Packing list for the United Kingdom, insurance for the United Kingdom and taking your belongings

What to take to the United Kingdom: brief

To pack and check

• Documents and money: a valid passport is mandatory; an identity card is no longer sufficient for most travelers from Europe. Depending on your nationality, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or a visa. Check the current entry rules for your nationality before you leave. The United Kingdom uses the British pound (GBP). Debit cards and contactless payments are possible almost everywhere.
• Clothing: prepare for typical British weather. Sun, rain, and wind, all within a few hours. A layering system, a waterproof jacket, and a warm sweater are therefore the best choice, even in summer.
• Shoes: comfortable walking shoes or sneakers for city trips. If you are visiting national parks such as the Lake District, Snowdonia, or the Scottish Highlands, bring sturdy, waterproof hiking boots.
• Personal care and hygiene: sunscreen!
• Packing and protection: a rain cover for your backpack and a compact umbrella are almost as British as a cup of tea.
• Insects and animals: mosquito repellent is usually not necessary, unless you go camping in the summer or visit the Scottish Highlands. There, the famous Highland midges can be particularly annoying.
• Medicines and travel first-aid kit: a basic first-aid kit with plasters, blister plasters, painkillers, and personal medication. Blister plasters are almost indispensable for hiking holidays.
• Outdoors and handy items: a reusable water bottle, sunglasses, and a daypack. Tap water is safe to drink almost everywhere.
• Technology and equipment: a universal adapter for Type G sockets.

To consider

• Walking poles for mountain hikes in Scotland or Wales.
• Binoculars for bird watching or seals along the coast.
• A mosquito net or midge net for the head if you are traveling to the Scottish Highlands in the summer.
• An extra shopping bag; many shops charge for plastic bags.

Are there mosquitoes in the United Kingdom?

• Common mosquitoes occur during the summer months, especially around lakes, rivers, and marshlands. Fortunately, mosquito-borne diseases pose no risk to travelers.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in the United Kingdom?

• Sandflies do not pose a problem for travelers in the United Kingdom. In Scotland, however, Highland midges are notorious. These tiny stinging insects are not mosquitoes, but they can occur in large numbers and cause significant itching. They are particularly active on calm, damp days.
• They bite and can be very annoying. Good protection is therefore desirable.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in the United Kingdom?

• DEET, picaridine, and special products for Highland midges are available at pharmacies, supermarkets, and outdoor stores. Especially in Scotland, you will find many products developed specifically for midges.
• See also DEET anti-mosquito repellents and the percentages.

Can you buy a joint or weed in the United Kingdom, or bring it into the United Kingdom?

• Cannabis is illegal in the United Kingdom. Medical cannabis is available under strict conditions, but recreational use, sale, purchase, and import remain prohibited.
• Therefore, bringing cannabis into the UK is also prohibited and can lead to fines or criminal prosecution.