nhs covid vaccine travel pass

Mon 29 Apr 2024

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How to get the NHS Covid pass: How to prove you are fully vaccinated for travel and events with NHS app

If you're aged 16 or over, you can get an nhs covid pass depending on your vaccination status or covid-19 test results.

People in England who have had a full course of the Covid-19 vaccine can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel.

It is recommended you register and use this service at least two weeks before you are due to travel.

The changing requirements for travellers mean fully vaccinated Britons will be able to travel to more than 140 countries on the amber list without quarantining on their return.

Here’s what you need to know about how to get the NHS Covid pass.

How can I get the NHS Covid pass?

People can prove their vaccination status through the NHS Covid Pass service:

• in the  NHS App
• through the  NHS website  
• with a paper letter

People need to register with NHS login for the digital services. NHS login registrations may take longer than usual when there are high numbers of requests.

If people cannot access online services, and they are due to travel abroad in the near future, they can call 119 to request a letter that will provide evidence of their vaccination status.

If you’re aged 16 or over, you can get an NHS Covid Pass depending on your vaccination status or Covid-19 test results.

In order to get the pass, you need two doses of the Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine, or one dose of the Janssen vaccine, a negative PCR test or rapid lateral flow test within the past 48 hours, and a positive PCR test within the past 6 months.

You can get a pass two weeks after your second vaccine, as soon as you get your negative PCR/lateral flow test result, or after you’ve finished self-isolating and up to 180 days after taking the positive PCR test.

It is recommended that you get the digital Covid Pass rather than the paper version, as you will be able to show this on your phone, tablet or laptop. 

However, people in Wales cannot currently use the NHS App to access their NHS Covid Pass and vaccination status.

You can get an NHS Covid Pass letter sent to you in the post; this shows you’ve been vaccinated against Covid-19, but it does not show Covid-19 test results.

You can ask for a letter 2 weeks after having your 2nd dose of the vaccine, or 2 weeks after a single-dose Janssen vaccine. You should get it within 5 working days.

You do not need to be registered with a GP surgery or have an NHS login for this.

You can get a letter by:

• requesting a Covid Pass letter online
• calling 119 – do not call 119 if you’re travelling in more than 4 weeks’ time

It is also known as a Covid-19 post vaccination letter. The paper version does not have an expiry date.

In Scotland, you can request a printed copy of your vaccination status online or by phoning the Covid-19 Status Helpline.

Or you can view and request to print your vaccination status online by logging in using your unique username and password.

What do the new rules mean for fully vaccinated travellers?

The changes mean fully vaccinated Britons will be able to travel to more than 140 countries on the amber list without quarantine on their return. 

Instead, holidaymakers will have to take PCR tests on day two of their return.

Children will be exempt from quarantine even though they are not vaccinated, but will also tests on day two of their return.

Mr Shapps told travel industry chiefs: “Day two testing will remain for arrivals from amber countries, regardless of vaccinated status, as this provides genomic sequencing capability to identify the risk of importing variants.”

PCR tests for holidaymakers returning from quarantine-free green list countries will also remain in place until at least 31 July, when the traffic light travel system will be reviewed for a second time.

Those who have not had both jabs will still have to quarantine when they return from an amber list country, or face a fine of up to £10,000.

Most Read By Subscribers

Check your COVID-19 vaccine record

Use this service to see:

• when you had a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination
• which vaccine you had
• where you had it

You can also report any side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine

Before you start

You can use this service if you:

• have had a COVID-19 vaccination in England
• are not part of a vaccine trial
• are aged 16 or over
• have an NHS login

What is NHS login?

NHS login lets you access a variety of digital health and care websites and apps with just one email address and password.

If you do not already have an NHS login, you can set one up now.

By using this service you are agreeing to our terms of use and privacy policy .

COVID-19 services

Get information about NHS COVID-19 services such as vaccination services, testing, research and 119.

COVID-19 testing

Find out about testing for COVID-19, including who can get free tests

COVID-19 vaccination services

Find out about reporting vaccinations received abroad and choosing whether to be invited for future vaccination

Take part in research

Find out about health research studies and how you may be able to take part

When to call 119

Find out when you should call 119 and what help you can get

More information about COVID-19

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Get your NHS COVID Pass

The NHS COVID Pass service has now closed.

• Protect yourself and others from coronavirus (Sub-topic) and
• Vaccine: coronavirus (Sub-topic)

There are no longer any domestic requirements to demonstrate your vaccination status. 

The NHS COVID Pass is no longer required to travel abroad to any countries. If you are travelling abroad you should review travel entry requirements for the countries you will visit or travel through. 

The NHS COVID Pass was developed at the height of the pandemic to let you share your COVID-19 vaccination status in a secure way. It was mainly used for international travel, as well as for some domestic purposes, such as entry to venues or events.

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NHS reminds those eligible to get Covid jab with over 700,000 booked in first week

• Coronavirus
• Vaccination

More than 700,000 eligible individuals have booked an appointment to get their spring Covid-19 vaccine since the National Booking System opened on Monday (15   April).

The NHS is encouraging everyone eligible to book a slot to get vaccinated as soon as possible via the NHS website, on the NHS App or by ringing 119 free of charge.

Following JCVI advice, this year those eligible include those aged 75 and over by 30 June 2024, older adult care home residents, and immunosuppressed individuals aged six months and over.

Eligibility for a spring vaccination is similar to previous years but those with a weakened immune system are now eligible from six months old instead of five years.

Thousands of appointments are available every day across the country until the end of June, with most happening at pharmacies and GP practices. As well as booked appointments, some sites offer walk-ins with a full list of local locations available on the NHS walk-in finder .

This week, vaccinations began in older adult care homes and for eligible housebound patients, with wider appointments starting from next Monday (22 April).

As of Thursday evening (18 April), over 3,400 adult care homes had already been visited, delivering over 48,400 vaccinations. An additional 6,400 vaccinations had been delivered to care home residents in other locations, such as their GP practice.

The NHS is contacting everyone who is eligible via text, email, or letter but people do not need to wait for an invite to book.

Covid-19 can still be very dangerous and even life-threatening, particularly for older people and those with a weakened immune system. The vaccine gives good protection and helps reduce the risk of serious illness or death, needing to go to hospital, catching and spreading the virus, and protects against different variants.

UKHSA surveillance data on last year’s spring Covid-19 vaccination programme showed that those who received a vaccine were up to 50% less likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 for three to four months after vaccination, compared to those who did not receive one.

The NHS is also encouraging those eligible to get the shingles vaccine, which is recommended for all adults turning 65 from 1 September 2023, those aged 70 to 79, and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system. Anyone eligible should be contacted by their GP surgery to book an appointment.

Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said:  “Since this spring’s NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme kicked off on Monday, we have already seen visits to over 3,400 older adult care homes and 700,000 of those eligible booking appointments online to get that all important jab.

“Protection against Covid-19 reduces over time which is why it is so important to get this top-up if you are in one of the most at-risk groups, with data from last year showing those who received the spring jab were up to 50% less likely to be admitted to hospital for three to four months afterwards.

“With appointments available from next Monday, I would encourage anyone yet to book to visit the NHS website, the NHS App or call 119 – and a reminder if you are eligible, you do not need to wait to receive your invite to book.”

  Dr Mary Ramsay, Director of Immunisations at UK Health Security Agency, said:  “It’s good to see many thousands have already booked in to get their spring COVID-19 vaccine since the bookings opened this week.

“COVID-19 is still causing hospitalisations and severe illness particularly among those most at risk. I urge all those aged 75 and over and those who have a weakened immune system, to book as soon as possible – ensuring they top up their immunity to give them the best possible protection.”

Health Minister Maria Caulfield said: “I thank everyone who has come forward to get their Covid booster jab.

“The vaccine offers the best protection against the virus for the most vulnerable.

“I strongly encourage anyone eligible to take advantage of the thousands of free appointments available across England and get their jab.”

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• Vaccinations for COVID-19

What your NHS COVID Pass letter tells you (easy read)

Easy-read version of the non-personal information in your NHS COVID Pass letter about your COVID-19 status.

This publication was withdrawn on 27 March 2024

This guidance was withdrawn on 8 December 2023 

The NHS COVID Pass service has now closed. There are no longer any domestic requirements to demonstrate your vaccination status in England. 

The NHS COVID Pass is no longer required to travel abroad to any countries. 

If you are travelling abroad, you should review  travel entry requirements  for the countries you will visit or travel through. 

The NHS COVID Pass was developed at the height of the pandemic to let you share your COVID-19 vaccination status in a secure way. It was mainly used for international travel, as well as for some domestic purposes, such as entry to venues or events. 

See information about COVID certificates in  Guernsey ,  Jersey  and the  Isle of Man .

Applies to England

What your nhs covid pass letter for travel tells you (easy read).

PDF , 2.36 MB , 6 pages

Your NHS COVID Pass letter is used for travel abroad and to show others that you have had a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine (including a booster vaccination if you have received one).

You should get the letter within 7 working days of requesting one.

If you do not have access to a smartphone, computer or tablet, you can request a letter by calling 119 from within the UK. Select the ‘NHS COVID Pass service’ and ask for an NHS COVID Pass letter to be posted to you.

Find out more about using your NHS COVID Pass for travel abroad .

Updated information about the NHS COVID Pass letter.

Added easy-read version of 'What your NHS COVID Pass letter for domestic use tells you'.

Updated to include information about single dose and 2-dose letters.

Changing title of guidance to reflect that from 21 June 2021, the NHS service to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status is now called the NHS COVID Pass.

First published.

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