Test to leave the UK
Before you travel from England to your destination, check the UK Government website to find out if you need a COVID-19 test or proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival. See rules for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you need a negative COVID-19 test to enter your destination, you must use a private test provider in the UK. NHS tests cannot be used for the purpose of pre-departure testing.
Demonstrating your UK vaccination status
If you need to show proof of your vaccination status, you can demonstrate it if you:
- have had a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine (a full course is currently 2 doses of any approved vaccine)
- were vaccinated in England
- are aged 16 or over
You must have received your second vaccine at least 14 days before travel. Your vaccination status is available using the NHS app, via the NHS website or by requesting a letter in paper format (if using the NHS app, please download the pdf to use as proof of your vaccination status). Even if you have been vaccinated, you may still have to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test and isolate on arrival – please check the entry requirements for your destination.
Test to leave the UK
Before you travel from England to your destination, check the UK Government website to find out if you need a COVID-19 test or proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival. See rules for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you need a negative COVID-19 test to enter your destination, you must use a private test provider in the UK. NHS tests cannot be used for the purpose of pre-departure testing.
Test to enter the UK
Wherever you’re flying from, you must show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test at your departure airport, taken within 3 days of your flight to England. The test must meet the rules and standards outlined by the UK Government. See rules for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. On arrival in England, you must then follow the arrivals testing rules.
UK arrivals: day 2 and day 8 tests
You must show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test to enter England.
The UK Government has introduced a traffic light system with countries on green, amber or red lists. You must follow the rules for the highest risk country or territory you have been in, or passed through, in the previous 10 days which may include transit stops. Find out more about the green list, amber list and red list rules. You must follow these rules even if you have been vaccinated.
See rules for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.