As an avid traveler who has spent more than seven years exploring the UK, I always make sure I know the newest rules and laws about traveling. With 2024 coming up quickly, changes are already being made to the rules for traveling in the UK. Let’s read below about “New UK Travel Rules 2024- What You Need to Know”.
I’ve planned a lot of trips to the UK over the years, so I know how to keep up with new rules to make sure my trips go smoothly. If you want to go on vacation to Scotland, see Buckingham Palace, or go backpacking through the English countryside, you need to know the rules for entering the UK.
I’ll break down the most important news about traveling to the UK in 2024 in this post. Read on to find out the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 rules, documentation requirements, customs allowances, and more.
Table of Contents
New UK Travel Rules 2024- What You Need to Know
Passport Validity
A valid passport is one of the most important things you need to travel to the UK. At least 10 years must have passed since October 1, 2021, on the date of the traveler’s entry into the country.
Also, your passport needs to be valid for at least three months after you plan to leave the UK. I once forgot about this rule and had to renew my passport right away before a trip. Don’t let that happen to you!
These rules about passport validity are for both visitors and people who live in the UK who are entering the country. To avoid any problems, I suggest that you check your passport’s expiration date as soon as you start making plans for your 2024 trips.
COVID-19 Restrictions
The UK has eased most of its COVID-19 travel restrictions, but you should still keep an eye out for any changes to the rules in 2024.
Starting in February 2023, travelers will not have to show proof that they were vaccinated against COVID or take tests before their trip. Thankfully, I didn’t have to take any tests on my most recent trip to London, which would have cost a lot and been a pain.
The UK government does suggest that visitors check the latest information before they go, just in case restrictions are put back in place. For regular updates, I suggest adding the official UK travel advice website to your bookmarks.
Also, you might want to think about getting travel insurance that covers illnesses or cancellations caused by COVID. Friends Emma and I were in Edinburgh in 2020, and Emma got COVID and needed medical care. She was glad she had her policy.
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
People from more than 50 countries will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to come to the UK in 2024. People from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and countries that are part of the European Union will have to follow these rules.
An ETA costs £6 and lets you check out visitors before they come in. Biometric information, such as a picture of your face, must be sent with an application. From what I’ve seen with ETA systems in other countries, you should apply at least 72 hours before your trip to give yourself time for processing.
Since I’m an American, I need to get an ETA before my road trip through England and Wales. The steps look easy; I just need to remember to add the application to my list of things to do before I leave for my trip!
Customs Allowances
What can you bring into the UK without paying taxes? In 2024, customs allowances will stay mostly the same.
You can still bring in 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos, 1 liter of liquor, and 4 liters of wine or beer if you are 18 or older. I will never forget the time I brought back 2 liters of whiskey from a tour of a distillery in Scotland. Luckily, I didn’t go over the limit!
You can bring 250 grams of other tobacco products into the country duty-free. You can also bring gifts and souvenirs worth up to £390.
It’s a good idea to keep receipts for everything you want to declare, in case customs officials ask for proof that you bought it. When I bought Swiss chocolates, I used the receipt to prove that I had bought them in Switzerland and not the UK.
Items that aren’t allowed include illegal drugs, offensive weapons, pornographic material, and fake goods. You can’t bring in meat, dairy, or other animal products from outside the EU either.
If you’re not sure what to do, check the full UK customs rules before you pack. To avoid problems at the border, you should list everything you bring in.
Entry With A Criminal Record
In 2024, it might be hard for people with a criminal record to get into the UK. Depending on things like sentence length and time elapsed, British authorities can refuse to let visitors in who have been convicted of a crime in the past.
Some years ago, my friend got a DUI and was turned away at the border. She had to hurry to get home on the next flight.
If you have a criminal record, you should talk to the UK Border Force before you go to make sure they can help you. Be ready to show the court documents that relate to your crime.
If you get your entry approved ahead of time, you can be sure that you won’t run into any problems when you get there.
Entry Requirements For Minors
Families planning vacations to the UK with kids under 18 should know the rules for letting kids in in 2024.
If you are traveling by yourself with a child under 18, you might have to show proof that you have permission from the child’s parent or guardian. Taking a letter signed by both parents that tells about my trip and its dates has helped me a lot.
No matter what age, children may also need a valid passport to enter the UK. My nephew, who is 2, and I went to London last year. Before we went, I had to get him his own passport.
To enter the UK by themselves, most unaccompanied minors must be at least 12 years old. Kids younger than 12 will need an adult to meet them at the airport.
Before your family trip, check with your airline and the UK government for the most up-to-date information on what children need to do to travel.
Conclusion
With some planning and practice, you’ll be ready to follow the new rules for traveling in the UK after 2024. Make sure you have a valid passport, know the latest COVID-19 rules, get an ETA if you need one, know what the customs rules are, and make sure that all of the requirements for minors are met.
I hope that these tips help you get ready for a smooth trip to this amazing place. When you go to the UK, I’m happy to share what I’ve learned with you so that your trip goes smoothly. If you have any more questions, please let me know. I’m always happy to help people who want to travel.
Sophie Turner is the adventure travel writer behind AdventureTravelFam.com. With over 10 years of experience in travel writing and a Master’s degree in Tourism Management, Sophie shares her expertise in exploring unique destinations and providing family-friendly travel tips. Follow her adventures on Instagram @adventure_travelfamily.
