Travel information

Passports & visas

British citizens must have a full British passport to visit the countries in this programme, but no visas are required. If your passport is due to expire, please check the requirements of the country you are visiting - some nations (such as Morocco) will not allow you entry unless your passport is valid for a further 6 months. Entry requirements may change and you must check the up-to-date position in good time before departure. A British passport presently takes approximately 4 weeks to obtain (see the United Kingdom Passport Service's website: www.ips.gov.uk).

If you or any member of your party is 16 or over and do not yet have a passport, our recommendation is that you should apply for one at least 6 weeks before your holiday. The UK Passport Service has to confirm your identity before issuing your first passport and will ask you to attend an interview in order to do this.

If you or any member of your party is not a British citizen or holds a non British passport, you must check passport and visa requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country(ies) to or through which you are intending to travel.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office produces up-to-date travel information to help British travellers make informed decisions about travelling abroad. For further information, please visit: www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or telephone 0870 606 0290. Alternatively, contact ABTA's Travel Information Line on 0901 201 5050 (calls charged at 50 pence per minute).

Information on health is given on the Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk and in the booklet T7 (Health Advice for Travellers) available from your local Department of Health office and most Post Offices.

You can pick up an EHIC application pack at most Post Offices or call the EHIC Applications Line on 0845 606 2030. You can also apply online at: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers. A new application is also required if you change address. Telephone and postal applications can take up to 21 days. Please note that an EHIC should not be relied upon as a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance. The EHIC scheme is valid in all countries of the EU, and Switzerland also operates the same arrangement.

No reciprocal health agreement exists with Morocco, making it all the more important that you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in the case of illness or an accident. It is recommended that you are immunised against hepatitis A, typhoid, polio and tetanus before you travel to Morocco.