Passport, Visa & Health Requirements

Most European destinations we operate in are part of the Schengen Area, which shares one set of passport and length-of-stay rules. Where a country below says “standard Schengen rules apply”, this is what that means.

Destinations where these standard rules apply

European destinations with their own rules

Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Montenegro, Romania and Türkiye are not covered by the Schengen rules above — check their individual entries. The Republic of Ireland in particular operates entirely separate entry arrangements.

A growing number of countries require an authorisation obtained online before you fly, even where no traditional visa is needed. It is not a visa, and it is usually quick and inexpensive — but without it you can be refused boarding.

• ESTA — United States, under the Visa Waiver Program. Apply well in advance.
• eTA — Canada, required if you arrive by air unless exempt.
• ETA / eVisitor — Australia, via official Australian Government channels.
• NZeTA — New Zealand, required before departure.
• eTA — Kenya, applied for online in advance of travel.
• ETA — Sri Lanka, required by most British travellers.
• Electronic visa — Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, India and others operate online visa systems.
• ETIAS — the European scheme, when it is introduced.

Where one is needed for your holiday we’ll tell you, but obtaining it remains the traveller’s responsibility. Always apply through the official government website — never a third-party reseller.

Health regulations differ from country to country and may include recommended or compulsory vaccinations, prescribed medication or health declarations.

Book an appointment with your GP, practice nurse or a travel health clinic 6–8 weeks before departure to discuss what is appropriate for your itinerary.

Yellow Fever, and what “may be required” means

Some countries require an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), most commonly for Yellow Fever. This can apply even if you are only transiting through a country where Yellow Fever is present — which is why so many entries say “depending on your travel history”. If you are flying direct from the UK it usually does not apply; if you are routing via Africa or South America, it often does. Entry requirements are set solely by the immigration authorities of the destination country and can change without notice.

Official sources we recommend

• TravelHealthPro — country-by-country advice from the UK’s National Travel Health Network
• NHS Inform — travel health and vaccinations
• MASTA Travel Health — travel clinics and vaccination services

Two separate things are being asked of your passport, and they trip people up in different ways:

The safe rule: comfortably exceed the minimum rather than meeting it exactly. If your passport has less than six months left when you book, renew it now — processing times fluctuate, and renewal is far cheaper than a missed departure.

Also check that the name on your passport matches the name on your flight booking exactly.

• Checked your passport validity and blank pages.
• Confirmed whether a visa, ETA, ESTA or eTA is required — and applied for it.
• Reviewed the latest government travel advice for your destination.
• Obtained any recommended or mandatory vaccinations.
• Arranged comprehensive travel insurance.
• Checked airline baggage allowances, and that passport names match your booking.
• Made copies of your passport, insurance and important travel documents.
• Declared any prescription medication where required.
• Informed your bank that you are travelling overseas.