Celebrating Pride abroad?

Be aware of risks, look after your health, get appropriate vaccinations and take condoms with you, when you attend international Pride events

Whether you're lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) or straight, if you're celebrating Pride abroad in 2026, remember to protect yourself against infections spread during sex and close personal contact. These include gonorrhoea, HIV, syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as hepatitis A, hepatitis B and mpox (previously called "monkeypox").

Meeting new or casual sexual partners at international festivals is a common experience for many travellers. However, unprotected or condomless sex increases your risk of STIs. Always protect yourself by using condoms and making sure your vaccines are up to date.

Mpox, Shigella and drug-resistant gonorrhoea are three infections where travel-related cases are more common.

Cases of extensively antibiotic-resistant Shigella infections, often in gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), are being reported more frequently worldwide. Symptoms are similar to food poisoning.

An international mpox outbreak in 2022 spread to over 100 countries worldwide. Mpox cases are still being reported worldwide, including in the UK.

In the United Kingdom (UK), a rise in difficult-to-treat, antibiotic-resistant cases of gonorrhoea has been reported in travellers. Gonorrhoea is the second most commonly diagnosed STI in the UK. Most infections can still be treated successfully, but increasing antibiotic resistance means gonorrhoea could become an "untreatable" infection.

Advice for travellers

Before you travel

If you are celebrating Pride abroad, make sure you get comprehensive travel insurance.

If you are travelling to mainland Europe, apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This helps you access emergency state healthcare at a reduced rate and may provide free emergency care in some European countries.

Check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for all your destinations.

See our Country Information pages for health risks, prevention advice and vaccine recommendations for your destination. If appropriate, make an appointment with your practice nurse, pharmacist, sexual health clinic or other healthcare provider before you travel.

Make sure you are up to date with destination-specific travel vaccines and routine UK vaccines such as COVID-19, diphtheria, tetanus, polio and MMR/MMRV vaccines. Consider vaccines that protect against HPV, hepatitis A and hepatitis B, which can also be spread during sex.

Hepatitis A outbreaks have previously been linked to Pride events in mainland Europe. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines are available for GBMSM attending sexual health services.

A vaccine to help prevent gonorrhoea is now available in the UK for eligible people, including gay and bisexual men at higher risk of exposure.

Mpox vaccination is routinely offered through sexual health services in the UK for gay and bisexual men at higher risk of exposure.

If condomless sex is likely, discuss HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with a sexual health professional before travelling. If needed, make sure you have appropriate contraception.

While you are away

Follow good hygiene practices to protect yourself and others from respiratory infections. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands regularly and clean surfaces where appropriate.

Many infections spread through contaminated food and water. Be careful what you eat and drink and follow basic food hygiene rules.

Some infections, including hepatitis A and Shigella, can spread through contaminated food and water as well as direct contact with infected individuals, including sexual contact involving anal contact or exposure to faeces. Unlike hepatitis A, there is no vaccine for Shigella.

Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet, changing nappies and before preparing or eating food.

More information is available about preventing the sexual spread of hepatitis A and Shigella.

Always be aware of your risk of STIs. Carry and use condoms consistently and correctly with all new sexual partners.

Although mpox cases in the UK have reduced significantly since the 2022 outbreak peak, travel-associated cases are still reported. It remains important to understand the symptoms and how to reduce your risk of infection.

Mpox spreads through close person-to-person contact. Read more about how mpox is spread.

If diagnosed with mpox and advised to isolate, follow the UK guidance for people isolating at home with mpox.

When you return

If you become unwell with fever, flu-like illness, persistent or bloody diarrhoea, jaundice or any unusual symptoms, seek urgent medical advice and tell your healthcare provider that you recently travelled abroad.

If you have symptoms of an STI, or had unprotected sex while away, contact NHS 111 or visit a sexual health clinic. In the UK, STI testing and treatment are free and confidential.

If you develop a rash with blisters and are concerned about mpox, avoid close contact with others and contact a healthcare service before attending a clinic in person.