Website of the UK government

Going on holiday

If you have swine flu, do not travel until after your symptoms have stopped.

If you are going on holiday, take the same precautions that you do when at home. Know where you can get medical advice if you or your family feel unwell and make sure you have over-the-counter medication for coughs and sneezes.

Further travel advice will depend on your destination.

Travelling in the UK

If you are in England and think you may have swine flu, contact the National Pandemic Flu Service helpline on 0800 1 513 100 (textphone - 0800 1 513 200) or follow the link below.

If you are in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, follow the 'information around the UK' link below.

• National Pandemic Flu Service Opens new window

• Swine flu - information around the UK

Travelling to Europe

If you are travelling to Europe, make sure you have your free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to any necessary medical treatment, including for swine flu, during a visit to another European Economic Area country. 

You can get an EHIC application form from the Post Office, by calling 0845 606 2030 or by following the link below.

Whenever you go abroad, always check the latest travel advice from the Foreign Office.

• Apply for a European Health Insurance Card Opens new window

• FCO travel advice by country Opens new window

Travelling further afield

If you are looking for advice on how swine flu, or influenza A (H1N1), could affect your travel plans, you should:

• consult your usual healthcare provider for travel medical advice and further guidance if you have specific concerns
• check the Foreign Office travel advice for your destination country before travelling

You can access Foreign Office travel advice by country by following the link below or you can telephone 0845 850 2829 for the same information. The telephone line is open 24 hours a day.

• FCO travel advice by country Opens new window

Swine flu advice for Hajj pilgrims

The Saudi government has issued swine flu advice for people considering the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages this year.

The elderly, pregnant women, the chronically ill and children are advised not to take part this year.

You will also need to prove that you have been vaccinated against seasonal flu before applying for a visa.

• Swine flu advice for Hajj pilgrims

Will I be allowed to fly?

It is up to individual airlines to decide if they let a person with flu-like symptoms to fly. Several airlines are refusing to let people with symptoms of flu to travel.

If you are prevented from boarding a flight when trying to return home from abroad you can seek Consular advice from your nearest Diplomatic mission.

If you need Consular advice or assistance, call 020 7008 1500 (+44 20 7008 1500 from abroad). This line is open 24 hours a day.

Claiming on your travel Insurance

Travel insurers who are members of the Association of British Insurers will accept the unique ID number generated by the National Flu Service, together with the label on your anti-flu drugs which states your name and date of issue, as proof of diagnosis to validate a travel insurance cancellation claim.

If you use the National Pandemic Flu Service to get anti-flu medication and need to make a travel insurance cancellation claim, make sure you keep all the original documentation you receive, including the label from their medication, as insurers will need it to validate the claim.

• Travel insurance

• National Pandemic Flu Service Opens new window

If you have returned from a country affected by swine flu

Go to NHS Choices for health advice on swine flu, including the latest advice on symptoms, prevention, treatment and causes

• Swine flu - NHS Choices Opens new window

If you have recently visited one of the countries or areas where human cases of influenza have been identified, it is important for you to monitor your health closely for seven days after your visit to the affected area.

There is no need for you to isolate yourself from other people as long as you remain well.

Developing symptoms

If during this period you develop a feverish illness accompanied by:

• sore throat
• headache
• muscle aches

check your symptoms on the National Pandemic Flu Service by following the link below or call 0800 1 513 100 (textphone - 0800 1 513 200).

Make sure that you tell those from whom you are seeking advice about your recent travel to an area affected. Depending on your symptoms you may be advised that further investigations may be necessary.

For more information, see the page on prevention and treatment of swine flu.

• National Pandemic Flu Service Opens new window

• Swine flu information from NHS Choices Opens new window

• Swine flu - treatment and prevention

British nationals overseas

The Foreign Office has provided a dedicated free phone number for all British nationals overseas to call if they are concerned about the current swine flu outbreak 0044 207 928 1010. You can also keep up-to-date with the latest advice for British nationals overseas on the Foreign Office website.

• FCO swine flu advice latest Opens new window

Advice for businesses

Follow the link below for information on how to prepare your business for swine flu.

• Swine flu - advice from Business Link Opens new window

Swine flu - latest news

Latest information, statements and news about the swine flu outbreak.

• Swine flu - everything you need to know