Coronavirus travel advice for campers in the UK and Europe

UPDATED 18 March 2022

LATEST: All Covid-related restrictions for travel into the UK have been lifted regardless of vaccination status

  Camping Homepage

The coronavirus situation is changing on a regular basis. Here is the most up-to-date information about the rules for campers in the UK today.

Page Contents

• Introduction to Covid rules
• Current rules for camping in the UK
• How safe are campsites?
• Advice for travelling to and from Europe
• Rules for travelling to popular European countries

Introduction to Covid rules

This page is updated regularly and includes the most up-to-date information for camping and travel in the UK and Europe during the pandemic.

For the latest detailed government guidance visit the coronavirus page on the UK government website and the websites for the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you are considering a camping holiday in a tent, motorhome, campervan or caravan it’s vital that you plan properly and are aware of all the rules and regulations both here in the UK and in Europe.

With foreign travel guidance being updated regularly and potentially local restrictions in some areas of the UK, it’s important to keep an eye on government advice and only take a trip if it’s safe to do so.

Here you will find everything you need to know about where you can visit with your motorhome, campervan, caravan or tent in the UK and Europe.

If you are planning to travel abroad you should also check the local restrictions in place in the country you intend to visit.

Can I go camping in the UK?

Yes! Camping is currently allowed in all parts of the UK with the removal of the majority of coronavirus restrictions.

• England

In England, campsites have been allowed to fully open since May 2021 and people are now able to take camping holidays. Shared facilities onsite, like shower and toilet blocks, shops and food and drink outlets, can open. These should be cleaned regularly and be well ventiliated and campers are being urged to keep contact with other households to a minimum.

Before you book any campsite, check in advance with individual sites to find out what facilities they will have open and make sure they are allowing tents to pitch. If sites decide to open without shared facilities then you may be allowed to bring your own toilet and shower facilities, but again, check what the site will allow.

• Scotland

Campsites in Scotland were given the go-ahead to reopen after lockdown on 26 April 2021, when overnight stays in tourist accommodation were permitted. Toilets, showers and shared washing and cleaning facilities are all allowed to open

Unrestricted travel within Scotland and between Scotland and England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man is also allowed.

• Wales

Campsites in Wales are now open, with toilets, showers and other indoor shared facilities.

• Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, campsites and services for touring caravans, including shared facilities, were allowed to fully reopen from 24 May. 2021

What has been done to make campsites safe?

Rules designed to stop the spread of Covid-19 are still in place at some campsites

When campsites reopened after lockdown in summer 2020 there were some changes introduced to ensure the safety of campers and campsite workers. Group bookings were mostly ruled out for the time being, and social distancing measures were put in place, with pitches spaced further apart than usual on many sites and floor markings in public areas like the toilet blocks, shops, receptions and washing-up areas.

Some sites closed down their shared facilities altogether, but where they remained open additional cleaning regimes and other measures were put in place. These included frequent deep cleaning, staggered visiting times and restrictions on the number people entering the toilets and showers at a time.

Some campsites supply hand sanitising liquid at communal points such as water taps and playgrounds (if they are open). If the site doesn’t provide it, take your own and use it every time.

• Follow the guidance

Of course, camping lends itself to safe holidaying. Motorhomes, caravans and tents are self-contained and being in the open air means that as long as you keep your distance, the risk of infection should be low.

But no matter how many measures are introduced by the campsite owners, it’s down to individual campers to act responsibly and follow all the most up-to-date guidance on mixing with other groups, wearing face masks and hand washing.

Read more here about staying safe and healthy while you're camping

Travelling in Europe during coronavirus

Travel from the UK to the rest of Europe is largely unrestricted for most vaccinated people.

There are no restrictions from the UK authorities on taking foreign holidays in non red-list countries but you must check and follow the rules in the country you plan to visit.

Currently it is possible to travel to most countries if you are fully vaccinated and, for many destinations, unvaccinated people can travel from the UK if they present a negative Covid test or can show that they have recovered from the virus.

On your return journey to the UK, regardless of your vaccination status, you no longer need to take a Covid-19 test either before or after you arrive in the UK or fill in a passenger locator form.

What if I'm not fully vaccinated?

Covid-related restrictions for travel to all parts of the UK were lifted on 18 March 2022, whether you are vaccinated or not

What countries are on the red list?

The UK Government says you should not travel to countries on the red list. Currently there are no countries on the red list.

Travellers returning to the UK from any countries placed on the red list would have to go into quarantine in an approved hotel for up to 10 days and take two Covid tests.

Travel restrictions by country

Vist the Foreign Office website to find out the current travel rules for the major European destinations for motorhomers and campers.

If you are visiting another country it is important to be aware of the rules that have been put in place by the local authorities there.

Before you book or set off, it is important to know what the current entry requirements are for each of these countries for travellers coming from the UK – just because restrictions have been lifted by the UK government it doesn't automatically follow that the local authorities will allow unrestricted movement from England or other parts of the UK.

The Foreign And Commonwealth Office website details the most up-to-date entry rules for individual countries. but here is a summary of the current rules for the main European destinations for campers and motorhomers. Check before travel as the rules can change at short notice.

• AUSTRIA

Fully vaccinated travellers from the UK can visit Austria without going into quarantine, if they produce proof of a booster dose or a negative PCR test. If you’re not fully vaccinated and cannot prove recovery from Covid-19 in the past 180 days, you cannot enter Austria

• BELGIUM

Fully vaccinated travellers can visit Belgium if they complete the Belgian Passenger Locator Form, but don’t have to quarantine or take a test. Non-vaccinated people will only be allowed in with a recovery or negative test certificate.

• CROATIA

You will need proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test before travelling.

• CZECH REPUBLIC

If you are fully vaccinated - including a booster - you can visit without needing to isolate or take a pre-departure PCR test.

• DENMARK

Fully vaccinated UK residents can enter Denmark without the need to test or self-isolate. Non-vaccinated travellers must take tests on arrival and isolate for up to 10 days.

• FRANCE

Fully vaccinated travellers from the UK to France must show proof of vaccination and make a sworn statemewnt that they are not suffering any symptoms. For more information about travel to France, go to the French Embassy website. Non-vaccinated travellers must isolate for 10 days on arrival, provide contact details and have an essential reason for travel.

• GERMANY

You can visit  Germany from the UK for any reason if you are fully vaccinated. Travellers who are not fully vaccinated and do not meet one of the German government's exemptions are not allowed to enter Germany from the UK.

• GREECE

Fully vaccinated travellers and those who can show proof of recovery or a negative Covid test can visit Greece from the UK.

• ICELAND

You can enter Iceland from the UK for any reason regardless of vaccination status

• ITALY

You can travel to Italy from the UK if you are fully vaccinated, can present a negative test or can show that you have recovered from Covid in the last six months. If you are unable to meet any of these conditions, you must isolate for five days and test negative at the end of quarantine.

• LUXEMBOURG

UK nationals who are fully vaccinated, have recently recovered from Covid or have a negative PCR test can visit Luxembourg for any reason.

• NETHERLANDS

The UK is classed as a ‘very high risk country’ by the Netherlands government and fully-vaccinated UK nationals must also present a negative Covid test. Non-vaccinated travllers from the UK are not allowed to enter the Netherlands

• NORWAY

You can enter Norway from the UK for any reason regardless of vaccination status

• PORTUGAL

Fully vaccinated UK travellers can visit Portugal without the need for a test. Unvaccinated travellers must provide proof of a negative PCR/antigen test result or show that they have recovered from Covid.

• SPAIN

UK travellers to Spain over the age of 12 must present proof of vaccination or Covid recovery as well as completing a pre-travel declaration. Non-vaccinated people can only visit for essential reasons.

• SWEDEN

Fully vaccinated people can travel from the UK to Sweden for any reason. Non vaccinated travellers must produce a negative test result.

• SWITZERLAND

If you are fully vaccinated you can visit Switzerland from the UK. Unvaccinated children under the age of 18 are allowed to enter Switzerland if they are accompanied by fully vaccinated adults. Non vaccinated adults can only travel if they meet certain conditions.

Click here for more information about self-contained camping post lockdown