passenger locator form
- do not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to the UK
- are not subject to any post arrival testing that may be in place
- do not need to self-isolate or enter managed hotel isolation as you will not be leaving the cruise ship
A short stay cruise passenger
If you arrive in Northern Ireland on a cruise ship and are due to depart from Northern Ireland on the same cruise ship within 48 [increasing to three days from 28 February] of their arrival, you must follow the rules for either being fully vaccinated or not-fully vaccinated:
Sector-specific exemptions
A limited number of sector specific exemptions may apply when travelling to Northern Ireland.
If you think you meet the criteria for exemption it's important that you check the list of sector specific exemptions before you travel.
-
Coronavirus [COVID-19]: international travel - sector exemptions
Proof of vaccination
To find out if you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel purposes, visit:
- Coronavirus [COVID-19]: vaccination status for travel
If you have received a full course of COVID-19 vaccinations in Northern Ireland, you can apply for a proof of vaccination certificate for international travel.
Information on how to apply for proof of vaccination is available at:
- Apply for a travel COVID vaccination certificate
What Covid tests do I still need to travel abroad?
Image source, Getty Images
Fully vaccinated people travelling to the UK no longer have to take any Covid tests - either before departure or on arrival.
The prime minister has announced that he intends to remove England's remaining Covid restrictions at the end of the month.
What changes have come into force for vaccinated travellers?
Fully vaccinated travellers [two doses] and under-18s no longer need to take a test either before or after they arrive in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
To qualify as vaccinated, non-UK travellers must have received their jabs in a country or territory with "approved proof of vaccination". This now covers most countries in the world, with more - including China - due to join on 11 February.
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- Will travel return to normal this summer?
- What Covid rules remain across the UK?
What if I'm unvaccinated?
Unvaccinated travellers still have to show proof of a negative Covid test taken two days before departure.
They must also take a post-arrival PCR test two days after arrival. This must be booked before travelling to the UK and bought privately from a government-approved list of providers.
If this is positive, they need to self-isolate.
However, unvaccinated travellers no longer have to self-isolate on arrival, or take a test on day eight.
What other rules are still in force?
All unvaccinated travellers to the UK must complete a passenger locator form before departure.
How do I prove vaccinations and test results at the UK border?
Digital Covid passes showing your vaccination status can be downloaded to your phone, whether you're in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Test results can be in the form of a printed document, or an email or text on your phone. They must be in English, French or Spanish.
European Union residents can use the EU Digital Covid Certificate to show their vaccination status or test results.
Since 3 February, 12 to 15-year-olds in England have also been able to prove their vaccination status via the digital NHS pass.
- Where do I need to use a Covid passport?
What about other countries' rules?
You are responsible for checking the entry requirements for any other countries you wish to visit, as well as the local Covid restrictions which are in force. These can change quickly.
Many UK families have cancelled half-term trips to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands because children over 12 must be double vaccinated to enter.
Very few countries allow unrestricted access to those who have not been vaccinated.
It is thought more than 80 holiday destinations around the world still require all UK travellers to take a pre-departure PCR test before arrival.
UK-issued Covid passes can be used throughout the EU to show proof of vaccination - either digitally, or as a printed download [as long as it is dated after than 1 November 2021].