Covid Test For Travel: Learn which Tests you need and Order Online

Covid Test for Travel to and from the UK - FAQs

Last updated: 7 January 2022

From 4am Friday 7th January, fully vaccinated travellers and those under 18 no longer need to take a pre-departure test before returning to England.

Day 2 Lateral Flow Tests for fully vaccinated travelling to England are available to buy now. Please note that these tests cannot be used until 4am GMT Sunday 9th January. Further details can be found here.

The rules for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers have not changed. All unvaccinated travellers arriving to the UK must continue to take a pre-departure test, self-isolate for 10 days on return and take the mandatory day 2 and day 8 PCR tests. Unvaccinated travellers also have the option to shorten their self-isolation period on day 5 through the Test to Release scheme.

You can find all the information you need about choosing the right tests for your travels, booking your tests and when to take your tests using our updated travel planner. Any future changes to travel tests rules will be reflected on our website as soon as they are confirmed by the UK Government.

Medicspot Covid-19 Testing: Overview

Find everything you need to know about Covid-19 testing with Medicspot in this short video below:

Fit to Fly Covid Test

What is a fit to fly Covid-19 test for travel?

A fit to fly certificate is a medical certificate signed by a doctor, which is produced after having taken a Fit to Fly Covid Test. The certificate will show that you are fit to fly, with no symptoms of Covid-19 and a low risk of spreading coronavirus to other people in the country you intend to fly to.

Many countries require PCR or Antigen Covid Tests for travel, however, the type of test required will depend on the destination you are travelling to, and may also depend on whether you are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated or unvaccinated.

Where can I get a PCR Fit to Fly test near me?

Medicspot offers private PCR tests for travel complete with a certified fit to fly certificate. You can order your PCR tests online and have your test kit delivered to you fast via Royal Mail. We’ll send a simple swab test for you to perform at home. Instructions on how to return your test swab to our lab will be supplied with your kit. Order before 2pm for same-day dispatch, with delivery by Royal Mail in 2-3 working days.

If you test negative for Covid-19, we can provide you with a certified Covid-19 fit to fly medical certificate signed by a UK General Medical Council (GMC) doctor. Please note that we can only issue a fit to fly letter from GP if you test negative for Covid-19.

Is the fit to fly certificate guaranteed to be accepted by all airlines?

Our fit to fly certificate consists of PCR tests or antigen tests, depending on the requirements from your destination. Our antigen tests are fully certified and PCR tests are processed by the UKAS applicant laboratories, ensuring your test results and fit to fly certificate will be accepted by all major airlines and embassies.

Pre-Departure Testing

Do I have to take a Covid-19 test before I travel to the UK?

From 7 January, the pre-departure test only applies to unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers returning to the UK.

How soon should I take the test before I travel?

You must take the test in the 2 days (48 hours) before your service to England departs. If your journey to England is a multi-leg journey, you must take the test in the 2 days before the start of the first leg.

What happens if I don’t take a pre-departure test?

If you are not fully vaccinated and you fail to show evidence of a negative Covid-19 test result, you may not be able to travel to the UK. If you arrive in the UK without proof of a negative test result, you may be fined. Please see the government website for more information.

Can I use an NHS Covid-19 test to travel abroad?

NHS Covid-19 tests are currently not accepted for international travel. If you're travelling abroad from the UK, you must book a Covid-19 test with a private service provider like Medicspot. We recommend that you check with the destination and airline you’re travelling with prior to booking a test as testing requirements and timeframes vary.

Day 2 Testing

What are Day 2 only tests?

The Day 2 Covid test is designed to keep you and your contacts safe after travelling to the UK. If you get a positive result from your day 2 test, you must self-isolate for 10 days starting from the day that the test was conducted. People you live with or have travelled with should also self-isolate for 10 days from the day after your positive Covid test.

Who can take a Day 2 test?

Day 2 tests after international travel are required by all travellers arriving in the UK regardless of vaccination status.

Which type of test do I need to take on Day 2?

For fully vaccinated travellers this can be a Lateral Flow Test. Unvaccinated travellers are advised to book a day 2 and day 8 test package.

Day 2 and 8 Testing (Travel Test Package)

What is a Covid-19 travel test package?

Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers arriving to the UK are required to take mandatory PCR tests on both days 2 and 8 of their 10-day self-isolation period.

Our travel test package includes two RT-PCR Covid-19 tests - one to be taken on or before day 2 of arrival and another to be taken on or after day 8 of arrival. The package also includes a free Royal Mail returns label for free returns at your nearest Royal Mail Priority Box allowing you to receive your results within 24 hours.

How much does the travel test package cost?

Our Day 2 and 8 PCR Travel Test Packages cost just £150.

What happens if I don’t take the test?

The day 2 and day 8 tests are mandatory for unvaccinated travellers. If you do not take the tests, you may face a penalty of up to £2,000. Please see the government website for the latest information.

Test to Release

What is the Test to Release scheme?

Partially vaccinated and non-vaccinated travellers arriving in the UK must self-isolate for 10 days and take the mandatory day 2 and day 8 PCR tests. The Test to Release Scheme allows UK arrivals to shorten their quarantine time from day 5. If you test negative for Coronavirus, you can end your self-isolation period from day 5, however, you are still required to take and register the day 8 test.

How can I take part in the scheme?

You can book in your test with a government-listed private test provider like Medicspot or you can choose to opt in to the scheme on the government’s passenger locator form.

Is the Test to Release scheme mandatory?

No, Test to Release is voluntary. If you choose not to take part in the Test to Releaser scheme you must self isolate for 10 days upon return from a country not on the travel corridor list.

Covid Recovery Certificates

What is a Covid Recovery Certificate?

A Covid-19 Recovery Certificate is a document that certifies that you have had Covid-19 in the past 180 days (proved by a positive PCR Test), but have since been assessed by a GP and are deemed to have recovered and therefore have some natural immunity. Read our full article on Covid Recovery Certificates here.

How do I get a Covid Recovery Certificate?

Medicspot can provide Covid Recovery Certificates the same day. Just book a video appointment with one of our online GP's today. You'll need to have proof of your initial positive test.

More information

Covid Tests for Travel

Need a private PCR or Antigen Test? Order your at-home Covid test kit with Medicspot today.