The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for several European destinations.
New guidance advises that travellers intending to use a printed PDF version of their NHS Covid pass will need to make sure their paper copy is dated from November 1, 2021, to ensure it can be ‘scanned successfully’ during their travels.
Brits should print out an updated copy of their paper NHS pass if it includes an earlier date.
The advice only applies to the PDF printouts of the NHS Covid Pass – it does not affect the digital version or the NHS Covid Pass letter sent via the post.
So far, the travel advice has been issued for Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Malta, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and the Netherlands. There’s also new guidance for Switzerland and Turkey.
That being said, there is a possibility that this advice could be extended internationally, so it is something worth keeping an eye out for if you are planning a winter getaway.
Those with an upcoming holiday must check the dates detailed on their Covid passes and prepare well ahead of their trip, as the majority of travel insurers do not offer cover for denied entry as a result of not providing the correct documentation. This means that should you be refused boarding due to not having suitable documents, you will not be covered to claim for the cost of your unused holiday.
Travellers should continue to monitor the FCDO’s website for the destination they intend to travel to, to make sure they are not caught out by any new travel updates.
