Overseas breaks resumed on May 17 when the UK’s blanket ban on non-essential was replaced with a ‘traffic light’ system, with countries rated ‘green’, ‘amber’ or ‘red’. Most European countries and territories are ’amber’, meaning Britons returning from these places have to self-isolate at home for up to 10 days and are subject to at least one extra PCR Covid-19 test.
Countries on the amber list currently include mainland Spain, mainland Portugal, Greece, Croatia and France. Scroll down for the full list of countries on the amber list.
Arrivals from amber list countries have to pay for at least two PCR tests (on days two and eight of their return), and can opt to pay for a third after five days of self-isolation under the ‘Test to Release’ scheme. They can cut their quarantine time short if this test comes back negative (although they are still required to take the day eight test).
However, there is fresh hope for amber-list holidays this summer. Fully vaccinated adults could be allowed to travel to amber countries without having to quarantine on return under the plans being drawn up by Department for Transport (DfT) officials.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that double vaccinations offer a “real opportunity” to open up travel.
Mr Johnson signalled a go-ahead for plans that will mean any fully vaccinated adult will be able to travel to amber list countries without having to self-isolate on their return to the UK. “Double jabs will be a liberator,” he said.
Ministers on the Cabinet’s Covid-O committee met on June 24 to discuss the double vaccination plans, which could come into effect in August. However, there is pressure from MPs and travel industry chiefs to introduce it on July 19, the proposed ‘freedom day’ for lifting domestic restrictions – further reports suggest quarantine-free from amber list countries by July 26. However, this is yet to be confirmed – an update is expected in the ‘next few days’.
It is expected that unvaccinated children will be allowed to travel with their fully jabbed parents without having to quarantine, although they too will be expected to take tests on their arrival back in the UK.
The DfT has thus far warned Britons not to visit places on the amber list – but some tour operators have opted to run holidays to amber destinations.
Here we answer the key questions on the amber list.
What is the ‘traffic light’ system?
A country’s vaccination rates, infection rates, the prevalence of variants of concern and its genomic sequencing capacity – or access to genomic sequencing – help to inform its ranking in the traffic light system. All people travelling to England must complete a passenger locator form before departure.
The ratings work thus:
- Green countries: no quarantine, but a pre-departure test before returning to England and post-arrival PCR test
- Amber countries: pre-departure test before returning to England, two post-arrival tests and self-isolation on for up to ten days on arrival back in England (with the option to use ‘Test to Release’, which into cut the time in self-isolation)
- Red countries: non-residents banned entirely, compulsory hotel quarantine on return (and testing) for returning residents (direct flights are banned from some red-listed destinations)
The lists will be reviewed regularly, with updates so far issued every three weeks.
What does ‘amber’ mean?
Currently, any travellers arriving in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland from amber countries are required to self-isolate at home for 10 days (potentially reduced with a paid-for ‘Test to release’ on day five for those returning to England) and to take PCR tests on (or before) day two and on day eight of isolation, as well as taking a test before returning (they will need to provide proof of a negative result, which can be a printed document or an email or text shown on your phone) and completing a passenger locator form.
The Government currently requires each of the tests taken in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland to be a PCR test, which can be costly. Prices are slowly being reduced and the Government launched an official comparison site.
The Foreign Office has recently updated its guidance for a number of countries. Travel insurance will be valid if travelling to a country to which the Foreign Office does not advise against travel.
When will these ratings be reviewed?
The lists are to be reviewed every three weeks following the end of the travel ban. The first review took place on June 3, the second on June 24. Further updates are expected on July 15 and August 5. Any changes that are announced on this date tend to come into effect early the following week.
Should I book a holiday to an ‘amber’ destination?
It would not be advisable to do so. The Government has issued guidance against travel to these destinations. Also, currently, you will be subject to up to 10 days of self-isolation on your return to the UK and extra PCR tests that you have to pay for. If you do plan a trip to an amber list destination then you should first check the Foreign Office advice.
If the Foreign Office advises against travel to that country then your travel insurance may not be valid. Meanwhile, if the Foreign Office does NOT advise against travel to the country then a tour operator would not be required to refund your trip should you no longer wish to travel due to self-isolation or testing requirements. In this case it might be best to postpone.
Which countries are amber?
These countries are among those rated amber (see the full list below):
Spain*
Cases per 100k over the previous seven days: 157.91 (all figures and information correct as of July 5)
Adult population who’ve received a second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine: 45.92%
Spain began to welcome back British holidaymakers from May 24; pre-arrival testing is required for all travellers who have not been fully vaccinated. Read the latest travel advice for Spain here. *The Balearic Islands moved to the green watchlist on June 30.
Portugal*
Cases per 100k: 148.3
Population with second dose: 42.92%
Mainland Portugal has imposed quarantine restrictions on unvaccinated British travellers as Europe tightens its borders against the threat of the Delta variant which has taken hold in the UK. Since June 28, any Briton who has not received both vaccination doses will have to isolate for 14 days on arrival in Portugal, the country has said. The rule does not apply to the island of Madeira, which has also confirmed it will allow entry to ‘Indian vaccine’ Britons, unlike the mainland and other EU nations. *The autonomous region of Madeira moved to the green watchlist on June 30.
Greece
Cases per 100k: 54.66
Population with second dose: 43.01%
UK travellers must provide evidence of a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Greece or proof of two Covid-19 vaccinations completed at least 14 days before travel. Those who can provide proof of either will be exempted from the need to self-isolate. Read the latest travel advice for Greece here.
France
Cases per 100k: 25.25
Population with second dose: 38.24%
There is fresh hope France could be promoted to the green list at the next update, however the UK is currently on the French amber list. If travelling to France from a country on the amber list, those who are not fully vaccinated will only be permitted to travel for essential reasons.
Travellers who are fully vaccinated do not need an essential reason to travel to France and do not need to self-isolate on arrival. Read the latest travel advice for France here.
Italy
Cases per 100k: 8.83
Population with second dose: 38.38%
From 21 June to 30 July, on arrival in Italy travellers who have been in the UK in the previous 14 days must self-isolate for 5 days, at the end of which they must take a rapid antigenic or molecular swab test for Covid-19 and test negative for release. Read the latest travel advice for Italy here.
A view of Florence
Croatia
Cases per 100k: 14.13
Population with second dose: 33.41%
Croatia is allowing entry to UK travellers for defined purposes, including tourism. Britons travelling to Croatia must meet one of the following criteria for entry:
- A negative PCR (taken within 72 hours before arrival at the border) or antigen test (taken within 48 hours of arrival).
- A vaccination certificate showing the final dose taken more than 14 days ago
- Proof of recovery from Covid more than 11 days and less than 180 days ago
- Proof of recovery and first dose of vaccination more than 11 days and less than 6 months ago.
- Pay for a test on arrival and remain in self-isolation until a negative result
Arrivals also need to show evidence of owning property in Croatia or that they have paid for tourist accommodation.
Though Croatia is open to British travellers, it is on the amber list
Cyprus
Cases per 100k: 307.37
Population with second dose: 36.88%
The UK entered Cyprus’ amber category on 29 April. Passengers coming from amber category countries are required to undergo a PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure and provide proof of a negative result.
Germany
Cases per 100k: 4.81
Population with second dose: 45.16%
In a positive step Germany has lifted its travel ban on passengers arriving from Britain from July 7. The UK will now move into the second-highest category of “high-incidence area”, meaning arrivals can avoid quarantine if they can prove that they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19. Read the latest travel advice for Germany here.
Austria
Cases per 100k: 5.47
Population with second dose: 44.04%
Entry to Austria from the UK is currently prohibited by Austrian law, with some exceptions.
Belgium
Cases per 100k: 42.15
Population with second dose: 42.76%
British nationals who are not resident in Belgium or another EU or Schengen country will only be permitted entry to Belgium for essential reasons. Those travelling will need to carry evidence of their reason for travel.
Bruges is off the cards for now
Credit: Nicolas Herrero Folley / EyeEm
Netherlands
Cases per 100k: 39.99
Population with second dose: 42.52%
Non-EU or EEA nationals (including UK travellers) are not permitted entry to the Netherlands for non-essential reasons.
USA
Cases per 100k: 24.95
Population with second dose: 58.84%
The US has lifted its blanket travel ban on the UK in a move that raised fresh hopes of a transatlantic travel corridor. The US Centers for Diseases Control moved the UK out of its level four category – which advises travellers against all travel –to level three, which allows certain non-essential travel such as for work or study. Read the latest US travel advice here.
The full ‘amber’ list, as of June 30
- Akrotiri and Dhekelia
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Comoros
- Congo
- Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic (Czechia)
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Polynesia
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece (including islands)
- Greenland
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- Madagascar
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Marshall Islands
- Martinique
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Naura
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- The Occupied Palestinian Territories
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Poland
- Portugal *The autonomous region of Madeira moved to the green watch list on June 30.
- Réunion
- Romania
- Russia
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- South Sudan
- Spain *The Balearic Islands moved to the green watch list on June 30.
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Maarten
- St Martin and St Barthélemy
- St Pierre and Miquelon
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United States (USA)
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
- Wallis and Futuna
- Western Sahara
- Yemen
Find out which countries are on the green list here, and which are on the red list here.