Travel Aware – staying safe and healthy abroad

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information check www.gov.uk/travelaware and follow @FCDOtravelGovUK and Facebook.com/FCDOtravel.

Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting www.travelhealthpro.org.uk. The advice can change so check regularly for updates. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office also provides the following advice:

• Take out appropriate travel insurance before travelling and make sure it covers you for all the activities you want to do.

• If you are travelling to the EU, and you apply for a card now, you'll get a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead of an EHIC, visit www.nhs.uk/ehic to understand what it covers - you still need full travel insurance though! You do not need to apply for a GHIC if you already have an EHIC. Your EHIC remains valid in the EU until it expires. An EHIC or GHIC is free of charge.

• ​​​​​From 1 January 2021, GHICs and most UK EHICs will not cover you in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. You can read about destinations at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

• Learn about the laws, customs and entry requirements of the country you’re visiting and understand how they differ from home, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

• Check your passport is valid, check www.gov.uk/renew-adult-passport/renew, fill out the emergency details, look after it while travelling and keep it in a safe place. Make sure you have all necessary visas.

• Make copies of important travel documents, take a picture or make copies and store them securely using a secure data storage site.

• Research vaccinations or any other medical requirements for your destination, and if necessary visit a travel health clinic before you travel. For medical advice visit travelhealthpro.org.uk.

• Tell your friends or family about your travel plans and where you’re going and leave emergency contact details.

• Take enough money with you and have access to emergency funds.

• Ensure you take the contact details of the local British Consulate in case of emergencies - www.gov.uk/government/world/embassies.

• Understand what consular staff can and can’t do to help British nationals travelling overseas, check www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-british-nationals-abroad-a-guide.

• Act responsibly, and be responsible for yourself when abroad. If you have further questions, see the “Travel & Health requirements” information in the Before You Go section of our Frequently Asked Questions page. ABTA has provided useful information on how to stay safe while swimming on holiday, see ABTA's website. For further information on quad bike safety, please refer to ABTA’s advice.

Some images shown throughout this website do not represent current operational guidelines or health and safety measures such as face masks and physical distancing requirements.