Your Rights as a Traveller

Who are Travellers and Gypsies?

Travelling communities have been part of British life for centuries. Romany Gypsies are recorded as arriving in England and Wales in the early 1500s, though some families trace their heritage back further still. Over generations, these communities have maintained distinct cultural traditions, histories and in some cases their own languages.

The term "Traveller" covers several different groups, each with their own background and customs:

• Romany Gypsies: people of English, Welsh or Scottish descent with Romany ancestry
• Scottish Travellers: a nomadic ethnic group known for strong musical traditions
• Irish Travellers: share a nomadic way of life with Scottish Travellers but have their own distinct heritage
• Showmen and circus families: people whose families have worked in travelling fairs and circuses for generations
• Roma: people who have moved to the UK from Central and Eastern Europe, often with deep Romany family roots
• New Travellers: people who have adopted a travelling lifestyle, some of whom may have Traveller or Gypsy ancestry

Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers are recognised as ethnic groups under UK equality law. This means they have specific legal protections against discrimination.

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Legal recognition and protection

Under the Equality Act 2010, Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers are protected from discrimination based on their ethnicity. This applies to areas such as employment, housing, education and access to goods and services.

If you belong to one of these recognised groups, it is unlawful for someone to treat you less favourably because of your ethnic background. This includes direct discrimination, where someone treats you worse than others, and indirect discrimination, where a rule or policy puts people from your community at a disadvantage without good reason.

Harassment and victimisation are also covered. If someone creates a hostile environment because of your ethnicity, or treats you badly because you have made a complaint about discrimination, you may have grounds for legal action.

Other Traveller groups, such as Showmen or New Travellers, do not currently have automatic recognition as ethnic minorities under the Equality Act. Whether protection applies depends on the specific circumstances of each case. For example, courts may consider factors like shared history, cultural traditions and how the group identifies itself. If you are unsure whether your situation is covered, it is worth seeking advice from a specialist organisation.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Common issues and your rights

Travellers and Gypsies can face discrimination in many areas of daily life. Some of the most common problems include difficulty accessing healthcare, education for children, finding lawful stopping places, and unfair treatment when looking for work or housing.

Schools must not refuse to admit a child because of their Traveller background. Local authorities have duties to support education for children who move frequently. Some areas have Traveller Education Services, though availability varies significantly between regions and depends on local policy decisions. Contact your local authority's education department to find out what support exists in your area.

In healthcare, you have the same right to register with a GP as anyone else. A lack of fixed address should not be used as a reason to refuse registration. If a practice turns you away, you can ask NHS England to help you find a GP.

Planning and accommodation issues can be more complex. Local authorities have responsibilities to assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers in their area. Contact your local council's planning department or housing team for detailed information specific to your area about authorised sites or planning permission for a private site. GOV.UK has guidance on planning policy for Traveller sites.

What to do if you face discrimination

If you believe you have been treated unfairly because of your Traveller or Gypsy identity, there are steps you can take. Start by keeping a record of what happened, including dates, what was said or done, and the names of anyone involved.

You can get initial advice from organisations such as Citizens Advice, the Equality Advisory Support Service, or Friends, Families and Travellers, a charity that works specifically with Travelling communities.

For formal complaints, you may be able to take your case to an employment tribunal, county court or ombudsman, depending on what happened. Time limits apply, so it is best to seek advice promptly.

If you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you can use our Rights Situation Checker to describe what happened and receive guidance on your options. The tool asks questions about your circumstances and suggests next steps based on your answers.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Rights Situation Checker lets you describe what has happened and find out which UK human rights protections apply and what you can do. Try it now →