The Portugese government has announced that UK tourists can enter Portugal from 17 May meaning holidays there can go ahead. While Portugal was placed onto the government’s green list, it was initially unknown if Portugal would allow people from the UK to enter.
Portugal will require tourists to show proof of a negative Covid test. So although the NHS app to prove your Covid vaccination status will be ready on 17 May in England, you’ll still need to take a test before flying.
Other popular tourist destinations such as Greece, Turkey, Spain and Cyprus are keen for British holidaymakers to return, but were not placed on the green list. The UK government discourages travel to amber and red rated countries.
There is a financial risk if you book holidays to amber or red countries for later in the summer, in the hope they will later be made green, so it’s best to be wary.
Additionally, while England and Scotland is permitting travel from 17 May, Wales isn’t advising it and instead is enouraging people in Wales to take domestic holidays.
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What is the traffic light system?
Countries have been assigned different colours based on a range of Covid-19 health metrics and these colours indicate not only the risk in each country, but also the tests and quarantine periods required. Find out which countries are on the green list.
Travellers returning from green list countries need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day two of their return, but there is no requirement to quarantine. Arrivals from amber countries need to quarantine at home for ten days, in addition to tests, while arrivals from red countries must quarantine for ten days in government managed hotel quarantine, which will add huge costs to the holiday.
These colour ratings could be changed by the government at any time, so a risk remains when booking to go anywhere. It’s unlikely for example that flights will stop running just because a country is rated red or amber, so you’d either have to travel or lose the cost of your flight.
Package holiday companies are not obliged to refund your holiday to an amber rated country, but some will refund or allow free changes. However, under the Package Travel Regulations if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also advises against travel there most will refund you. The exception is some online travel agents.
When booking, you should always find a company with flexible policies and who agree upfront in their terms to move your holiday for free if the holiday destination changes to amber or red.
Read more about the traffic light system in our Q&A.
Should I book a holiday to Portugal this summer?
Portugal is on the UK government’s green list, meaning you won’t need to quarantine on your return from a holiday there. Portugal has now agreed to permit people from the UK in for holidays from 17 May, so holidays can go ahead.
It’s said Brits must show a negative test to be allowed to enter – even if you are vaccinated.
If you do book , choose a package holiday, not a flight and hotel booked separately and choose a flexible, well-rated travel company.
Additionally, consider the costs of tests before booking. You still need several tests to visit and return from green list countries. Covid-19 tests for travel cost around anything from around £20 to £220 per person, depending on which test is required. The price of PCR tests are slowly coming down through some companies, such as Tui. See more on where you can get a covid test for travel and how much they cost.
Should I book a holiday to Spain this summer?
We wouldn’t recommend it. While there is no travel ban in place from 17 May, Spain is on the amber list and the government advises people do not travel to amber destinations for holidays.
Amber rated means you must quarantine at home for 10 days on return from Spain, plus take several tests. See our travel traffic light Q&A to see full requirements.
Additionally, Spain is not due to reopen to holidaymakers until June. Currently Brits can only fly there for health, education or work reasons.
If you book a holiday now to Spain for later in the summer and it’s still on the amber list when you travel, a package holiday provider will only have to refund you if the FCDO advises against travel to Spain. However, some companies will offer free date changes or refunds, so check in the terms before booking and find a flexible company.
Remember, if you’ve booked a flight separately, and the FCDO advises against travel to the country you’re travelling to, the flight will likely still run and you will not be entitled to a refund. The same applies if the country is red or amber at the time of the flight. Some airlines may let you move your flight for free, but it’s not a given. This could leave you in a position where you are forced to either travel without travel insurance, as this is invalid with an FCDO warning, and have to quarantine on your return, or cancel and lose your money.
Similarly, you do not have rights with a hotel-only booking. So if you book one, choose one with a free cancellation policy.
Should I book a holiday to Greece this summer?
Not yet. Greece has already dropped quarantine requirements for UK citizens provided you can present a negative Covid-19 test or prove you’ve had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine. However, Greece is also on the amber list.
Should I book a holiday to Cyprus for this summer?
Not yet. The Cypriot government hopes to welcome British nationals who can prove they’ve had two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine (at least seven days before travel) without the need for tests or quarantines. It also plans to permit Brits who aren’t vaccinated, but there will be added entry requirements. However, it is currently on the UK government’s amber list.
As above, it’s best to wait and see whether Cyprus is changed to a green list country.
Cyprus also has its own traffic light system. It rates countries according to its Covid-risk. This system does not apply to you if you’ve had both doses of the coronavirus vaccine. If you don’t end up having it in time for any reason, no airline and very few holiday companies will refund you.
However, if the UK is on Cyprus’ green list at the time of travel, you only need to fill out a passenger locator form anyway. If the UK is on their orange list, you could provide a negative Covid-19 test instead of being vaccinated.
Should I book a holiday to Turkey for this summer?
Not yet. Turkey is on the government’s red list. This means you must quarantine in a hotel on return from a trip there which costs £1750 for a single person. The government does not advise travel to red list countries.
If travel is permitted to Turkey later this year, it has said it may lift the requirement for UK travellers to provide a negative Covid-19 test on the way out.
The UK requires you to get tests on return, even if Turkey is later added to the green list. Read our piece on travel traffic lights for more details.
Vaccines and vaccine passports
England and Wales will use the NHS app to prove your vaccination status, but not test results yet. You can also ring the NHS to request paper proof.
This new feature on the NHS app will be ready to use in England on 17 May, but Wales will be several weeks behind. Regardless, Wales still advises Welsh residents not to go on holiday abroad.
The EU has announced a proposal for Digital Green Certificates. It’s not yet clear if these are available to those outside of the EU hoping to travel there. Read our Q&A on Digital Green Certificates.
Read more about whether you will need Covid-19 passports or vaccines to travel.
If I want to book a trip to Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal or Cyprus for 17 May or beyond, how can I protect myself financially?
If you do decide to risk it and book a trip, choose a package holiday with a reputable company, such as Jet2holidays, Trailfinders or any other Which? Recommended Provider.
A good package holiday company will refund you if the FCDO advises against travel at the time of your holiday. Avoid online travel agents as some won’t refund in this instance and check before booking.
You should also check a company’s policies to see if they will refund you in the instance your holiday destination is changed to an amber rated country.
For more advice on how to book a holiday safely, read our dos and don’ts. And make sure you choose a trusted holiday provider with flexible policies.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/05/book-holiday-spain-portugal-greece-cyprus-vaccinated-tourists/