Passports, visas & health requirements

British citizens must have a full British passport to visit the countries featured on our website, but no visas are currently required for any country to which Inntravel operates holidays.

Please note, however, that changes are planned for travel to countries within the Schengen area. In future British citizens will need to register with ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), which is expected to become fully operational in 2024. Applications will cost 7 about euros each and will be valid for up to three years. We will update this page with more details once timelines are finalised.

For entry to the EU / Schengen area, UK passport holders should ensure that their passport was issued less than 10 years before the date they enter the country (check the issue date) and also it must have 3 months’ validity beyond the date of their return to the UK (check the expiry date). You should also check with your airline or cross-Channel operator to ensure that your passport meets their criteria, as they may require additional validity. Entry requirements do change and you must check the up-to-date position in good time before departure.

Additionally, UK citizens should check that their passports are stamped each time they enter or exit the Schengen area as a visitor.

You should ensure your passport has two blank facing pages.

If you need to renew your British passport please allow plenty of time to do so - for the latest information see  www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports

If any member of your party is not a British citizen or holds a non-British passport, you must check passport and visa requirements with the embassy or consulate of the country(ies) to or through which you are intending to travel. Note that many European countries now require that passports issued by non-EEA (European Economic Area) countries must be valid for 3 months beyond the period of intended stay.

Information on health is given on the Travel Health Pro website (https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/).

UK residents should obtain a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC – a replacement for the European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC) if you are travelling to a European country other than Norway and do not have an EHIC. If you already have an EHIC, you can continue to use this until it expires (except in Norway). Your EHIC/GHIC may entitle you free or reduced-cost state-provided medical treatment while abroad. You can apply at www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/. If you are holidaying in Norway and require medical care, you can present your UK passport at the medical facility and treatment will be provided on the same terms as for Norwegian nationals.

The EHIC/GHIC does not cover all health-related costs and should not be relied upon as a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance, so it is essential that you take out an adequate policy. Our insurance page gives details of a policy that you may like to consider. You should ensure that your chosen policy covers any existing medical conditions. Since the GHIC and still-current EHICs are not valid in Norway, it is important that, if you already have travel insurance, you check that the terms do not exclude medical cover – especially for existing conditions – in the absence of an EHIC.

Another consideration at the present time is Covid tests. Our Covid-related entry requirements page provides more information about each destination's testing regime, if applicable.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office produces up-to-date travel information to help British travellers make informed decisions about travelling abroad. Information on passport, visa, health and entry requirements can be viewed at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and www.gov.uk/travelaware (you can also download a copy of the FCDO’s Plan.Pack.Explore leaflet which gives general advice on how to ensure you have a trouble-free holiday).

You must check entry and other official requirements for all countries to or through which you are travelling, as well as any requirements applicable on your return to your home / departure country, at the time of booking and in good time before and close to departure. Requirements are likely to change and travel restrictions may be imposed (which could be at no or very short notice prior to departure) as a result of the Covid-19 situation. You must also keep up to date with this information while you are away.

Most other governments provide similar information relevant to their own citizens. See our essential travel information page for useful links.

Having adequate travel insurance is absolutely essential.

Please see our travel insurance page for more information and for details of one travel insurance provider that you may wish to consider.