Can I visit Europe? The latest travel advice for summer holidays

Can I visit Europe? The latest travel advice for summer holidays 2021 - Getty
Can I visit Europe? The latest travel advice for summer holidays 2021 - Getty

The European Union have agreed to ease Covid-19 travel restrictions on non-EU visitors ahead of the summer tourist season. Quarantine-free travel will be possible for vaccinated tourists and visitors from countries deemed safe on the EU's 'white list,' with a 'vaccine passport' system likely to be used across the bloc.

However, EU member states have decided not to add the UK to the bloc’s ‘white list’ of countries, from which non-essential travel and holidays are allowed. Ambassadors have agreed in principle that it is too early to add the UK to the list amid growing concerns about the Indian variant. A surge in the variant in England concerns European governments, as the UK's case rate surpasses those on the continent.

German chancellor Angela Merkel on June 23 threatened to scupper hopes of foreign holidays in Europe this summer entirely, by demanding that EU countries introduce mandatory quarantine for travelling Britons. She urged countries to introduce the quarantine for vaccinated Britons just as the UK Government is finally preparing to relax its rules for returning inoculated holidaymakers.

This news follows the introduction of the 'traffic light' system to govern the resumption of international travel from the UK.

As part of the system countries are categorised as ‘green’, ‘amber’ and ‘red’ based on various criteria, including vaccination rates, infection rates and testing capacity. A country's classification dictates what rules travellers must follow when visiting, with compulsory testing for all categories.

Can I visit Europe right now?

It depends on where you want to go. Currently, the majority of Europe is on the 'amber list' and transport secretary Grant Shapps has said that Britons should not visit these destinations for a holiday and returning travellers face 10 days in self-isolation. It is however possible to visit 'green list' countries, including newly-added Malta, Madeira, the Balearic Islands, Iceland and Gibraltar without the need to enter quarantine, but you must still carry out compulsory testing.

Countries across Europe also have varying entry requirements – some are laxer than others, for example it is possible to visit Spain without the need for a PCR test, but anyone wanting to visit Germany must enter quarantine on their arrival as the UK is classified as 'high risk.'

How does the traffic light system work?

  1. Green
    Holidaymakers returning from green destinations will have to take a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of departure, and then pay for a PCR test on or before the second day of their return to the UK (even if fully vaccinated). They will not have to quarantine.

  2. Amber
    Holidaymakers returning from “amber” countries will have to self-isolate at home for 10 days. Amber travellers will also have to have a pre-departure test and book and pay for two PCR tests on days two and eight of their home quarantine. If they want to release quarantine early, they can pay for a PCR test on day five (but will still have to take the test on the eighth day, as well).

  3. Red
    British people returning from “red” countries have to quarantine for 10 days in government-approved hotels at a cost of £1,750 per person, with pre-departure tests followed by additional tests on days two and eight.

What is the criteria for the traffic light ratings?

The traffic light ratings are based on countries’ vaccination rates, the prevalence of Covid-19 (and especially variants), and their Covid-19 testing capability.

Which European countries are on the green list?

Only a very small number of European countries feature on the green list, which is made up of just 25 countries after. These include Malta, Madeira, the Balearic Islands, which join the likes of Iceland, Gibraltar and Israel and a handful of British overseas territories on the list.

You can see the list in full here.

malta - Getty
malta - Getty

Which countries are amber?

The vast majority of countries across the world are categorised as amber, including the UK’s top holiday destinations in Europe, such as Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Croatia and Portugal – this won't change at least until the next review, penciled in for mid-July.

You can see the list in full here.

Which countries will be red?

56 countries feature on the UK’s ‘red list’. These include India, South Africa, and the UAE, plus swathes of sub-Saharan Africa, the whole of South America, Nepal, Turkey, the Maldives, Eygpt, Afghanistan and recently added Uganda and Tunisia.

You can see the full list of red list countries, here.

What will changes be made to the 'green list'?

Following the decision to not add any countries to the green list at the start of June, the next update to the traffic light system is expected ahead of July 19.

You can review the key dates on the travel roadmap here.

Will I need a vaccine passport?

The EU has confirmed it will accept holidaymakers who can prove they have received two doses of a certified vaccine, or proof of a negative PCR test before arrival this summer – it is working on a bloc-wide certificate for travellers to use – a launched date of penciled in for July. The UK Government has launched its own version via the NHS app, which shows inoculation status and previous test results – it has been confirmed that European countries will accept this as part of their entry requirements.

What are cases like in Europe right now?

Cases have begun to fall across the continent, as unfortunately, the UK's case rate (106 per 100,000) surges. Here's a snapshot of how things currently stand:

  • Spain
    Seven-day case rate: 51.33; Total given second vaccination dose: 36.67%

  • Italy
    Seven-day case rate: 11.58; Total given second vaccination dose: 31.21%

  • Greece
    Seven-day case rate: 26.04; Total given second vaccination dose: 35.21%

  • France
    Seven-day case rate: 22.69; Total given second vaccination dose: 31. 27%

  • Germany
    Seven-day case rate: 6.77; Total given second vaccination dose: 37.67%