When we’re looking for our next destination, countries that the UK passport is visa-free in are always attractive options. Rather than checking our emails for weeks ahead of a trip in anticipation of a visa being greenlit (or, worst case, declined with no hope of a flight refund), it allows us to throw ourselves entirely into the pre-adventure excitement. British passport holders are among the most fortunate travellers in the world, with the majority of borders open either visa-free or via an ETA or an easy-to-obtain visa. On the flip side, there are a few countries that are much harder to enter – with a handful unlikely to grant entry at all. Here, we explain which countries are visa-free for UK passport holders, what visa-free travel means for them, and which destinations UK citizens cannot enter.

Note: Travel restrictions can change at short notice. This article is correct as of 12 August 2026.

Barbados' relaxed visa-free entry rules for UK passport holders may surprise some travellers

At the time of writing, UK passport holders can enter more than 180 countries either visa-free, with an ETA, or by obtaining a visa on arrival. Below is a list of countries that UK passport holders can enter entirely visa-free, with information sourced from Passport Index. The number of days beside each country indicates the maximum number of days British citizens are allowed to stay in that country without applying for a visa or further permission.

• Albania (90 days)
• Andorra (90 days)
• Angola (30 days)
• Antigua and Barbuda (180 days)
• Argentina (90 days)
• Armenia (180 days)
• Austria (90 days)
• Bahamas (240 days)
• Barbados (180 days)
• Belarus (30 days)
• Belgium (90 days)
• Belize (30 days)
• Bolivia visa-free (90 days)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina (90 days)
• Botswana (90 days)
• Brazil (90 days)
• Brunei (90 days)
• Bulgaria (90 days)
• Cape Verde (30 days)
• Chile (90 days)
• China (30 days)
• Colombia (90 days)
• Costa Rica (180 days)
• Croatia (90 days)
• Cyprus (90 days)
• Czech Republic (90 days)
• Denmark (90 days)
• Dominica (180 days)
• Dominican Republic (30 days)
• Ecuador (90 days)
• El Salvador (180 days)
• Estonia (90 days)
• Eswatini (30 days)
• Fiji (120 days)
• Finland (90 days)
• France (90 days)
• Gambia (90 days)
• Georgia (365 days)
• Germany (90 days)
• Greece (90 days)
• Grenada (90 days)
• Guatemala (90 days)
• Guyana (90 days)
• Haiti (90 days)
• Hong Kong (180 days)
• Hungary (90 days)
• Iceland (90 days)
• Ireland (Indefinitely)
• Italy (90 days)
• Jamaica (90 days)
• Japan (90 days)
• Kazakhstan (30 days)
• Kiribati (90 days)
• Kosovo (90 days)
• Kyrgyzstan (60 days)
• Latvia (90 days)
• Lesotho (90 days)
• Liechtenstein (90 days)
• Lithuania (90 days)
• Luxembourg (90 days)
• Macao (180 days)
• Malaysia (90 days)
• Malta (90 days)
• Marshall Islands (90 days)
• Mauritius (90 days)
• Mexico (180 days)
• Micronesia (30 days)
• Moldova (90 days)
• Monaco (90 days)
• Mongolia (30 days)
• Montenegro (90 days)
• Morocco (90 days)
• Netherlands (90 days)
• Nicaragua (90 days)
• North Macedonia (90 days)
• Norway (90 days)
• Palestinian Territories (90 days)
• Panama (90 days)
• Paraguay (90 days)
• Peru (180 days)
• Philippines (30 days)
• Poland (90 days)
• Portugal (90 days)
• Romania (90 days)
• Rwanda (30 days)
• Saint Lucia (42 days)
• San Marino (90 days)
• Sao Tome and Principe (15 days)
• Senegal (90 days)
• Serbia (90 days)
• Singapore (90 days)
• Slovakia (90 days)
• Slovenia (90 days)
• South Africa (90 days)
• South Korea (90 days)
• Spain (90 days)
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines (180 days)
• Suriname (90 days)
• Sweden (90 days)
• Switzerland (90 days)
• Taiwan (90 days)
• Thailand (60 days)
• Trinidad and Tobago (90 days)
• Tunisia (90 days)
• Türkiye (90 days)
• Ukraine (90 days)
• United Arab Emirates (90 days)
• Uruguay (90 days)
• Uzbekistan (30 days)
• Vanuatu (120 days)
• Vatican City (90 days)
• Venezuela (90 days)
• Vietnam (45 days)
• Zambia (90 days)

While the above is a comprehensive list of countries where the UK passport is visa-free, you must check the latest government advice for your destination at gov.uk. In some countries, it’s as easy as walking through airport security after checks such as the Entry-Exit System checks now in place in European Union countries. However, other countries, especially those in regions such as South Asia and the Caribbean, require you to provide information either before travel or upon arrival in the destination country. For instance, you can stay in the Dominican Republic for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism, but you must fill out an electronic entry and exit form (e-Ticket) online before travel. Similarly, Jamaica allows travellers to stay in the country, visa-free, for up to 90 days, but arrivals are required to complete the C5 immigration/customs declaration card before arrival.

UK passport holders are able to travel to Ireland and stay indefinitely without a visa

Visa-free travel allows UK passport holders to enter countries for short visits, most commonly for 30, 60 or 90 days, without the need to apply for a traditional visa, either online or by visiting an embassy.

However, while a destination may be visa-free, it doesn’t mean there are no restrictions on entering and leaving. Some destinations require a pre-travel digital authorisation, such as an ESTA or ETIAS, or travellers may be required to fill in an online or physical form with passenger information before arriving in the destination country.

By the end of 2026, British travellers may be required to obtain an ETIAS to visit countries including Italy

In the near future, UK passport holders travelling to more than 30 European countries will be required to obtain an ETIAS before arrival. ETIAS, an abbreviation for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, will be a compulsory step for visa-exempt nationals entering foreign countries. This means that the following countries will remain visa-free, but there will be additional admin ahead of travel.

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Norway
• Switzerland
• Andorra
• Monaco
• San Marino
• Vatican City

There is no country with an absolute ban on UK passport holders entering. However, there are several countries that British citizens will find it more difficult to access, and many more destinations on the UK Government’s ‘Do Not Travel’ list. If a country is on the Do Not Travel list, it is still possible to enter, but doing so can invalidate travel insurance and restrict access to emergency consular support.