Traveling To England: What Are The Current Restrictions?

As of December 2020, the UK has a tiered system in place for travel within the country. People in Tier 1 and 2 areas are allowed to travel within England and overseas. Residents of Tier 3 areas are advised not to travel outside their area but are not prohibited from doing so. International travel is also not illegal for Tier 3 residents, but the government advises against non-essential trips. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own restrictions in place, with specific advice on travel.

Travel to England from the US

As of May 2021, the UK has replaced the ban on international travel with a traffic light system. This system categorises countries as red, amber, or green. The US is currently on the amber list. It is no longer illegal to travel to amber-list countries, but the official government advice is that people should not travel to these countries for non-essential reasons. This includes holidays.

People returning to the UK from amber-list countries must take two post-arrival tests and self-isolate at home for 10 days. They can reduce the self-isolation time by taking an additional negative test on day five.

The UK government reviews the lists every three weeks, but the Prime Minister has said he does not expect new countries to be added to the green list "very rapidly".

The Common Travel Area (CTA) includes England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man. Travel within the CTA is usually permitted, but the pandemic has disrupted travel in recent months. While England currently allows travel to and from Scotland, the Scottish government has imposed some restrictions on travel between the two nations. Travel to and from Bedford, Blackburn with Darwen, and Bolton is only allowed for "permitted reasons" due to the prevalence of the Delta variant in these areas.

Travel to England from Scotland

As of April 26, 2021, travel between England and Scotland is permitted. This means people can travel across Scotland, England, and Wales without needing an essential reason to do so. However, it is important to note that travel restrictions can change at any time due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is always advisable to check for the latest updates before planning any travel between England and Scotland.

When traveling from Scotland to England, individuals are not required to take a COVID-19 test or quarantine if they have not been outside of the Common Travel Area (which includes England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man) in the previous 10 days. However, it is recommended to check the latest guidelines from both the UK and Scottish governments, as there may be specific restrictions or requirements in place.

In terms of accommodation, individuals can stay overnight in hotels, self-catered accommodations, or with members of their own household or extended household. Staying overnight with friends or family who are not part of the extended household is not permitted. It is important to adhere to social distancing guidelines and other COVID-19 safety measures, such as wearing face coverings in public spaces and maintaining good hand hygiene.

When traveling to Scotland, individuals should be aware of the local restrictions in place. Scotland has a five-tier system, with different rules and restrictions for each level. It is important to check the local restrictions for the specific area in Scotland that you are traveling to. Additionally, individuals may be required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result upon entry to certain venues or events.

For international travelers visiting Scotland, a valid passport is required for entry into the UK. EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals (except Irish citizens) need a valid passport, while Irish citizens can use their national ID card. Visa requirements vary depending on the country of origin, with some citizens requiring a Standard Visitor visa. It is recommended to check the UK government website for the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and travel restrictions.

Travel to England from Wales

As of July 2024, there are different rules depending on the nation and area in which you live. Wales has its own set of restrictions, with specific advice on travel.

Travel within the UK

Previously, in December 2020, England's national lockdown, which included a ban on overnight stays and non-essential travel, ended. This meant holidays in the UK were back on the agenda for some. However, tighter restrictions were imposed on December 20, with the government asking 'everyone, in all tiers, to stay local.'

Wales announced a new national lockdown on December 19, 2020, which included guidance to stay at home and only travel for essential reasons.

Travel between Wales and England

In December 2020, travel between Wales and parts of England in tier one or two was allowed. Travel to tier three areas was prohibited, as was travel to level three and four areas in Scotland and all of Northern Ireland.

As of July 2024, there are no travel restrictions within Wales. People travelling to Wales from the UK or abroad must have a reasonable excuse to enter and remain, and holidays do not count as a valid excuse. Only people who live in Wales can stay overnight.

Exemptions for travel abroad from Wales

There are a small number of exemptions that allow people in Wales to travel abroad. These include:

• Essential travel for business or official work purposes where it is not reasonably possible to complete that work from home.
• Academic studies or professional qualifications where a physical presence is required.
• Medical or compassionate grounds.
• Weddings, civil partnerships, funerals and related events.
• Legal obligations.
• Buying, selling, letting, or renting a residential property.
• To exercise custody rights recognised by a court decision.
• Non-UK residents who have been in the UK temporarily.

Travel to England from Northern Ireland

Travel rules between Northern Ireland and England have been subject to frequent changes due to the evolving COVID-19 situation and the spread of the Omicron variant. As of January 2024, there are no COVID-19 restrictions in place across Northern Ireland. However, it is always advisable to check the NI Direct website for the latest updates before planning your trip.

When travelling from Northern Ireland to England, Scotland, or Wales, Stormont advises taking a rapid lateral flow test before your journey and on days two and eight of your stay, only travelling if the results are negative. This is guidance and not a legal requirement. Additionally, if you have not been outside the Common Travel Area (CTA) in the last 10 days, you are exempt from filling in a Passenger Locator Form. The CTA includes the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.

It is important to note that there are no routine passport controls for Irish and UK citizens travelling between the two countries. However, identification is required to board a ferry or airplane, and some carriers only accept passports as valid identification. Therefore, it is recommended to carry your passport with you. Alternatively, other forms of identification, such as an Irish passport card or other proof of Irish citizenship, may be accepted.

Regarding goods, when travelling from Northern Ireland to England, you do not need to declare any goods. However, you will need to pay Import VAT on any goods purchased in Northern Ireland from shops offering tax-free shopping under the VAT Retail Export Scheme.

Travel to England from the Republic of Ireland

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is a long-standing arrangement between the UK, the Crown Dependencies (Bailiwick of Jersey, Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Isle of Man) and Ireland that predates both British and Irish membership of the EU and is not dependent on it. Under the CTA, British and Irish citizens can move and reside freely in either jurisdiction and enjoy associated rights and privileges, including the right to work, study and vote in certain elections, as well as access to social welfare benefits and health services.

The UK and Irish governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in May 2019, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining the CTA and the associated rights and privileges in all circumstances. This means that there are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Ireland from the UK. However, ferries and airlines may ask for ID, so it is recommended to check your carrier's conditions of travel.

For UK residents travelling to Ireland, there are no entry requirements related to coronavirus at the time of writing (Monday 14 March 2022). Any UK travellers may enter Ireland without proving their vaccination status or presenting a negative test. Since Monday 19 July 2022, international travel has been permitted for Irish citizens and residents, and theatres, cinemas, galleries, museums, bars, cafés, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs and self-catered rentals are all open.

There are no restrictions on travel to or from Northern Ireland into Ireland. However, it is always a good idea to check official government entry guidelines before booking or travelling anywhere, as well as to purchase travel insurance with Covid cover that is appropriate for your destination.

Frequently asked questions