The Scottish government has announced it will follow Westminster's guidance on testing regarding international travel. 

Although Nicola Sturgeon initially seemed keen to keep pre-travel tests in place, it has now been confirmed that Scotland will maintain the same guidance as England. 

It means that fully vaccinated travellers heading to Scotland will no longer be required to take a pre-departure test from October 4. 

Here's what the new rules mean for travelling to and from Scotland...

What are the new rules for international travel in Scotland? 

The new travel rules mean that testing for inbound international travel to Scotland will be relaxed, depending on the country you are travelling from. 

The updated guidance from the Scottish government aligns with that of Westminster, and means that pre-departure tests for those who are fully-vaccinated and travelling from non-red listed countries will be scrapped from October 4. 

People who have received both jabs travelling from countries not on the red list will no longer be required to show evidence of a negative test before travel to Scotland. 

Details on the post arrival testing regime are still to be finalised by the UK government, however the rules in Scotland on this matter will again align. 

The traffic light system for international travel will come to an end on October 4; there will no longer be a green or amber list although a red list will remain. 

What happens if I am not fully vaccinated?

The new rules only apply to people who have had both doses of the Covid vaccine. 

Those who are not fully vaccinated, according to the UK government's guidance, will still be required to:

  • take a pre-departure COVID-19 test – to be taken in the 3 days before you travel 
  • book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 tests – to be taken after arrival 
  • complete your passenger locator form – any time in the 48 hours before you arrive 

What are the new rules regarding travel from red listed countries?

People travelling from red listed countries will still be required to pay to isolate in a specially designated isolation hotel. 

This applies to everyone, whether you are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated or not vaccinated.