Most of the UK’s favourite European summer destinations remain out of bounds under the British government’s Covid traffic light travel system. Here is a rundown of the entry rules from both sides for some familiar holiday hotspots.
Malta
What are the rules?
Malta is on the British green list, meaning the UK government says Britons are allowed to travel there. Before coming back travellers need to take a Covid test, and once back they need to take another.
Under Maltese rules, travellers from the UK are allowed to enter the country if they can show proof they have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine.
What about kids?
The rules apply to those aged 12 and above. Children aged 5-11 can travel to Malta if they are with their fully vaccinated parents or guardians, but must show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Children under five do not need to take a test.
Spain
What are the rules?
From the UK side, most of Spain remains off limits to British visitors, with only the Balearic islands on the UK government’s “green watchlist”, which means Britons can travel there but the islands may be moved at some point on to the amber list with the rest of the country.
The UK government says Britons should not go to amber-list countries. If you do go, you have to take a test before leaving, quarantine at home when you return to the UK, and then take two more tests.
Under Spanish rules, British travellers to mainland Spain and its islands are allowed to enter the country only if they can prove they have been fully vaccinated against the virus at least 14 days prior to arrival, or can show a negative PCR, TMA, LAMP or NEAR test.
Until this week, the Spanish government had planned to allow British tourists into the country without a PCR test, but concerns over what the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, termed “the negative evolution” of the Delta variant of the virus have prompted a rethink.
Masks need no longer be worn in outdoor spaces where social distancing can be maintained, but they remain compulsory in enclosed spaces.
What about kids?
Children under 12 do not need to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test.
GraphicPortugal
What are the rules?
Portugal and the Azores are on Britain’s amber list, but the archipelago of Madeira is on the green watchlist.
British visitors travelling to Portugal or the Azores would need to show a negative PCR test or antigen test and have to quarantine for two weeks on arrival if they are not fully vaccinated against Covid.
The rules, which will remain in place until at least 11 July, state that Britons arriving by land, air or sea must show evidence they are fully vaccinated or self-isolate for 14 days at “home or at a place indicated by health authorities”. Restrictions do not apply to visitors to Madeira.
What about kids?
Children under 12 are exempt from having to show a negative test.
France
What are the rules?
France is on the UK’s amber list.
French restrictions mandate that unless they are French or EU nationals or permanent residents, travellers from the UK who are not fully vaccinated would need an essential reason to enter the country, such as a family or medical emergency, or must work in a profession considered essential.
They will also need an international travel certificate, a sworn declaration that they are free of symptoms, and a negative PCR or antigen test, and must self-isolate for seven days.
Even fully vaccinated travellers from UK must also present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old or an antigen test less than 48 hours old.
Masks are obligatory in enclosed public spaces in France, but no longer needed outdoors except in crowded areas like street markets and sports venues.
What about kids?
The test restrictions do not apply to children aged under 11.
Italy
What are the rules?
Italy is on Britain’s amber list.
In June, Italy reimposed a five-day quarantine rule for people arriving in the country from the UK amid the rapidly spreading Delta variant in Britain. The rule, which also applies to people who were travelling in the UK within 14 days of their departure, is in place until 30 July, although that could be extended.
UK travellers to Italy must also provide evidence of a negative test for Covid-19 taken within 48 hours of their departure, regardless of whether they’ve been fully vaccinated. They also have to take a test at the end of their five-day quarantine period in Italy, and test negative before being released. Covid-19 tests in Italy are inexpensive, with the price of a rapid antigen test ranging between €15 (£13) and €22 and in some cases, such as at some airports and train stations, the test is free.
What about kids?
Children under six do not need to take a test but must quarantine.
Greece
What are the rules?
Greece is on the UK’s amber list.
As Greece prepares for tourist arrivals to increase in July, the government announced a new set of travel rules for its islands.
From Monday, regulations that more normally apply when boarding planes will be enforced on ships with travellers required to show either a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, negative PCR test conducted within a 72-hour period, proof of recovery from the virus or a rapid test conducted no more than 48 hours before departure.
What about kids?
Minors aged between 12 and 17 need only produce self-tests proving they are negative while children younger than 12 will be able to travel freely.
Cyprus
What are the rules?
Cyprus is on Britain’s amber list.
UK travellers going to Cyprus would need to take a PCR test less than 72 hours before departure and show proof of a negative result. Cypriot citizens and family members, and people legally resident in Cyprus, need only take a laboratory test on arrival and at their own expense. They then need to self-isolate until they receive a negative results. Visitors must complete a Cyprus flight pass before their journey, which includes uploading the results of their PCR tests. Those who have proof that they have been fully vaccinated do not need to take a PCR test before departure, but still need to obtain their flight pass. Fully vaccinated people will not need to quarantine in Cyprus, which is on the amber list.
What about kids?
Tests are not required for children under 12, but they still need a Cyprus flight pass.
Tunisia
What are the rules?
Tunisia is on the UK’s red list, which means the British government says Britons should not travel there. If you do go, you have to take a test before leaving, quarantine in a hotel when you get to the UK, and then take two more tests.
All travellers to Tunisia need to show a negative result from a PCR test taken less than 72 hours before travel, and are also required to self-isolate for seven days on arrival. But those who can show evidence that they have been fully vaccinated, or have tested positive for coronavirus at least six weeks before their departure date, are exempt from the requirements.
What about kids?
Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing.
Turkey
What are the rules?
Turkey is also on the UK’s red list.
On the Turkish side, passengers arriving in Turkey from the UK would need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within the 72 hours prior to arrival.
What about kids?
All passengers over the age of six must complete a traveller entry form at least four days before their arrival in Turkey. Children under six are exempt.