Travel from abroad to England will be simplified for covid from Friday 11 February 2022, but you should also be aware that brexit, the UK's exit from the EU, has brought many changes to watch out for.
The most important things to know are:
- from 11 February, vaccinated people (those with both doses) will be able to enter England without restriction
- from 11 February, unvaccinated people can arrive with double testing, with quarantine only required if they test positive on the 2nd day after arrival
- those under 18 can enter under the rules for vaccinated persons
- persons with natural immunity who have had the disease may enter under the rules for unvaccinated persons
- completion of the passenger locator form is compulsory for all, available here: https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before...
- the entry rules are available here: https://www.gov.uk/.../travel-to-england-from-another...
- EU citizens may stay in the country for a maximum of 6 months without a visa for tourism or to visit relatives or friends. If you are coming from outside the EU, you can check if you need a visa here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
- entry is only possible with a valid passport, no ID card accepted
- on entry you may be asked to prove that you are a tourist, have sufficient funds for your stay and return home, have confirmed accommodation and will leave the country at the end of your visit
- if there is even the slightest suspicion that the traveller is not a tourist or cannot prove the above, they will be expelled. To avoid any inconvenience, EU citizens who do not require a visa should also apply for a Standard Visitor visa, which costs 95 GBP. https://www.gov.uk/standard.../apply-standard-visitor-visa
- the above rules apply to England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have slightly different rules
- if you are unvaccinated and you are not arriving by direct flight but by car via France or via a French airport transfer, it is important to know that currently the French authorities will only allow unvaccinated passengers to continue their journey to England if there is a compelling reason for the journey e.g. returning to an address in England or visiting a dying relative, travelling to a funeral, etc.
- for information on the value limits for duty and tax free personal imports: https://www.gov.uk/bringing.../arriving-in-Great-Britain
