Under new travel rules, residents of England will be able to travel to amber list countries for leisure from 19 July. Holidaymakers who are double vaccinated will not need to self isolate on their return but will still need to take a test before departing their destination and PCR test on or before day two of their return.
Children returning from green and amber list countries do not need to self-isolate either but will be subject to testing if they are aged 5 and over.
The change to amber list quarantine advice will only take effect in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are yet to announce whether they will follow suit.
Previously, you could only avoid quarantine on return to the UK by visiting a green list destination. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland currently have the same green list, although England also operates a green watchlist.
Green and amber list status only relates to quarantine and test requirements when returning to the UK – you still need to check entry requirements at the destination.
Some green list countries, such as Australia, don’t allow UK arrivals to enter for leisure purposes. Others, such as Malta, only allow entry for those who have been fully vaccinated.
Italy is an amber list country, which you could now visit under new government rules, however the entry requirements mean you’d have to isolate on arrival to Italy for five days. It’s best to check entry rules carefully before booking a holiday anywhere.
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What is the green watchlist?
Green watchlist status indicates the government may change that destination’s colour to amber or red at any time, rather than at the set traffic light review which takes place every three weeks – the next is expected on 15 July. That means there is increased risk to booking, unless you book with a provider that commits to refunds for traffic light changes.
Travellers from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland must quarantine for 10 days on return from an amber list country, as well as unvaccinated travellers or those who have only had one jab if you are returning to England. They will also need to fork out for tests.
In England, double-vaccinated residents don’t need to quarantine on their return from holiday. They still need to take tests though. One lateral flow test is required within 72 hours before leaving the amber list country and one on or before day two after returning home.
Arrivals from countries on the red list must quarantine for 10 days in government-managed hotels. This costs £1,750 for a single person. Countries on the red list include Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey. You should not travel to red list countries or territories for leisure purposes.
The 12 holiday best flexible booking policies – including those that cover you for green countries changing to amber
How does the government decide which countries go on the green, amber or red lists?
Destinations have been assigned to each list based on a range of Covid-19 health metrics, including vaccination numbers, infection rates and prevalence of variants.
The different traffic light colours indicate the risk in each destination and which tests and quarantine periods are required.
How frequently will countries change traffic light colours?
Similar to last year’s travel corridors, the government has confirmed countries will move in and out of different colours in the traffic light system.
To reduce the risk of disruption, this summer, the government plans to make changes to the green list every three weeks, instead of weekly. It was at one of these three week review dates that Portugal was downgraded from green to amber.
However, the government warned that destinations on the green or amber list could move to red, at any time.
If you’re in a destination when its traffic light status changes, you may want to pay for a flight to get home before the change takes place (with airfares likely to be very high). If the status changes to red you will have to fork out £1750 to quarantine in a hotel back home, so it might be cheaper to buy a new flight.
If a country’s status changes to amber and you’re not fully vaccinated you will either need to get a flight home early or quarantine for 10 days at home.
The government warns it won’t ‘hesitate to act immediately should data show countries’ risk ratings have changed’, meaning travellers could face disruption. However, with the new amber list rules set to kick in from 19 July, disruption will be eased for those who have been fully vaccinated.
Wherever you decide to holiday, you’ll need to factor in the cost of tests, as they’re required even for travel to and from green list countries. Although pricey, costs of tests are slowly coming down.
Which countries are on the green list?
From 30 June the following countries will be added to the green list: Anguilla, Antarctica/BAT, Antigua and Barbuda, the Balearic Islands, Barbados, Bermuda, British IO Territory, BVI, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Madeira, Malta, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands.
Read our green list – where can I go on holiday story for the full list and advice on booking.
Can I take a holiday to countries on the green list? What tests are needed?
If the country is accepting UK arrivals, yes. Spain will let UK residents in without vaccinations or tests. Others might not let in Brits (such as Australia), and some might let you in but only if you’re vaccinated, such as Malta.
For green list countries, you’ll need to take a pre-departure test as well as a PCR test on or before day two of your arrival back into the UK. These tests can cost hundreds of pounds. For green list countries, there’s no quarantine required on your return to the UK unless you test positive.
The country you are travelling to may also require a test, further adding to the cost. The EU has suggested those who have been vaccinated, and can provide evidence of this, may not need to take a test in future – but it’s recommendations don’t have to be followed by individual countries on the bloc.
English holidaymakers can now use the NHS app to prove their vaccination status in some countries, such as Greece. You can also access this online if you don’t have a smartphone, or request proof in letter form if you don’t have access to a computer or printer. Find out more about the NHS app, how to download and use it, plus the options for those residing in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Which countries are on the amber list?
Countries on the amber list include: Portugal, Cyprus, France, Spain (including the Canaries), Italy and Croatia among others. Read our amber list Q&A for more on how amber list travel works and your rights to a refund/rebooking.
Can I take a holiday to countries on the amber list? What tests are needed?
The government has changed its stance on leisure travel to amber list countries for residents of England – changes which will take effect from 19 July. You can take holidays to amber-rated countries and if you are double-jabbed you do not need to quarantine on your return to England. You will still need to test though. One lateral flow test will be required before you depart home and one PCR test on arrival back in the UK (on day 2 or before).
The requirement for a pre-departure test, plus a PCR test on day two and day eight and a 10-day quarantine will remain in place for those not inoculated or singly inoculated, as well as all travellers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Alternately, you can pay for an additional Test to Release on day five to end self-isolation early.
The government may spot check you to see if you’re isolating when you return home. You could face up to a £10,000 fine if you don’t quarantine.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland may follow suit and we will update this piece when further detail is announced.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice and amber list countries won’t always align. For example, the FCDO currently says it’s safe to travel to the Canary Islands, but the Canaries are on the amber list. If the FCDO advises against travel to a country, your insurance will in most cases be invalidated.
However, Which? is aware of one type of insurance, available through Biba’s 1,800 member brokers, that’ll insure you even if you travel against FCDO advice. It has not been assessed by Which? though as to whether it offers complete Covid cover. Find out more about good and bad insurance policies.
Which countries are on the red list?
Several places are on the list including the Maldives, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Turkey and India. See the full list on the government website.
Can I take a holiday to countries on the red list? What tests are needed?
You should not travel to red list countries for holidays. If you have to travel there, you’ll need to pay for a 10-day stay at a government-managed quarantine hotel on your return – that currently costs £1,750. You’ll also have to pay for pre-departure testing and PCR testing on day two and eight.
Should I book a holiday?
With the green list in place and changes incoming for amber list holidays for those vaccinated, it’s easier to plan a trip, but there are risks still involved. Jet2, Kuoni and Trailfinders are Which? Recommended Providers and all have good flexible booking policies.
You need to protect yourself in case the green or amber list country you’ve booked is later changed to red.
There could also be issues around delayed Covid-19 test results preventing travellers boarding their flights.
Additionally, with Covid cases on the rise in the UK, there may be a significant increase in the amount of people being told to self-isolate this summer. This could cause major issues for holidays. Despite now having the freedom to book more trips to amber list countries if vaccinated, hardly any holiday companies will refund you if you are pinged by NHS Test and Trace.
These risks can be reduced depending on how you book your break and who you book it with. Choose your holiday company carefully and prepare to be flexible. It’s often possible to move to different dates and even swap destinations if disruption does affect your travel, but not claim a refund. Find out more information on whether it’s safe to book a holiday and what to look out for when booking in our Q&A.
You should also try to find a good insurance provider that offers good Covid cover. Find out the best and worst travel insurance policies.
If you’ve already booked a holiday for this summer, find out more on whether it will go ahead or if you should cancel
Vaccination passports and entry restrictions
Several countries have indicated that they will allow vaccinated travellers entry for holidays without the need to take a Covid-19 test, while the UK government has confirmed it plans to drop quarantine requirements for travellers who have been double vaccinated later this summer.
Greece will permit entry to UK travellers who can prove they’ve been fully vaccinated and it accepts the NHS app or letter as proof of this (and Scotland’s and Wales’ equivalents).
The EU Commission has recommended that countries should permit entry to all vaccinated individuals (who have had both doses) from non-EU countries, as well as those travelling from countries with a low incidence of coronavirus. Countries on the low-risk list will be defined as those with 75 or less new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in the previous 14 days. The UK isn’t on this list.
Despite this recommendation, countries in the EU can set their own entry requirements and could ask to see negative tests if preferred.
In addition, children who are excluded from vaccination should be able to travel with their vaccinated parents if they have a negative PCR Covid-19 test taken no earlier than 72 hours before arrival. However, this could prove confusing. Each country has different rules on the age they expect children to be tested.
If you are planning to travel to a destination where proof of vaccination is required, you also need to check rules on what evidence is required. France, Greece and Madeira, for example, will accept the NHS app – Malta, which requires UK travellers to have been vaccinated, does not.
Will I need a vaccine passport to travel – full Q&A on what destinations are doing
Vaccination certificates on the NHS app
In England, the NHS app can be used as proof of vaccination status and is ready to use now. However, check the country will accept this as valid proof before travelling. 30 countries and territories currently accept the app or NHS letter. Additionally, some countries may still require proof of a negative test, check before booking.
English residents can also request proof online or in letter form by calling 119. Read everything you need to know about using the NHS app for travel from downloading it, to creating a QR code to proving your vaccination status.
Travellers will be responsible for making sure they have evidence of vaccination before travel. If for any reason you don’t, you’ll be liable for any additional test costs that are required.
Residents in Wales have been told that they will be able to access electronic vaccination certificates imminently. This won’t be available through the NHS app, instead you will have to access it through a website.
In the meantime, you can request a vaccination certificate, through your local health board in writing or by phone. If your travel is urgent and essential, and you can’t get a test in time, or quarantine to meet a country’s entry requirements, you can call 0300 303 5667 to request a vaccination certificate. However, it can take up to 10 working days for this to arrive.
Residents of Scotland can request a vaccine certificate from the NHS inform website. Alternatively, call 0808 196 8565 if you’re due to travel in the next three weeks.
Residents of Northern Ireland can’t currently use the app, nor is there a paper alternative yet. The paper alternative should be ready by mid-July.
If you plan to use your vaccination status to travel to amber list countries and avoid quarantining on your return, then you must show proof of this on your Passenger Locator Form which you fill out when returning to the UK.
How to use the NHS app for travel – how it works and when you need a physical certificate instead
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/07/travel-traffic-light-green-list-countries-where-holiday-abroad/