With the summer holidays right around the corner, now is the perfect time for you to get prepared before your big vacation. Whether you’re going on a busy city break or escaping to a secluded beach, we share some important checks you should do to avoid any disappointments on your travels.

1) Check government advice

First thing’s first, you should always check the government’s advice before jetting off to your destination. GOV.UK provides you with advice, travel information, and the latest COVID-19 requirements, as well as travel warnings for every country in the world. Simply search for the country you’re visiting using the search box provided, then you’ll see all of the essential information you should know about that specific country before visiting. 

2) Do you need a visa? 

A travel visa is an official document of authorisation that grants foreigners access in and out of a particular country. There are many destinations, such as Brazil, China, and Australia, which require all UK travellers to obtain a visa-on-arrival. That said, EU countries like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein where you do not require a visa for short trips. You can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It’s worth noting that you may need a visa if you’d like to stay for longer, to study, or to work. Therefore, you make sure you do your research before booking any flights.

It's common for rules in each country to change at short notice, so it’s worth regularly checking the UK government’s travel advice, where you can find up-to-date information about visa requirements.

3) Ensure your passport is in date

It’s crucial you check that your passport is in date before you book any flights. You should do this at least two months before you plan to fly to your destination, that way you’ll have enough time to apply for a new one if necessary. Due to Brexit, there are new rules for travelling between EU Member States. You must ensure that your passport meets the following criteria:

• It’s valid for at least three months after you decide to leave the country
• That it’s no older than 10 years on the day you plan to travel to the EU

 4) Check COVID-19 test requirements

COVID-19 test requirements will vary depending on the country you’re visiting. Some countries expect you to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test before you’re allowed entry, and in most cases, it must be within 72 hours before departure. Be sure to book a COVID-19 test in the lead up to your holiday.

ADT Smart Home app 

The summer holidays can be a busy time for many households, especially for those who are preparing to go on holiday. The good news is that during this time period, ADT has you and your home fully covered. With our brilliant ADT Smart Home app, you receive instant notifications whenever motion is detected in home. You can even watch back recorded footage too. So wherever you are in the world, you get peace of mind knowing you can watch every move around your property.