What is FCDO travel advice?

Key takeaways

• The FCDO shares travel safety messages and supports British nationals abroad

• If you travel to a country against FCDO advice it usually invalidates your travel insurance

• FCDO travel advice can change quickly in response to events such as wildfires, extreme weather, civil unrest and other emergencies

• If you are abroad and need consular assistance, you can contact the FCDO 24/7 on +44 (0)20 7008 5000

What is the FCDO?  

The Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is the UK government department responsible for the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world. 

The FCDO provides support for British nationals abroad and shares travel safety messages before departure.  

As a FCDO Travel Aware partner, MoneySuperMarket works with the FCDO.

What travel advice does the FCDO give?  

FCDO Travel Advice provides impartial and up-to-date information and warnings about travel abroad, including:

• entry requirements

• safety and security

• health risks

• legal differences

• natural disasters and extreme weather

• terrorism and civil unrest

The FCDO can advise against travel to an entire country or specific areas within it, so it's important to check the advice for your particular destination and any places you plan to travel through.

Travel advice can also change quickly when circumstances develop.

For example, during summer 2026, wildfires have been a significant risk in parts of France and Spain. The current FCDO advice for France warns of a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October.

This highlights why it's important to check the latest FCDO advice before you travel, rather than relying on information you saw when you booked your holiday.

Find travel advice, entry requirements & visa information for a destination

Planning a trip? Select a country from the drop down to view AI-generated summaries based on official FCDO travel advice.

What should I do if the FCDO issues a travel warning before my trip? 

If FCDO Travel Advice changes after you've booked your trip, read the updated advice carefully before deciding whether to travel.

If the FCDO advises against all travel or all but essential travel to your destination, travelling could affect your travel insurance.

Your insurance will most likely be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice, although the exact position will depend on your policy.

As a first step, contact your tour operator or airline. They may offer you a refund or the option to switch dates or location. You may also be able to claim cancellation costs from your travel insurance, depending on your policy.

It is important to stay up to date on the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination. One way you can do this is to sign up for FCDO email alerts.

Will my travel insurance cover me if the FCDO changes their advice before my trip? 

It depends on your policy, but travel insurance often covers some of the cost of cancelling your trip if the FCDO changes their travel advice for your destination after you've booked.

Insurers will generally expect you to try and claim a refund from your airline, tour operator and other service providers first.

You must already have insurance in place to be covered, which is why it is always recommended to take out a policy as soon as you've booked rather than waiting until you're about to travel.

If you travel to a destination after the FCDO advises against it, your standard insurance policy probably won’t cover any claims, even if you booked before the warning was issued.

What should I do if I’m abroad and the FCDO issues a travel warning? 

If FCDO Travel Advice changes while you are away, it is important to thoroughly read the updated advice for your location and follow instructions from local authorities.

You should also contact your tour operator or airline to discuss your next steps and notify your insurer, as they can advise you on what your policy covers.

This can be particularly important during events such as wildfires, extreme weather, civil unrest or other major emergencies, where circumstances can change quickly.

For example, the FCDO currently warns of a high risk of wildfires in France during the summer months.

If you are travelling in an area affected by a wildfire, follow the advice of local authorities and check with your travel provider before travelling or moving around the area.

If you find yourself in an immediate emergency, contact the local emergency services first.

For consular assistance, you can contact the FCDO's 24/7 Consular Contact Centre on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

Will my travel insurance cover me if the FCDO changes their advice while I’m already abroad? 

Some insurance policies will continue to provide cover if FCDO Travel Advice changes while you are away. Some will not or will put limitations in place.

If FCDO Travel Advice changes while you're abroad, it is important to contact your travel insurance provider to check what your policy covers.

You should also check whether your policy covers natural disasters and other unexpected events. The FCDO recommends checking that your insurance covers your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

More information on what to check for when purchasing a travel insurance policy can be found on the FCDO Travel Aware campaign page.

Can I get help from the FCDO if something goes wrong while I’m abroad?   

Yes, the FCDO provides a range of support for British nationals whilst they’re abroad. Consular assistance is available to British nationals in a range of circumstances including but not limited to supporting those who have:

• lost their passport

• been a victim of crime

• been hospitalised

• been arrested

 In any given year, FCDO support around 20,000 to 25,000 British nationals and their families. A comprehensive overview of consular assistance can be found on GOV.UK.  

A full range of guidance is available on the support for British nationals abroad page.

The Consular Contact Centre is available 24/7 on +44 (0)20 7008 5000. You can also submit an enquiry online.

What is the Travel Aware campaign?  

The Travel Aware campaign aims to ensure British nationals have the best possible travel abroad and helps ensure they stay safe and understand risks in different countries.  

 The Travel Aware campaign page is a hub for useful travel safety information and resources including FCDO Travel Advice, the upcoming Entry/Exit system (EES), travel insurance and the FCDO’s youth safety campaign, Stick With Your Mates.  

✈️ Looking for travel insurance for a specific destination? Check out our travel insurance destination guide hub.