Where Can Scots Travel Abroad?
*Plane ticket prices and average travel insurance premiums are based on a 30 years old couple flying from UK to the destination for one week, at the end of July. Insurance premium is for a 10K medical cover and 5K travel cancellation and disruption protection (including COVID-19 cover).
The UK government regularly updates its advice on all international travel, with the The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) publishing a list of countries and territories exempted from the 'all but essential' international travel list.
At the same time, on the way back home, the Scottish government maintains a list of countries and territories from which anybody coming from has to observe a 14 days quarantine upon return into Scotland. Only the countries and territories are listed below are exempted from such restrictions.
Good to know
Since December 2nd, the Scottish government has permitted again travelling abroad for leisure purposes - although it strongly advises against it. Please note that this map is updated on a weekly basis, and that its data is accurate at the moment it is published. Last update: 9 December.
What are the latest Scottish government updates against all but essential travel?
The Scottish Government publishes the list of countries where Scottish citizens may go or not during the covid-19 pandemic period. If you are planning a trip abroad, you should consult this list, which will be updated following the pandemic situation developments.
Good to know
Be careful though, although Scottish government advises that you are free to go in any of the deep blue destination listed on the map, there is no guarantee that the country will let you in. For any update on your summer travel destination, check the Scottish government website.
Which countries are exempt from the 'all but essential' Scottish government list?
[[country.name]], [[matchedCountries[matchedCountries.length - 1].name]] is are exempted from travel ban from 10th of July and no quarantine upon return to Scotland.
Free to go but with restrictions upon returning from or entry at destination [[country.name]], [[matchedCountriesQ[matchedCountriesQ.length - 1].name]].
FCO still advises against all but essential traveling to [[country.name]], [[matchedCountriesNoGo[matchedCountriesNoGo.length - 1].name]].
Europe & Africa
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- Gibraltar
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- Norway
- Portugal (only Madeira and the Azores)
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Spain (only the Canary Islands)
- St Helena
Americas
- Anguilla
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Aruba
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Bonaire
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Falkland Islands
- Grenada
- Martinique
- South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Barthélemy
- St Maarten
- St Pierre and Miquelon
- St Vincent and The Grenadines
- Turk & Caicos
- Uruguay
- US Virgin Islands
Asia-Pacific
- Australia
- Bahrain
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- Brunei
- Bhutan
- Cambodia
- Cook Islands
- Fiji
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Laos
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Micronesia
- Mongolia
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Qatar
- Salomon Islands
- Samoa
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Timor Leste
- Tonga
- United Arab Emirates
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
After COVID-19 summer holidays, which destination to opt for?
The Scottish Government has updated its list of countries exempted from the ‘all but essential’ international travel restriction for travelers from the UK. With the pandemics still virulent in Africa, Central Asia and America, there are still many countries unaccessible for the Scots:
- The great majority of European countries are now out of the 'all but essential' destinations listed by the Scottish Government. However, travelling to Portugal mainland, some countries of South East Europe, and now Spain, Belgium and Andorra is still discouraged by the authorities.
- As for the Americas, travelling to South America, Canada or in the United States is strongly discouraged by the Scottish government.
- With Central Asia being at the heart of the pandemic, you will have to consider South East Asia if you wish to travel that far. Vietnam or Hong Kong are now considered safe by the Scottish government, as well as South Korea and Japan. New Zealand, New Caledonia or Australia are also exempt from the list.
- The access to the entire African continent is discouraged by the Scottish Government - except the Reunion or Mauritius Islands.
Watch out!
However, many of these countries are still concerned about restriction rules upon entry enforced by the local authorities, which considerably complicate any travel to those destinations.
Why getting a travel insurance is so important this summer?
Getting a travel insurance has never been so important. Indeed, with Covid-19 lockdown and travel ban, people have lost thousands of pounds seeing their annual holiday plan cancelled with no chance to get refund without any travel insurance purchased.
However, you should definitely pick the right travel insurance cover. While the worldwide situation remaining unstable, we would definitely advise you to pick between one of the two travel insurance options:
- "Any cancellation reason" travel insurance: it usually comes at a certain prices (between 10 to 12% of your stay), but you will get total refund in case something comes up, including a worldwide pandemic.
- "Named perils", being sure that "pandemic" is named as a potential peril (usually 7 to 9% of your stay budget).
Watch out!
Cancellation reason for natural disaster DOES NOT include pandemic as a valid reason.
Which travel insurers cover pandemic crisis?
First of all, one must be aware that the world currently goes through a fast-changing period regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and its evolution in time. This may impact the travel insurance policies proposed by the companies, so you should always carefully check your cover before going.
- On the first hand, some travel insurers propose a cancellation cover, in case your journey would be impossible due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With the uncertainty about the possibility of a "second wave" to happen, such guarantees can be desirable.
- On the second hand, most of the travel insurance companies are now proposing medical and repatriation cover, in case you get contaminated by the Covid-19 during your holidays abroad. Of course, this will naturally increase the price you will have to pay, but that is undoubtedly an important security regarding the cost that can represent a stay in an hospital and a repatriation by plane.
- "Leading ABI travel insurance members will look to extend cover for emergency medical treatment for up to a minimum of 60 days for customers stuck overseas and trying to return home", said the ABI on a recent release.
Insurers like insurefor.com or Allclear now offer specific medical and cancellation cover including any reason related to COVID-19. Compare all travel insurances including COVID-19 cover (or not) in one clic on our comparison tool.
How much is travel insurance covering COVID-19 travel disruption?
Travel insurance premium for Europe | Travel insurance premium for Australia | Travel insurance premium for any part of the world | |
---|---|---|---|
30 years old couple 1 week travel £10K medical cover £5K cancellation cover | £25,60 | £89,70 | £139,00 |
Our methodology
Please note that the above-mentioned information is accurate at the date it is published. For getting the most up to date information, you shall consult the FCO website before planning your journey abroad and purchasing your travel insurance. All our studies are based on reliable information sourced from public and privates organizations. For further information on our editorial guidelines please click here.
About Hello-Safe.co.uk
Hello-Safe.co.uk is a comparison platform which is shaking up the insurance market – giving you access to the best UK insurance deals in less than 30 seconds. Safe is supported and financed by Blue, an Insuretech Venture Capital firm. Blue already owns two leaders in the French insurance comparison market. These platforms help more than 10 million people with their insurance every year. We have developed a unique comparison technology that gives access to cover details and quotes without customers having to give their phone number or email address. This engine is the result of four years of hard work.
For all press enquiries, please contact :
Alexandre Desoutter
Communications & PR officer
+ 44 20 7770 97 98