United Kingdom: Entry requirement

Passport and Visa Requirements

Passport and Visa Service

There will be new rules for living, working, travelling and doing business in the UK and EU from 1 January 2021, applying to EU citizens. To find out more visit the UK's Government website : Check how to get ready for new rules in 2021.
Visiting the UK after Brexit: information for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens (the citizens of the other countries are not affected)
UK Visas and Immigration (check if you need a visa - service for all nationalities)
UK offices (including embassies) worldwide

For Further Information

Taxes and Restrictions On Persons When Going Through Customs

Taxation On Persons

None.

Tobacco

Non-EU arrivals: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
EU arrivals: 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco.

Alcohol

Non-EU arrivals: 4l of table wine; 16l of beer; 1l of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22 per cent or 2l of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs
EU arrivals: 90l of table wine; 110l of beer; 10l of alcoholic beverages stronger than 22 per cent or 20l of fortified or sparkling wine or other liqueurs

Perfume

Non-EU arrivals: 60ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
EU arrivals: unlimited if duty and tax paid.

Foreign Currency

No restrictions on the import or export of foreign currency.

Obligatory Declaration of Foreign Currency

EUR 10,000 or equivalent.

Local Currency

No restrictions on the import or export of local currency.

Obligatory Declaration of Local Currency

EUR 10,000 or equivalent.

How to Refund Consumption Tax

Visitors can get a VAT refunds on goods purchased in the United Kingdom if they visit the UK but live outside the UK or EU and are going back home, and if they are UK or EU resident but leaving the EU for 12 months or more.
However, the United Kingdom has left the EU since 31st January 2020. During the transition period, the system in place doesn’t change. From the 1st January 2021, subject to agreements negotiated in the future relationship between the UK and the EU, VAT may be deducted from the price of the goods you buy in the UK. For the detail on possible future changes regarding VAT and excise duties taking effect from 1 January 2021 following the UK's withdrawal from the EU and the end of the transition period please consult the European Commission's ‘BREXIT READINESS CHECKLIST’ FOR COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS WITH THE UK.

Documents are prepared by the merchant the goods are purchased from, and the refund is made directly by the merchant, rather than the customs service. As the refund scheme is voluntary, travelers should check that the merchant participates in the scheme before the goods are purchased. To qualify, goods must be exported from the EU within 3 months of purchase and visitors must provide proof of their residence status (e.g. non-EU passport). To find more info about the tax refund, please consult the official communication by the UK government.

Other Requirements

None.

Health Precautions

Obligatory Vaccination and Other Recommendations

It is recommended that everyone 16 years of age and older should get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before travel and present, if necessary, evidence of COVID-19 vaccination at the border. The updated information on all health entry requirements as well as on routine and recommended vaccines for the United Kingdom are provided on the dedicated pages on TravelHealthPro and CDC websites.
While there are no official requirements for vaccination, the following are strongly recommended: tetanus, diphtheria, rabies, chickenpox, measles, hepatitis A and B, influenza and poliomyelitis. However, immigration officers can refer individuals to a doctor for a medical examination: someone visibly unwell, intending to remain for more than 6 months or coming from a country with a high rate of tuberculosis.

For Further Information

World Health Organisation
Department of Health

Safety Conditions

Crime

Crime rates are generally low; however crime, including violent crime, has increased over the last few years, especially in London.  Incidents include pick pocketing; mugging; “snatch and grab” thefts of mobile phones etc.; and theft of unattended bags, especially at airports and from parked cars.

Terrorist Risk

The United Kingdom is politically stable but there is an increased threat of terrorist incidents of international origin, as well as the potential for isolated violence related to the political situation in Northern Ireland.

Risk of Natural Disaster

The risk of natural disasters is generally very low.

For Further Information

Visit Britain
Travel information from the Canadian Foreign Office
U.S. Department of State travel warnings

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