All Brits travelling abroad from today face £200 fines unless carrying new travel declaration form

ALL Brits leaving the country from today must have a new travel declaration form or will face fines of £200.

They will also be banned from boarding their flight if not carrying the new documents.

The travel declaration forms were announced by Home Secretary Priti Patel earlier this year along with other travel restrictions.

Anyone leaving the country from today must have downloaded the form from the government website declaring why they are leaving this country and provide evidence of this, such as a letter or official document.

This must only be for essential travel, such as work, health or education reasons.

It also includes volunteer work, funerals and weddings or buying and letting property abroad.

Anyone trying to travel without one will be fined £200, and banned from boarding their flight.

Airlines and airport check in desks will be checking the forms to prevent anyone travelling abroad illegally, while police are performing spot checks to ensure the travel isn't non-essential.

There are some exceptions for the form - for example, if travelling within the UK, to Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man - or any travellers under the age of 18.

Holidays abroad are still banned in the UK lockdown, meaning a trip abroad for leisure purposes does not qualify.

Ms Patel previously said that anybody without a valid reason "will be directed to return home or face a fine".

She added: "Going on holiday is not a valid reason to travel."

She gave examples of "people turning up with skis" and also influencers "showing off" about their trips abroad, especially in Dubai, both of which will not be allowed.

Brits already face strict travel rules when leaving the UK, with the lockdown not allowing holidays abroad.

Anyone returning to the country must have three negative coronavirus tests - one before arriving, and two during the mandatory 10-day quarantine.

Anyone returning from one of 33 "high-risk" countries must pay £1,750 and quarantine for 10 days at a government-mandated hotel.