Travelling from Mallorca to the UK – Covid-19 rules
On 16/9/2021, the final review of the current UK traffic light travel system was carried out by the UK Government, which took effect from 22/09/2021 and which left Mallorca, unchanged, on the Amber list. A simplified system came into force on 4/10/2021, with further changes being put in place from the end of October 2021.
Changes introduced from October
On 4th October 2021, the system for foreign travel became less complex. While the previous system distinguished between red, amber and green countries, the new system simply has a red list and “the rest of the world”. As was the case before, travel to countries on the red list is not recommended, and stringent measures will need to be adhered to by anyone returning from a red list country. The rules for travellers returning from any other country have been simplified for those who are fully vaccinated. Mallorca has never been on the red list and, as the case numbers on the island are low, this is unlikely to change any time soon.
Overview of the rules
To give you an overview of the previous, current and future travel rules for those returning from Mallorca, we have summarised the requirements in the tables below. Please note that some of the rules for travelling to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland may be different – please see the UK Government website for further information on this.
Adults (18 years and older) travelling from Mallorca to England
| Previous (before 4/10/2021) | From 4/10/2021 | From 24/10/2021 | |
| Fully vaccinated adults | • Passenger locator form • Pre-departure test • Day 2 PCR-test | • Passenger locator form • Day 2 PCR-test | • Passenger locator form • Day 2 lateral flow test (cheaper than PCR) |
| Not fully vaccinated adults | • Passenger locator form • Pre-departure test • Quarantine for 10 days • Day 2 PCR-test • Day 8 PCR-test • Test to release possible from day 5 | • Passenger locator form • Pre-departure test • Quarantine for 10 days • Day 2 PCR-test • Day 8 PCR-test • Test to release possible from day 5 | • Passenger locator form • Pre-departure test • Quarantine for 10 days • Day 2 PCR-test • Day 8 PCR-test • Test to release possible from day 5 |
For fully vaccinated adults, travelling from Mallorca to the UK has just become easier. From 4/10/2021, a pre-departure test is no longer required. From 24/10/2021, the PCR test that needs to be taken on or before day 2 after returning to the UK can be replaced by a lateral flow (antigen) test. This is of advantage, as a lateral flow is cheaper than a PCR test.
Children (under 18s) travelling from Mallorca to England
This applies to children who are resident in the UK or in an EU country (including Mallorca).
| Forms to complete | Testing | Quarantine | |
| Aged 4 and under | Passenger locator form (a child can be included on an adult’s form if they are staying at the same UK address) | No testing required | No quarantine required |
| 5 to 17-year-olds | Passenger locator form (a child can be included on an adult’s form if they are staying at the same UK address) | • No pre-departure test is needed • Day 2 test (currently PCR, from 24/10 lateral flow accepted) | No quarantine required |
Test to release – please note: Children of all ages must take the test if adults in their household are taking part in the scheme.
How and when do I need to fill in the Passenger Locator Form?
- This needs to be submitted online any time in the 48 hours prior to arrival in the UK.
- Any tests that are required have to be booked prior to completion of the passenger locator form, as the test reference numbers are needed for the form.
- To fill in the passenger locator form, follow this link and scroll down to the green “start now” button.
What is the pre-departure test?
- This test needs to be taken in Mallorca in preparation for your return journey.
- A PCR-test is recommended but LAMP- or antigen (lateral flow)- tests are also accepted.
- The test can be taken any time in the 3 days before the plane on which you will arrive in England departs.
- The test certificate needs to be in English, French or Spanish.
What is the day 2-test?
- This test needs to be taken on or before day 2, following your return to / arrival in the UK.
- The test has to be booked prior to filling in the passenger locator form, as the test reference number is required for completion of the form.
- Currently, this needs to be a PCR-test, which has to be ordered from a private provider.
- From 24/10/2021 a lateral flow test from a private provider (which is cheaper than a PCR) will be accepted for fully vaccinated travellers.
- NHS COVID-19 tests cannot be used for this purpose.
What is the day-8 test?
- This test needs to be taken, if applicable, on day 8 following your return to / arrival in the UK.
- The test has to be booked prior to filling in the passenger locator form, as the test reference number is required for completion of the form.
- This test is only required for those who are not fully vaccinated and needs to be a PCR-test.
- The test has to be ordered from a private provider.
- NHS COVID-19 tests cannot be used for this purpose.
Please also see the UK Government website for further information.
To prepare for your journey from the UK to Mallorca, please see our pages Covid-19: What you need to know when travelling via Palma Airport and Covid-19 mandatory documentation.
