Covid: Countries that accept antigen tests from UK travellers

With foreign travel slowly but surely returning to full swing, more and more countries now accept rapid antigen tests from UK visitors.

Latest update: 01/10/2021

Countless businesses suffered tremendously since the start of COVID-19, the foreign travel industry among the worst of them. Due to the extremely contagious nature of SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, international travel had to be completely grounded for a while there.

With a slightly better understanding of the nature of the virus, heavy restrictions and preventive measures in place, essential travel was permitted. Then, as the number of global cases began to come down as a result of social distancing and safety measures, the traffic light system was introduced to facilitate safe travel. Now, with solid advances in vaccine distribution and consistent immunity retention, the new two-tier travel system will focus on travellers’ vaccination statuses (except when it comes to countries on the government’s ‘red list’).

Travel tests: PCR and antigen tests

However, much of the progress in the resumption of foreign travel was enabled through the stringent use of PCR testing.

While PCR tests still play a huge part in foreign travel and possibly will continue to for a while, many countries have begun to grant entry to UK visitors following negative antigen tests.

Read more: PCR tests vs Antigen Tests

Although rapid antigen tests (like the lateral flow tests) are not as accurate as the industry standard PCR tests, they are quicker and cheaper. Most countries that allow the use of antigen tests for entry require that the test be taken within a certain period before departure. Therefore, we strongly advise that you confirm the time using the government website links provided below.

There may also be other stipulations or conditions that must be met for antigen tests to be considered valid at the borders of certain nations.

Where can you visit using antigen tests?

The following are the countries that accept pre-travel antigen tests from UK travellers in PCR tests’ stead:

• Albania
• Andorra
• Austria
• Bahamas
• Belize
• Bulgaria
• Cape Verde
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Ecuador
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Italy
• Indonesia
• Jamaica
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Portugal
• Slovenia
• Switzerland
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Ukraine
• United States

Important: Even though we attempt to keep our travel guidance and information up to date, the swiftly evolving nature of foreign travel policies and entry requirements can (and do) change at any time. As such, the above list will be updated as soon as new information surfaces. We strongly recommend that if your destination is on this list, please confirm the information presented by referring to the government’s foreign travel advice. Furthermore, all the countries listed here are hyperlinked with their corresponding information pages on the government’s portal.

While we will attempt to update this article with real-time information, you can find information regarding countries not listed on VIVO Clinic’s travel portal.

Antigen tests for returning to the UK

Proof of negative COVID-19 test is a non-negotiable requirement for entering the UK. In a bid to make foreign travel easier, the use of the following tests are allowed when travelling to England:

• PCR Tests
• Antigen Tests
• LAMP Tests

Regardless of which test you choose, they must meet the minimum standards of at least 97% specificity and at least 80% sensitivity.

However, you must use PCR tests only when travelling to the UK from certain countries, like Spain and its islands.

The use of COVID-19 tests provided by the NHS is strictly not permitted to be used for foreign travel. However, you can purchase antigen test kits to take with you to your travel destination. You must use it 72 hours before your departure when you are returning to the UK.