Foreign Office shares essential travel checklist for anyone going on holiday this Easter

If you're one of millions of lucky families set to leave the UK behind for a sun-soaked getaway abroad over the Easter break, it's worth making sure you're well prepared for your trip.

While a holiday is a way for many of us to get away from the stress of modern life, running into an unexpected problem while abroad can quickly ruin the relaxation - so it's best to plan ahead to minimise the risk of anything going wrong. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has a handy checklist of how to prepare for a host of avoidable issues, from making sure your passport is valid to getting the right travel insurance.

Sharing the checklist on social media, the FCDO advised: "Heading abroad of Easter? It's worth preparing before you travel." Here are the five top tips that everyone should follow before heading to the airport.

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Read up on the latest advice for your destination

Before you go, it's worth visiting the FCDO's Foreign Travel Advice page to check for any important updates about your destination. With dedicated pages for every country in the world, this advice covers warnings and insurance, entry requirements, safety and security, health and how to get help when you're there.

To avoid being turned away at the airport before your holiday has even begun, read up on your destination's passport validity requirements and any additional documents you need. And for when you arrive, the safety and security page has advice on local crime - including what to watch out for, how best to protect yourself and your belongings, and what to do in the event of an emergency.

Get the right travel insurance

In advice echoed by Martin Lewis, the FCDO urges tourists to get travel insurance "as soon as you book" - this is because your insurance not only covers your trip in itself, but can also protect you in the event that you are not able to travel and have to cancel your holiday. It's also important to make sure you take out the right kind of travel insurance for your trip.

"If you do not have appropriate insurance before you travel, you could be liable for emergency expenses, including medical treatment, which may cost thousands of pounds," the FCDO warned. For example, if you break your leg in Spain and require hospital treatment and flights without any cover, this could cost you an eye-watering £15,000.

"Read the small print, and familiarise yourself with any exclusion clauses for the policy," the FCDO continued - it's important to make sure it covers any specific medical conditions you have, as well as extra activities such as adventure sports if these are on your holiday itinerary. "When you travel, make sure you take your insurance policy details with you, including the policy number and your insurer's emergency assistance telephone number."

It's also advised that you share your insurance policy details with people you're travelling with and friends or family at home, in case they need to contact your insurance company on your behalf. The FCDO has a full list of what to consider when getting your travel insurance here.

Check your passport and travel documents

The last thing you want is having to trudge back home from the airport with your suitcases because you weren't allowed to board your flight. This is unfortunately all too common among travellers who haven't checked their travel documents - including making sure their passport is in date.

Remember, for travel to most countries abroad your passport must not only be in date, but also must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter a country, and be valid for a certain period of time after your planned return date - this is often at least three or even six months after the date you're scheduled to arrive home.

For example, if you're planning to return home from a holiday to Spain on April 7, the expiry date on your passport must be July 7, 2024 or later - you can check the specific requirements for your destination on the FCDO website. Make sure your passport is signed and that the emergency contacts page is filled out too.

Some places also require additional documentation; if you're heading to Spain, for example, you may be asked to show that you have enough money for your stay and proof of accommodation. These requirements are common in the Schengen Area countries of Europe - wherever you're going, make sure you double check which documents you need before you go to the airport.

Make sure your health is covered

The FCDO also urges Brits to make sure they are well prepared when it comes to their health abroad, whether that means checking the rules on taking your medicine on holiday, checking whether you need any vaccinations or getting a GHIC card if you're travelling to an EU country.

On prescriptions, the NHS advises: "If you need prescribed medicine for your health condition, talk to your GP or practice nurse about your travel plans at least two months before your departure date. They can tell you if you need to make any special arrangements."

Each country has different rules on the types and quantities of medicine that they allow past the border, so it's worth reading up on FCDO advice and speaking to your GP if you have a prescription that needs to come with you. The NHS also suggests always carrying medicine and medical equipment in your hand luggage, in its original packaging, with a copy of your prescription - more advice can be found here.

If you're heading to an EU country, you may need to apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has expired. Both of these cards, when valid, entitle you to healthcare on the same basis as residents of that country - meaning any treatment you need may be free or require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay.

The GHIC replaced the EHIC for Brits when the UK left the EU, but if you have an EHIC that is still valid until it expires. You can apply for a new card up to nine months before your current card expires, and it's completely free - but beware that it's not a replacement for travel insurance. If you need a new card, apply on the NHS website here.

Prepare for the unexpected

And finally, no-one wants to think about things going wrong when they're on holiday, but the FCDO advises tourists to prepare for any event to minimise the risk of getting caught out on their trip. Here's their checklist:

• Have a back-up plan for accessing key information such as your accommodation details, flight details, passport details, contact numbers and insurance policy (for example, in case you lose your phone). Share it with friends or family or store online using a secure data storage platform

• Avoid getting in to financial difficulties abroad by ensuring you can access enough money to pay for unexpected costs or if your main payment method fails (for example, because you have lost your phone and cannot complete two-factor authentication)

• Make a note of how to contact the nearest British embassy, high commission, or consulate

• Read support for British nationals abroad for guidance on staying safe abroad, and the help the FCDO can provide

• Read about how the FCDO can help you if you are affected by a crisis abroad such as a large-scale terrorist attack, natural disaster, or political unrest

• Stay up to date before and during travel by following FCDO Travel Advice on Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for email alerts on GOV.UK.