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 rates are among factors considered.

Travel to Portugal

From 30 June the island of Madeira is going on England's green watchlist. The rest of Portugal remains on the amber list.

If you travel to mainland Portugal from the UK, you must now quarantine for 14 days unless you can show proof of being fully vaccinated. The second jab must have been at least 14 days before travel. The quarantine rule is in force until 11 July, subject to review "at any time".

Flying to any Portuguese destination (aged 13 and over), you must also:

You will also need to complete extra forms if going to Madeira/Porto Santo or the Azores.

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

In the Azores, you can show medical proof of having recently recovered from Covid or, from 1 July, hold an EU-issued Covid-19 digital green certificate, instead of a negative test. You also have to take extra Covid tests if staying for more than a week in the Azores.

If you are returning to England from Madeira from 30 June, you should follow the green rules. From all other parts of Portugal (including the Azores) you must follow the amber rules.

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.

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

Until 30 June, everyone aged five and above travelling from the UK must show evidence of a negative PCR test, dated within 72 hours before arrival.

From 30 June, only fully-vaccinated adults can travel to Malta from the UK. Travellers won't need a negative PCR test result but need proof of being fully-vaccinated. From 1 July, the UK Covid Pass (with a QR code) will be accepted.

Children aged 5-11 can travel with fully-vaccinated adults, but must show evidence of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. Under-fives will not need a test.

Children aged 12-17 will only be able to enter Malta if they are fully-vaccinated. The UK is not currently vaccinating this age group.

All travellers must complete a passenger locator and public health declaration form.

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

Returning to England from 30 June, you can follow the green rules. Until then, you must follow the amber rules.

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

There are no entry restrictions or Covid testing for UK arrivals to mainland Spain or the Canary Islands, unless you recently visited a "risk" country.

But the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that British tourists will have to present a negative Covid test result or proof of full-vaccination if they travel to the Balearic islands.

Speaking on Monday 28 June, Mr Sanchez said the new rules would come into force within 72 hours.

Heading back to the UK from 30 June, follow the green list rules from the Balearic Islands. Follow amber list rules if you return 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 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: