Planning a honeymoon abroad

A honeymoon often comes straight after weeks of wedding planning. A few checks before you go can save trouble at the airport.

The name on your passport

GOV.UK says the name on your passport must match the name you use when you book your travel. So a couple who book in a new married name need passports in that name.

You can apply for a passport in your new name up to 3 months before the ceremony. HM Passport Office then cancels your old passport. Your new one is post-dated, so you cannot use it before the ceremony. You send a form for newly weds with your documents, and the religious minister or registrar who will conduct the ceremony signs it.

Some countries will not issue a visa in a post-dated passport. GOV.UK advises checking with that country's embassy or consulate.

How long your passport has left

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes the entry requirements for each country on GOV.UK. For Spain and the rest of the Schengen area, GOV.UK says your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive. Its expiry date must be at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave.

Travel advice for your destination

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office gives advice and warnings for each country, covering entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences. You can sign up for email updates on any country's page.

GOV.UK warns that travelling against the office's advice to avoid all travel, or all but essential travel, may invalidate your insurance.

Package holidays with a flight

The UK Civil Aviation Authority runs ATOL, the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme. ATOL protects you financially when you book a package trip that includes a flight. Your travel company gives you an ATOL Certificate as soon as you pay any money for the trip.

If the company fails while you are abroad, the authority helps you continue your trip. Depending on the circumstances, it arranges flights home. ATOL is separate from travel insurance. It does not cover a hotel booked on its own, without a flight. The authority's website has a search for checking that a company holds an ATOL.

Health cover and travel insurance

A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident. The card is free from the NHS. You can add your spouse or civil partner to your application, and each of you needs your own card. The NHS warns people to avoid unofficial websites that charge a fee to apply.

The NHS says the card does not replace travel insurance. GOV.UK suggests buying insurance as soon as possible after you book, and checking that the policy covers the whole trip and every activity you plan.

For travel vaccinations, the NHS suggests seeing a travel health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before you go.

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