Escaping the drudgery of daily life with a getaway is pretty much always a good idea.
Whether you prefer sea, sand and sun, snowy ski slopes, adventure-friendly terrain or a simple city break, there are plenty of international destinations to choose from.
Especially since, as the world learns to ‘live with Covid’, more countries have reopened their borders, and made holidaying much more accessible to fully-vaccinated travellers.
If you’re feeling ready for a break, then how do you go about showing you’re all jabbed up?
Here’s how to prove your vaccination status when you travel.
How to prove you’ve had the Covid vaccine in England
In England, the easiest way to prove you’ve had your full course – and any relevant booster jabs – is by getting an NHS Covid Pass.
You can do this online via the NHS app, or by requesting your NHS Covid Pass as a printed letter.
In order to use the app, you’ll need to be 13 or older, and registered with a GP surgery in England or in the Isle of Man – and you’ll also need an NHS login too.
For this, you’ll need to provide details, potentially including your full name, date of birth, GP practice name and your NHS number.
There’s also an app-free digital option if you prefer, though the ease of the app might be handy for travelling if you have a smartphone – and you’ll still need an NHS login.
Going for this one? Give yourself some time to get your NHS login and app set up before you travel internationally.
Create the login at least two weeks before you need to access your NHS Covid Pass, as it can take some time for you to be fully registered.
Your vaccination record will show up automatically once your login is all sorted, and you’re fully logged in.
As for the physical NHS Covid Pass, you can get either a standard letter – or braille, large print or audio versions.
In order to be eligible for the letter, you’ll need to be aged 12 or over and have had either both of your initial vaccine doses OR the one Janssen dose at least five days prior – as well as meet other criteria.
If you’re unable to request your letter online, you can call the NHS on 119 to get sorted.
How do you use the NHS app when you’re at the airport?
Once you’re all set up with the app, it’s pretty easy to prove whether you’ve been vaccinated or not.
To show your status at the airport: open the app, select ‘Get your NHS COVID Pass’, select ‘continue’, select ‘Travel’, and then click on ‘show details’ under your name.
The QR code will then appear on your screen – hold it up to the official to scan.
Not got the app? You can get a QR code sent to your email, or simply show your printed letter to the official.
How to prove vaccine status if you’re from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland
Keep in mind: the above only applies to England – as things are done slightly differently elsewhere in the UK.
In Wales, you’ll also get an NHS Covid Pass, but you don’t use an app – it just appears online. Visit the gov.wales website here to get the pass, or call 0300 303 5667 for a paper version.
In Scotland, you’ll need to download the NHS Scotland Covid Status app, which you can do on nhsinform.scot. For paper copies, you can call their helpline 0808 196 8565.
And in Northern Ireland, you apply online for a Travel Covid Vaccination Certificate on nidirect.gov.uk.
Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man also have their own versions of the NHS Covid Pass or vaccine certificate, which you can learn more about on the respective government websites.
While many countries will accept the NHS Covid Pass and similar certificates mentioned above, it’s a good idea to check what your desired destination will accept.
Visit the FCO website for the latest travel advice. Specifically check the entry requirements to find out what they’ll accept in terms of proof, what they class as an ‘approved’ vaccine, and also how many jabs you’ll need to be considered ‘fully vaccinated’.
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