COVID-19 Mandatory declaration form for international travel

Please note: this article was published on 5th March 2021, and from 17th May 2021 this form is no longer required. For the latest information on documents required when traveling, visit the government’s website here.

From 8 March 2021, you must complete a declaration for international travel form to declare the reason that you need to travel abroad.

You must complete this form if you are travelling outside the UK from England.  You don’t need to complete the form for travel within the UK, to Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

You should print a copy of the completed form or save it to a mobile phone or other device. You may be asked to show this declaration form at the port of departure. You may carry evidence to support your reason for travel.

Entering a port of departure to travel internationally without a completed form is a criminal offence, for which you could be fined.

Anyone identified by police as attempting to travel internationally for reasons that are not currently permitted will be asked to return home and risk receiving a fixed penalty notice for breaking stay at home rules. These fines start at £200 and ladder up to a maximum of £6,400.

You do not need to complete the form yourself if you are under the age of 18 or if you lack capacity to complete the form. If a responsible adult is travelling with you, they should complete a separate copy of the form on your behalf.

Some people are exempt from completing the declaration form because of the job they do.

Find out about which jobs are exempt and the conditions that apply.

Please note travelling abroad for leisure during stay at home restrictions is illegal – the government’s recently announced roadmap expects international travel to be available from 17th May 2021.

Whilst the stay at home restrictions are in place, you are only allowed to travel abroad if you have a legally permitted reason. It is illegal to leave home without a reasonable excuse. This means that, whilst stay at home restrictions apply, it is illegal to travel abroad for holidays.

Please note: this article was published on 5th March 2021, and from 17th May 2021 this form is no longer required. For the latest information on documents required when traveling, visit the government’s website here.