Full list of countries that want Brits back for holidays – rules and Covid rates

Countries including Greece, Spain and Portugal are gearing up to welcome Brits back for summer holidays.

When travel from the UK does resume it will operate under a ‘traffic light system’ with green, amber and red lists that determine quarantine and testing rules when you return to the UK.

The government has said it will reveal the lists in early May – but that hasn’t stopped a number of holiday hotspots readying to welcome back UK tourists if restrictions allow.

With the pandemic ongoing, countries have their own rules and requirements for visitors, such as needing to be fully vaccinated against Covid or showing proof of a negative Covid test result in order to visit.

We take a look at the countries planning to welcome Brits back for summer, their travel rules and also their Covid situation, as this will impact whether they do end up on the green, amber or red list.

Check out the full list below…

Spain

When are Brits welcome back? The country’s tourism minister, Fernando Valdes Verelst, has confirmed that Brits will be welcome back to Spain in June.

What are the travel rules? Spain hasn’t yet confirmed requirements for tourists, although it is looking at digital Covid passports which will allow visitors to prove they are fully vaccinated against Covid.

What’s the Covid situation? Cases are decreasing in Spain, which is reporting an average of 8,389 new infections each day. The country is estimated to have administered nearly 15million doses of the Covid vaccine. It could be a contender for the amber list, where Brits returning would need to self-isolate at home for 10 days when back in the UK.

Portugal

When are Brits welcome back? Portugal has previously revealed plans to reopen to Brits on May 17, the earliest date foreign travel could resume in the UK.

What are the travel rules? They’re not confirmed yet, but Brits make up a significant proportion of Portugal’s tourism market, so it’s likely tourists could visit without restrictions if they have evidence of being vaccinated, or showing proof of a negative PCR test.

What’s the Covid situation? Case numbers in Portugal are decreasing, with the country currently at around 4% of its peak with a daily average of 472 new infections. It’s estimated that over three million doses of the vaccine have been administered so far.

Greece

When are Brits welcome back? The country’s tourism minister Harry Theoharis said that Greece would be welcoming back tourists from May 14. However, he added that this would be dependent on the Covid situation at the time.

What are the travel rules? You won’t need to be fully vaccinated, but you will need to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken before travel.

What’s the Covid situation? Greece is currently experiencing a third wave of Covid cases with a daily average of 2,407 new infections. However the Greek islands are currently on a mission to vaccinate their populations in order to be able to welcome Brits back this summer. When travel corridors were in place, the UK government did allow some travel to the islands at the same time as advising against travel to the mainland, so it could be a similar scenario takes place, Covid cases depending.

Cyprus

When are Brits welcome back? Cyprus’ deputy tourism minister Savvas Perdios said that tourists – including Brits – will be welcome back from May 10.

What are the travel rules? You’ll need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid (with a ‘Digital Green Passport’), or a negative PCR test result that’s no older than three days.

What’s the Covid situation? Cyprus is currently experiencing a third wave of Covid cases, and is approximately at 92% of its peak. It’s estimated that over 236,000 doses of the Covid vaccine have been administered.

Turkey

When are Brits welcome back? Turkey recently lifted its flight ban for Brits, as it prepares to welcome back holidaymakers for summer.

What are the travel rules? It will welcome back travellers regardless of their vaccination status. However, all international travellers will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test result.

What’s the Covid situation? Turkey is preparing for its first full lockdown as cases are soaring, with a daily average of 43,490 new infections being reported. The lockdown is expected to last until May 17.

Malta

When are Brits welcome back? Malta is welcoming back Brits from June 1.

What are the travel rules? You’ll need to either be fully vaccinated against Covid (that’s having received both jabs at least…