Travel guide to Spain, Portugal, Malta and other holiday hotspots

Foreign holidays are no longer banned, but organising a trip isn't straightforward.

Here are some of the things you need to know about visiting seven popular destinations - Malta, Spain, Portugal, Greece, France, Italy and Turkey.

Foreign holidays are legal, but under the traffic light system very few countries are on the green list of safe destinations.

From 04:00 on Wednesday 30 June - Malta, Spain's Balearic Islands, the Portuguese island of Madeira and a number of other destinations including some Caribbean islands will become green.

However, with the exception of Malta, all will be on the "green watchlist" - which means they are at risk of moving to the amber list.

The UK government says you should not holiday in amber and red countries. If you do, quarantine rules apply and there are Covid tests before and after you return.

Traffic light decisions are reviewed every three weeks. The number of Covid cases and vaccination rate are among factors considered.

Malta is being moved from the amber to the green list due to its low number of cases and high vaccination rates.

UK tourists can travel to Malta without quarantine on arrival as long as they:

If you arrive without these you may need to quarantine and pay a fine.

You should not travel to Malta if you have been in a country on its red list in the last 14 days.

From 04:00 on Wednesday 30 June, you must follow the green rules when you return to the UK.

Face coverings are still compulsory in public places for those aged three and over. On the beach, they are recommended but not mandatory.

Two-metre social distancing is encouraged.

The Balearic Islands - including Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera - are being added to the green watchlist.

But the rest of Spain - including the Canary Islands - remains on the amber list.

Travel to Spain

If travelling via Gibraltar, check the latest Foreign Office travel advice.

From 30 June, if you arrive from the Balearic Islands, follow the green list rules.

Follow amber list rules if you return to you return to the UK from mainland Spain or the Canary Islands.

What are the rules in Spain?

A nationwide state of emergency has ended, but local rules remain.

These include overnight curfews and limits on meeting inside homes or in public. Beach rules vary by region.

Across Spain:

Travel to Portugal

From 30 June the island of Madeira is going on the green watchlist. However, the rest of Portugal is on the amber list.

UK tourists can visit, but you must:

In Madeira you can show proof of two vaccinations, or recent recovery from Covid, instead of a negative test.

If you are returning from Madeira from 30 June, you should follow the green rules.

From all other parts of Portugal you must follow the amber rules. The government has a list of private clinics for Covid tests in Portugal.

What are the rules in Portugal?

Face coverings must be worn in public, but aren't required while sunbathing/swimming.

As of 25 June, Visit Portugal and the UK Foreign Office advise:

Accommodation must have a Covid plan. Multiple households can share.

Rules apply to sharing a hire car.

Travel to Greece

UK tourists are allowed, but you must complete a passenger locator form, which will give you a QR code.

Everyone aged over 12 must provide either:

You may have to take a rapid Covid test on arrival, with quarantine in a hotel for at least 10 days if positive. You may also have to self-isolate if other passengers on your flight/ferry test positive.

Follow the amber list rules when you return to the UK.

What are the rules in Greece?

National and local restrictions include:

Travel across mainland Greece and the islands of Lefkada, Evia and Salamina is allowed. Travel to other Greek islands requires a negative test (or proof of vaccination).

Discover Greece says:

Tourist accommodation must have Covid action plans.

Travel to France

The UK is currently on France's amber list.

If you are not fully-vaccinated, you will only be allowed entry for essential reasons - for example, you have French residency (and must complete a certificate of international travel) - and agree to seven days' self-isolation.

If you are fully-vaccinated, you will be allowed to enter if you provide:

Children under the age of 18 who are travelling with fully-vaccinated adults do not need to self-isolate or provide an essential reason for travel.

Follow the amber list rules when you return to the UK.

What are the rules in France?

Face coverings are no longer required in outdoor public spaces, with some exceptions including gatherings, queues, markets and stadiums.

But masks are still compulsory (for those aged 11 and over) in enclosed public spaces.

Travel to Italy

Until 30 July, travellers from the UK must self-isolate for five days when they arrive in Italy - and then take a Covid test.

Children under the age of six do not need to test but must still self-isolate.

You must:

The Italian embassy in London has more information.

Follow the amber list rules when you return to the UK.

What are the rules in Italy?

Covid restrictions are determined by a colour-coded regional system.

All areas are currently classed as white (the lowest level) - except for the Aosta Valley in the Alps where there are slightly tougher (yellow level) restrictions.

As of 25 June, in white areas, the UK Foreign Office and Italy's official tourism website advise:

Travel to Turkey

Visitors to Turkey must:

Follow the red list rules when you return to the UK - including paying for 10-days' quarantine in a hotel.

Direct flights from Turkey to England have resumed to designated terminals at Heathrow and Birmingham.

What are the rules in Turkey?

There are nationwide curfews until at least 1 July. Provinces are split into four tiers by Covid-19 risk from low to very high.

As of 25 June, the UK Foreign Office advises: