MSE News
Coronavirus Travel Rights
Latest on UK and overseas travel restrictions, plus refunds and insurance help
We've full refund and insurance rights for overseas and UK travel, plus the latest on the easing of restrictions for vaccinated Brits travelling to France and Switzerland. We've also full details on testing and self-isolation rules for vaccinated travellers arriving to the UK.
Important: This is a fast-changing situation. The info below is the best we have currently, but we'll be updating this guide. If you've a question that isn't covered below, please let us know at news@moneysavingexpert.com (though unfortunately we can't respond to every email).
Looking for other help? This guide focuses on travel, but also see:
- Coronavirus employees' help for the latest on the furlough scheme.
- Coronavirus self-employed help for the latest on support schemes.
- Coronavirus universal credit & benefits for info on help available.
- Coronavirus finance & bills for help with mortgages, rent, debts and bills.
- Coronavirus life in lockdown for help with shopping, weddings, MOTs etc.
Plus we've specific info on: Wedding cancellation rights & WFH tax reclaiming
Even if the UK Government says it's OK to travel, there's no guarantee your destination will let you in (and many won't). For example, there are no warnings against travel to Australia but it has placed severe restrictions on travel from the UK.
Plus, even where there's no outright ban, there may be other restrictions in place, eg, you may have to provide a negative coronavirus test and quarantine on arrival. Rules can also change unexpectedly. So before booking anything it's crucial to make sure you fully understand the financial risk, and book flexibly wherever possible.
Check the Foreign Office website, as well as directly with the country itself (or its UK embassy website), for the latest. The Foreign Office's advice is also key for travel insurance cover and your rights to a refund. If it advises against "all but essential travel" or "all travel", you aren't supposed to go, and this may trigger a refund – see more on refund rights if the Foreign Office warns against travel below. Travelling in defiance of the advice may also invalidate your insurance.
Top holiday destinations – what are their rules?
The table below, which we're updating regularly, shows the latest situation for 20 of the top travel destinations for Brits. It details where tests are needed pre-departure, though you may also need to take a test at the airport and quarantine if it comes back positive.
WARNING: Some destinations' entry requirements now take into account the length of time since your last Covid vaccine shot. For example, travellers to Austria must've had their second or third jab in the past 270 days. And for travellers to Croatia it's 365 days. You may need to follow extra entry requirements and testing rules if your jab was given before this – so double check before travelling.
Most countries also require that travellers must fill in a passenger locator form on arrival but don't get caught out in thinking you have to pay for these forms. They'll always be available free of charge on the Government website in the destination you arrive in.
Always check for yourself before travelling or planning to travel, as this is a fast-moving situation – if you spot something in the table that needs updating, please let us know.
Top holiday destinations – what are their entry rules and restrictions?
| Destination rules if double vaccinated | Rules if not fully vaccinated | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia |
Entry not allowed for short-term holidaymakers (1) | |
| Austria |
- Entry only allowed if within 270 days of second jab AND booster (u15s exempt) or proof of recovery instead of booster - No quarantine |
- Entry only allowed with negative test or proof of recovery in past 180 days (u12s exempt if travelling with an adult, if unsupervised they must take a test) - Min 10-day quarantine (u18s exempt) |
| Barbados |
- Entry only allowed with negative test - No quarantine |
- Entry only allowed with negative test - Min five-day quarantine (u18s follow same rules as accompanying adults) |
| Canada |
- Entry only allowed with negative test - No quarantine |
- Entry not allowed (u18s can enter with negative test but must quarantine for 14 days & take additional tests on arrival; u12s can enter with negative tests with fully vaccinated adult but partial quarantine required) |
| Croatia |
- Entry only allowed if within 365 days of second jab or booster jab - No quarantine |
- Entry only allowed with negative test or proof of recovery (u12s exempt if accompanying adult meets entry requirements) - No quarantine |
| France |
- Entry only allowed with negative test - No quarantine |
- Entry not allowed (u18s exempt) |
| Germany |
- Entry allowed - No quarantine or test required |
- Entry only allowed with negative test or proof of recovery in past 6mths (u6s exempt) - Min five-day quarantine (u6s exempt) |
| Gibraltar |
- Entry allowed but must take test on arrival and quarantine until negative result |
- Entry only allowed with negative test (u12s exempt), plus additional test must be taken on arrival and you must quarantine until negative result |
Greece (incl islands) |
- Entry only allowed with negative test (u5s exempt) - No quarantine |
|
| Italy |
- Entry only allowed with negative test - No quarantine |
- Entry only allowed with negative test (u6s exempt) - Five-day quarantine (u18s exempt if travelling with vaccinated adult and show negative test) |
| Malta |
- Entry allowed - No quarantine or test required |
- Entry not allowed (u12s can enter with negative test with fully vaccinated adult; u5s exempt from testing) |
| Portugal (mainland) | - Entry only allowed with negative test - No quarantine |
|
| Portugal (Azores and Madeira) | - Entry allowed - No quarantine or test required |
- Entry only allowed with negative test (u12s exempt) - No quarantine |
Spain (incl Balearic and Canary Islands) |
- Entry allowed - No quarantine or test required |
- Entry not allowed (u12s exempt) |
| Switzerland |
Until Sat 22 Jan: - No quarantine
From Sat 22 Jan: - Entry only allowed if within 270 days of second jab OR proof of recovery - No quarantine |
- Entry not allowed (u18s can enter with fully vaccinated adult; u16s exempt from testing) |
| The Netherlands |
- Entry only allowed with min five-day quarantine | - Entry not allowed (u18s can enter with negative test; u12s exempt from testing, those aged 13-18 must quarantine for min. 5 days) |
| Turkey |
- Entry allowed - No quarantine |
- Entry only allowed with negative test or proof of recovery (u12s exempt) - No quarantine |
United Arab Emirates (Dubai) |
- Entry only allowed with negative test (u12s exempt) - No quarantine |
|
United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi) |
- Entry only allowed with negative test (u12s exempt) - Must also take a test on arrival, day four and day eight - No quarantine |
|
| USA |
- Entry only allowed with negative test - No quarantine |
- Entry not allowed (u18s can enter with negative test; u2s exempt from testing) |
Last fully checked on 21 January 2022 – please let us know if you spot anything that needs updating. The info provided above assumes you only hold a UK passport, that you're travelling for tourism reasons from the UK, and that you've not been outside of the UK in the days prior to leaving. Transit rules may vary so check. Some destinations may also have local lockdowns in place. (1) Eligible visa holders can travel to and from Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. All other temporary visa holders must apply for a travel exemption.
How can I prove my vaccination status?
Here's how to prove your vaccination status (travellers across the UK who have a had a booster jab will now be able to use the NHS Covid Pass to display and confirm that they've received a third shot):
- In England, if you're registered with a GP the Government says you can use the existing NHS health app to show your vaccination status when abroad – though it's best to check your destination will accept this before travelling. Alternatively, you can request paper validation online or by calling 119.
- In Northern Ireland, if you're travelling within the next three months, you can request a digital certificate and QR code online. Or, you can request a paper version by calling 0300 200 7814.
- In Scotland, you can view your vaccination record online or request a copy via the Covid-19 Status Helpline.
- In Wales, you can access your digital vaccination record online or request a paper certificate if you can't use the digital service or need a bilingual copy.
Incoming UK travel rules and testing requirements
Summary of the rules for those arriving into the UK
| Fully vaccinated travellers (and u18s): |
Unvaccinated travellers |
• Must take a rapid antigen (lateral flow) test within 48 hours of entering the UK (excludes u5s). PCR tests are no longer required • No requirement to take a pre-departure test or to self-isolate on arrival |
• Pre-departure PCR or rapid antigen test required (1) • Must also take PCR test on day two AND day eight after arriving back in the UK • Must self-isolate for 10 days after arrival • In England you can end self-isolation early on day five by taking an extra PCR test |
| While all countries have now been removed from the red list, the managed quarantine hotel policy could be re-imposed at any point and we'll update this guide accordingly if any traveller is required to hotel quarantine once again. | |
If you test positive for coronavirus in England you must take and log an NHS test result and self-isolate for five consecutive days. (1) If you fly to the UK and stop on the way without exiting border control you should take the test 48hrs before the first leg of your trip.
With millions of trips cancelled as a result of the pandemic and ongoing uncertainty, you may be concerned about what happens if you can't go.
Fear not. Whether you're looking at booking a new trip or trying to get a refund for a cancelled one, we've a round-up of your rights below. (The following applies to overseas and UK bookings, but for extra help on your rights domestically, see UK holiday bookings below.)
Travel firms SHOULD refund you for cancelled trips – though many have dragged their feet
As a general rule, if you've paid for a trip and then the travel firm cancels, you should be due a refund. You may see more cancellations as travel firms reduce schedules in the face of more restrictions and falling demand.
Yet refunds haven't always proved easy with cancellations due to the pandemic. While coronavirus has been devastating across the travel industry, firms have been treating customers in very different ways – as shown by several major MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) surveys we ran last year.
Even if some firms have previously been slow to refund customers, your right to a refund is clear:
- With most cancelled flights, you're due a full refund within seven days. Most cancelled flights will fall under flight delay rules (which have been written into UK law, and cover all flights leaving the UK or EU, as well as flights to the UK/EU on a UK/EU airline). These state you're entitled to choose between:
• EITHER a refund for the flight that was cancelled.
• OR an alternative flight (airlines call this re-routing) to your destination.
We've seen some airlines pushing customers towards getting a voucher instead, but you are absolutely entitled to a refund in this situation. In theory and according to the law, this should also be paid in seven days, though aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) acknowledged it was "very challenging" for airlines to sort it that quickly at the height of the pandemic. While refund backlogs should now have been cleared, refunds may still take longer in the future if restrictions suddenly change and there's a spate of cancellations.
If your airline ignores your complaint or you don't get the outcome you're after, you can use an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme. See the CAA's website for info on which airline is a member of which scheme. If an airline isn't signed up to an ADR scheme you may be able to complain directly to the CAA instead.
- With cancelled package holidays, you're due a full refund within 14 days. Package holidaymakers whose trips are cancelled are also entitled to all their money back under the Package Travel Regulations.
Technically you're due this refund within two weeks, but in practice it could be longer – the Chartered Trading Standards Institute previously told us that insisting on a 14-day turnaround could be tricky given the volume of refunds travel firms were grappling with. While most of these backlogs should now have been cleared, it may still be advisable to show forbearance and not push the law as far as it can technically go on the timescale. But the important thing is that you are due a refund.
With other travel bookings (hotels, car hire etc), the rules are less clear-cut but you SHOULD still get a refund. Generally speaking, if the service you have booked isn't provided, you should be refunded – and that's a principle the UK competition watchdog has clearly supported. Enforcing it may be tricky though, especially if the firm is abroad where local laws may be different to those in the UK – so there are no guarantees.
Some countries may require you to show a negative test result on arrival. If you've taken the test but the trip is then cancelled, you need to contact the provider you ordered the test from to see if it'll refund you – but there are no guarantees. If you've paid for the test but not yet taken it as your trip was cancelled, you may find providers are more willing to give refunds.
Struggling to get a refund? You can also try your card firm or insurer – though there are no guarantees
If you're having real difficulties getting the refund you're owed for a cancelled trip, there are other avenues you can try – though none are guaranteed to work:
- You may be able to claim from your card firm. If you paid by debit or credit card, you can also try getting money back via your card firm. Try claiming from your card provider under chargeback (or Section 75).
Under chargeback, which isn't a legal requirement, just a customer service promise, your bank will try to get money back from the bank of the firm you bought from – you can try it on debit card purchases and those which are less than £100. Alternatively, under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, if you pay for something costing between £100 and £30,000 on a credit card, the card firm's equally liable if something goes wrong, so you may be able to claim. See full Section 75 and Chargeback info.
MSE founder Martin Lewis suggests you try chargeback first though: "Even if you actually have a credit card and qualify for Section 75, I wouldn't ask for that at this stage. I would ask for a chargeback. That's because under the chargeback process, which is part of the Visa, Mastercard or Amex rules, your bank is asking for money back from the holiday firm's bank, which your bank is unlikely to have an issue doing."
You can try speaking to your insurer... but it's tricky. Most travel insurers have told us if you're entitled to a refund from a firm you've booked with, you'll need to chase that firm for a refund rather than claim on your insurance.
Just because insurers say they won't accept your claims though, that doesn't mean there's no point trying. Insurers want to avoid paying out when they can and, while you should seek a refund from the provider first when you're legally owed one, if you're really struggling, ask your insurer if it can help – even if it's by goodwill. Plus if you are unhappy with your insurer's decision you can also take it to the independent arbitrator, the free Financial Ombudsman Service.
If all else fails, there's the legal route. We've put this last because it could cost money, may be time-consuming and you'll need to weigh up seriously whether the sum you're chasing is worth it. How you do it will depend on what you're claiming for. A good first step may be to threaten court action in a letter – then you could end up having to file a county court claim online. See our Small Claims Court guide for full help.
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NB: Here we're only talking about trips, either overseas or within the UK, which AREN'T cancelled by the firm you booked with. If your trip is cancelled, see above for full help on how to get a refund.
Important. Check refund policies and DON'T automatically rush to cancel your trip yourself
The table below goes through different airline, tour operator etc refund policies. If you can't go and you can get a refund, then simply claim that money back and you're done.
But if you're not certain to get a refund, and your trip has NOT been cancelled by the firm you booked with, don't make a rash decision and automatically cancel the trip yourself. That's because if it later cancels it (given how fluid the situation is, that may yet happen) you're due a refund, so it's a bit of cat and mouse.
However, don't leave it too late and miss out on a voucher or the ability to change the ticket, as there are often deadlines to invoke these policies. Even if there's a fee, that's better than losing all your money.
Remember, though – if you booked a cancellable hotel, or your airline lets you cancel for no charge, then you can cancel at will.
Unable to travel due to lockdown restrictions or is a border you want to cross closed? You may get a refund
We've an overview of the different scenarios, and what your travel firm or airline should do for you in each:
- Your trip's still going ahead but lockdown restrictions don't allow you to travel. General guidance from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) states that you should get a full refund if it would be illegal for you to use a booking, for example, if there's a full lockdown or 'stay at home' directive in place.
Yet this isn't a definitive interpretation of the law, and the CMA has been investigating travel firms which only seem to offer vouchers in this scenario – so getting a refund may not always be plain sailing. Plus if you've flights that start in other countries, or hotels booked there, you're at the mercy of your travel provider and the country it's governed by.
- You can go on the trip but your destination won't let you in. If your trip is still going ahead AND you can leave your region BUT the destination you're going to won't let you in, then you're also at the mercy of your travel provider – check its cancellation policy to see if it'll refund you. The Package Travel Regulations may, however, offer some protection for package holidaymakers if your destination won't let you in - as this could be seen as a significant change to your trip meaning a full refund is due, even if you cancel - but check first.
- You can leave your area, and your destination will let you in, but you simply don't want to travel. You're unlikely to get your money back as the provider is still offering the service you booked, unless you have a flexible flight and/or flexible or cancellable hotel booking.
If your flight or holiday is still running, even travel insurance is unlikely to cover you (though there are some rare exceptions). The same goes for those who simply change their mind – travel insurance won't cover this scenario. See more in I've bought travel insurance – am I covered? below.
What are travel providers' cancellation and rebooking policies?
The table below covers the cancellation policies of major travel firms, split into your rights when the firm cancels and your rights when you cancel – this applies for usually inflexible tickets.
Be aware though that the situation is changing fast, so it's best to double-check with your travel provider directly before making any decisions:
Travel firm cancellation and rebooking rights
| Travel firm | Refund policy if firm cancels | Refund policy if you cancel |
| Airbnb | Full refund | Refunds vary depending on how far in advance you cancel and the host's booking policy. Eg, can usually get full refund if you cancel 24hrs+ before check-in if host has 'flexible' policy or 5 days+ before check-in if 'moderate flexibility'. Cancellation fees apply with other policies and service fees may be non-refundable depending on your booking history |
| British Airways | Some flights may be cancelled (check yours here) – full refund, voucher or rebooking | For flights before 31 Aug 22 – can rebook (must pay any fare difference) or claim voucher before check-in closes. The voucher can be redeemed for travel up until 30 September 2023 |
| Easyjet | Full refund, voucher or rebooking | Full refund, voucher or rebooking if a travel ban means you can't fly. Otherwise cancellation fees may apply |
| Eurostar | Full refund | Rearrange trip fee-free (must pay fare difference) up to seven days before departure. If it's less than seven days before departure, Standard and Standard Premier ticket holders will need to pay an exchange fee to change their booking |
| Hoseasons | Full refund, voucher or rebooking | Full refund if proof of positive Covid test. If you cancel for non-Covid reasons, refunds depend on how long before arrival you notify Hoseasons eg, 7 days or less = 5% refund, between 56 and 70 days = 50% refund, 70+ days = loss of deposit |
| Jet2 | Full refund | Full refund if destination has mandatory quarantine that you can't exit with negative Covid-19 test or proof of vaccination (must request 3+ days before departure). Can rebook without fees in some other cases (must pay any fare difference). Otherwise change/cancellation fees apply |
| Logan Air | Full refund or rebooking | Full refund or rebooking (but must pay any fare difference) if new UK Govt restrictions mean you legally can't fly. Otherwise change/cancellation fees apply |
| Loveholidays | Full refund or rebooking
|
May be able to rebook without fees in some cases (but must pay any fare difference). Otherwise cancellation fees apply |
| Ryanair | Full refund or rebooking | Flights purchased between 26 Dec 21 and 31 Jan 22 can be rebooked fee-free at least 7 days before departure until 30 Sept 22 (but must pay any fare difference). Other fees may apply |
| Tui | Full refund or rebooking | May be able to rebook without fees in some cases (but must pay any fare difference). Otherwise cancellation fees apply |
| Virgin Atlantic | Full refund, voucher or rebooking | For flights up to 30 Apr 22 – up to day before departure, can rebook without fees (but must pay any fare difference) or claim voucher to be used by 30 Apr 23. Otherwise change/cancellation fees may apply |
The information in this table is constantly changing. This was the situation when we last checked on 21 January 2022.
How long do airline refund vouchers last?
Many airlines have offered customers refunds through the provision of airline vouchers. The table in the drop-down menu below covers the voucher policies of a number of major airlines.
Be aware, however, that the situation is changing fast, so it's best to double-check with your airline if you're unsure when your voucher expires.
What if the Foreign Office advises against travel?
Between March and July 2020, the Foreign Office warned against all non-essential travel overseas. That blanket warning has now been lifted. But as well as being a useful safety guide, Foreign Office warnings are important in the following scenarios:
- Package holiday firms should refund you if there's a Foreign Office warning. If a Foreign Office warning is put in place under the Package Travel Regulations, you SHOULD be able to get a refund within 14 days – even if the trip's not been cancelled – though always check first with the firm before you cancel.
This isn't the case with DIY trips where you've booked hotels and flights separately. In that situation you can still try asking the companies concerned for a refund, but you don't have the same legal protection or rights.
- If you travel when there is a Foreign Office warning, most travel insurance becomes totally invalid. This applies even for non-Covid issues as the whole policy is usually invalid. As there are some exceptions, do check.
Foreign Office advice doesn't exactly align with the 'red list' travel system – and it can be the key factor when it comes to refunds.
Can I get a refund if I need to quarantine on arrival at my destination?
If the country you're going to insists you must quarantine for a certain amount of time on arrival, it's unlikely that airlines or hotels will offer a refund if they're open and running services. You also won't be able to use credit or debit card protection, because the service is still available.
However, if you've a package holiday, you MAY be able to get a refund from the travel firm. Where the destination country puts a mandatory quarantine in place for all arrivals, this could be considered a 'significant change' to your holiday. Package travel association ABTA says travel companies should offer an alternative or a full refund in those circumstances.
What if I can't or don't want to go because I have to quarantine on my return?
We've previously been asked by users if they'll legally be able to get a refund on travel bookings (for example, a flight or package holiday) if they are unable or unwilling to quarantine on their return, and are therefore unable to take their trip. The short answer is no, as the company would not have to refund you for your disinclination to travel – though some firms may agree to help out, so it's worth asking.
Your travel insurance is also unlikely to cover you if you have to quarantine. However, insurance trade body the Association of British Insurers says you should ask your insurer directly to be certain, as some insurers may consider exemptions if you will be disproportionately affected, eg, if having to quarantine on your return will affect your employment.
Similarly, if an overseas destination moves to the UK's 'red list', it's unlikely that you'll be able to claim a refund from travel firms or your travel insurer, as the change wouldn't affect the delivery of your holiday – only what happens when you get back. However, if your destination is reclassified, it's possible your travel provider may choose to cancel your booking itself – in the event this happens, the normal rules on cancellations would apply.
With some countries around the world banning British holidaymakers and operators cancelling travel services, it may mean some UK travellers have been or could be stranded abroad. If so, here are your rights...
While the above sections on cancellations apply to both UK and overseas holidays, there are some specific extra points to consider with UK holidays – especially if you're still chasing a refund for a cancellation as a result of a previous lockdown.
Of course, UK holidays are allowed currently, but as that hasn't always been the case previously, and since it's possible restrictions could return, we've detailed your rights in different circumstances below.
As with overseas holidays, a key factor in whether you're owed a refund for a UK trip is whether your holiday firm has cancelled your booking. If yours does, then in simple terms you're likely due a full refund.
If you've booked a package holiday, then under the Package Travel Regulations you are entitled to get all your money back within two weeks of cancellation. But even if it's not a package, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says as a general rule firms MUST offer cash refunds for cancellations. So if your holiday or accommodation booking is cancelled, you're likely due a full refund and should ask for one if it's not offered.
Holiday not cancelled? Your refund rights depend on rules in place at the time of your trip
Things are more complex if your holiday is running and your accommodation is open but you're unable to go due to lockdown restrictions either at your holiday destination or in your local area. The key to your rights here is the legal status of the restrictions which are stopping you travelling:
If travel's illegal under coronavirus rules, you're likely due a full refund
The good news is in this situation the CMA says you should expect a full refund. Its guidance states that consumers should get their money back if they're not provided with a service due to lockdown laws, or can't access what they paid for "because, for example, lockdown laws in the UK or abroad have made it illegal to receive or use the goods or service". This would apply both to not being able to leave their area or to get to an area where the accommodation is based.
It's important to note however that CMA guidance isn't a definitive interpretation of the law, and this is a new scenario which hasn't been tested – so while you can direct your holiday accommodation provider to the guidance, complain to the CMA or even pursue legal action, there are no guarantees.
If travel's advised against but not illegal, your refund rights are less clear
If your trip is to or from a part of the UK where travel is advised against but is not illegal, things could be more complicated.
Unfortunately, in this situation you may find it more difficult to get your money back if you decide not to travel. The CMA's guidance says if the restrictions which prevent a service being used aren't legal restrictions, it's not clear whether a consumer would be entitled to a full refund.
This doesn't mean you're definitely not entitled to a refund. The CMA says if a consumer would be at serious risk if they went ahead with a contract (such as a holiday booking) against Government guidance, the contract could be deemed to have been "frustrated" – in which case you could be owed a full refund. But it's much murkier – and again, you need to remember these are untested situations and ultimately only a court can decide how the law applies in different scenarios.
The best bet is to speak to your holiday or accommodation provider and ask what it'll offer. You may be able to cancel under your usual terms and conditions, or ask for more flexibility such as a date change. If you can't come to an agreement you're both happy with, you'll need to weigh up how hard to push for a refund. You can try the steps we outline above, but there are no guarantees and you may be less likely to have success if your trip isn't technically forbidden by law.
If you're still allowed to travel but decide not to go, you've no automatic right to a refund
If you are still permitted to go on your holiday under official restrictions and guidance, it's important to understand you don't have any automatic right to a refund if you choose not to go.
If your holiday's still on or the hotel's still open, your refund rights will simply depend on the terms and conditions you agreed to when you booked. Of course, these may still let you cancel for free or move your trip, and some firms are also offering extra flexibility to all their customers at the moment due to coronavirus, so it's still worth checking what your options are.
What if I've booked a trip for multiple households?
This isn't currently an issue as there are no restrictions on multiple households gathering, but we've answered this question in case restrictions come in again in future. So if your holiday is to and from a permitted area, but would break rules because the travellers are from multiple households, CMA guidance suggests you'd be owed a refund (though it's not completely clear-cut and there are no guarantees).
When we checked back in September 2020, all the major UK firms we'd spoken to said they would pay out – see more details in our Social gatherings of more than six banned – your refund rights MSE News story.
Most new travel insurance policies WON'T cover cancellations due to future UK or foreign government no-travel rules. However working out exactly what a policy covers isn't always straightforward. So to help, we've summarised the level of cover you can expect when it comes to Covid-related cancellations in the table below.
Covid-related cancellation cover you can typically expect
| Scenario | Covered by a travel insurance policy? |
| You/family member can't travel as you test positive for Covid-19. |  Most DO, unless travelling against Government advice. |
| You test positive for Covid-19 overseas and need to extend trip and/or get medical help. |
Most DO, unless travelling against Government advice. |
| You/family member can't travel as told to isolate by NHS. |
SOME cover this – check with your insurer. |
| Government restrictions in the UK mean you can't travel, such as a lockdown or change in FCDO travel advice. |
FEW cover this – check with your insurer. |
| Overseas government restrictions mean you can't travel, such as lockdowns and quarantine on entry. |  Generally NOT covered (though a few cover cancelling pre-booked accommodation). |
| You can't go as you're not willing/able to meet quarantine requirements on return to the UK (if applicable). | Generally NOT covered (though a few cover hotel quarantine costs if you choose to travel). |
| Can't travel as you don't feel safe going. | NOT covered – travel insurance never covers 'disinclination to travel'. |
In short, you're generally covered if you catch coronavirus before your trip or while you're on it. Most cover stops there, however there are a handful of insurers that provide some cover for cancellations due to national or local lockdowns – whether in the UK or in your destination – as well as changing Foreign Office advice.
See our Cheap Travel Insurance guide for the top picks (all of our top picks cover cancellation if you catch Covid before you travel or are told to self-isolate by the NHS).
However, as no policy is completely comprehensive with regards to Covid and cancellation, it's best to book flexible, easily-cancellable flights, hotels or packages so you can cancel or rearrange your trip if you're caught by restrictions.
What can I do if my travel insurer unfairly turns down my claim?
Insurance is about protection from unexpected eventualities. Within that there are the usual likely known eventualities, such as illness or lost luggage. Then there are the unknown eventualities, like Icelandic volcanoes or pandemics (though since March 2020, coronavirus is classified as a "known event"). Therefore, it is very difficult to predict whether insurers will pay out in different circumstances.
Yet it's important to understand insurers are covered by the financial 'treating customers fairly' rules, which mean if you don't think your insurer has been fair, you can make a formal complaint. After it replies, or after eight weeks if it doesn't, you can then go to the free Financial Ombudsman to adjudicate.
Eight weeks may be a long time in this case, so if your situation is really financially pressing, tell the Ombudsman.
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3 December 2021![]()
PCR travel test provider Randox Health has changed its terms and conditions to be clearer on when customers can expect tests and results to arrive and when they can cancel an order and claim a refund. -
Your travel refund rights explained amid Covid-19 testing and quarantining shake-up
30 November 2021![]()
Holidaymakers with trips booked to Spain, Switzerland and Israel face disruption due to new Covid-19 entry requirements for all three destinations - including Spain banning unvaccinated tourists from 1 December. Below we explain what's changing and your refund rights if you can no longer travel. -
Fully vaccinated travellers to England and Wales can save £20 using day two lateral flows tests that will shortly replace PCR tests
22 October 2021![]()
The Government has today released its approved list of private testing providers that will offer day two lateral flow tests for fully vaccinated travellers to England and Wales. Travellers will be able to save £20 using lateral flow tests compared to pricier PCRs.
19 January 2022
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Martin's money makeover
22 ways to save you £2,022 in 2022
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Holidays are back
Find the cheapest way to spend abroad
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'I was due £3.4k/yr in universal credit'
Are you missing out on what you're entitled to?
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FREE £2 Starbucks Doubleshot
Plus FREE £1.80 crackers and more
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Don't bin post from Barclaycard
Some are getting cheques of up to £300
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Cheapest iPhone 13 deal we've seen
128GB iPhone 13 with 100GB/mth of data
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'How I averaged 25,437 steps a day'
See Martin's new blog
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Read the full email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
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MPs call state pension shortfalls for women a 'shameful shambles' - here's how to check to see if you are owed money
21 January 2022![]()
if you think you've been affected and underpaid it's important you check to see if you are owed money. -
Tens of thousands of Three customers to lose 'free' roaming abroad as they're 'forced' onto new contracts - here's all you need to know
21 January 2022![]()
MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal that the mobile operator is 'forcing' certain customers to sign up to new plans, which means they'll lose their 'free' roaming benefit. -
Coronavirus Travel Rights
21 January 2022![]()
The coronavirus outbreak is causing major travel disruption around the globe.. We've the full info on what's happened, including changes to testing and quarantining. Plus, this guide also has key info on travel insurance, refund rights and more. -
Millions of BT, EE, Plusnet, TalkTalk and Vodafone customers to be hit with price hikes of up to 9.3% - here's what you can do about it
20 January 2022![]()
Millions of BT, EE, Plusnet, TalkTalk and Vodafone customers will be hit with price hikes of up to 9.3% this spring. All of the telecoms providers use December's consumer prices index (CPI) rate of inflation, as announced this week, to determine increases... -
Bank of England base rate jumps to 0.25% - what the rise means for you
20 January 2022![]()
The Bank of England base rate has risen from 0.1% to 0.25% after the majority of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) today voted in favour of raising the rate. The base rate is used by the Bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money – and influences what borrowers pay and savers earn.
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Martin Lewis: I averaged 25,437 steps a day (burning 3,993 calories) in 2021 – here's how...
10 January 2022This is my sixth annual steps blog. My well-documented obsession with the 'quantified self' is showing no sign of abating. According to my tracker, I did 9,284,614 steps (nearly 400,000 more than last year) – a ridiculous, hopefully healthy obsession. -
Martin Lewis: What makes us human – the sharing of ideas and knowledge
29 November 2021![]()
I was invited on to BBC Radio 2 Vine's 'What Makes Us Human' programme. The brief: "write then read out an essay on one unique element of humanity, interspersed with some autobiographical notes".
Clever ways to calculate your finances
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