UK immigration update: December 2021
Travel to the UK
The six African countries on the Red list were removed as of 4am on Wednesday 15th December. Currently there no counties on this list.
This means there is no requirement for hotel managed quarantine on arrival to the UK from any country. However, no matter where you are travelling from all travellers to the UK aged 12 and over, now must show proof of a negative test. This too applies if you are fully vaccinated.
The type of test taken can be a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) or a lateral flow test (from a private provider as NHS lateral flow kits are not accepted for this purpose) and, must be taken in the two days before departure for the UK. The test can be taken either in the country where you start your journey, or in another country en route to the UK. If you test positive, you should follow local rules in place in the country you're in, and do not travel to the UK. After arriving in the UK, you have two days to take another test - which must be a PCR.
Travel from the UK
The Omicron surge is likely to lead to many last-minute travel restrictions and its important to keep this in mind when planning travel out of the UK. It has also been announced that France is placing tight restrictions on people visiting from the UK. Only those with a compelling reason for travel to France, such as visiting family will be permitted. Holidays and non-urgent work will not be allowed. A negative test will be required within 24 hours of arrival in France and you will need to isolate for a week when you get there OR for 48 hours if you test negative once you’re there.
Germany have now also placed restrictions on travellers from the UK and as of 11 pm Sunday 19th December airlines are banned from transporting British tourists to Germany. Only German citizens and residents, their partners and children, and transit passengers will be allowed to travel to the country from the UK. Anyone entering Germany from the UK will need a negative PCR test and is required to quarantine for 14 days, regardless of vaccination status
This is an ever-developing situation so please do carefully check the current restrictions on any country you are due to travel to and be mindful that these are subject to last-minute changes.
Please get in touch with one of the team noted below to keep abreast of this evolving situation. If you have any queries or require further information, please contact the Immigration team.
National contacts