The latest government travel review has reshuffled the deck as vacationers struggle to match a destination with their vaccination status and enjoy a break that doesn’t require isolation.
At the traffic light review on Wednesday afternoon, Secretary of Transportation Grant Shapps announced 10 changes, all of which will come into effect on Monday, July 19 at 4 a.m.
However, only five of these relate to holiday destinations that British holidaymakers can go to on vacation.
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This time there were two positive changes; Bulgaria is switching from amber to the green list and Croatia is upgraded from the yellow list to the green list.
As a blow to unvaccinated travelers, the Balearic Islands are to be downgraded from green to amber, as is the British Virgin Islands.
Cuba will be completely closed to British vacationers if it moves to the Red List. Anti-government protests and riots are sweeping the streets of the communist Caribbean island, where Covid cases and deaths have skyrocketed while medical resources have become scarce.
Options starting July 19th
The update leaves a wide range of travel destinations available to fully vaccinated vacationers, especially since quarantine for amber travel destinations will not be required as of July 19. However, there are far fewer options for unvaccinated – and typically younger – travelers.
Following the latest update, we’ve put together the complete list of vacation destinations you can travel to right now.
And since entry requirements vary, we’ve also broken these destinations down into those that require visitors to be fully vaccinated and those that only allow travelers with a negative test and / or other antibody test.
If we have indicated that no vaccination is required, proof of vaccination may still be an advantage. While unvaccinated travelers can enjoy a vacation to any of these destinations, a vaccination certificate can help those who had both vaccinations avoid costly testing or short-term quarantine.
Green and green watchlist targets
Visitors to Green List countries are required to have a pre-departure test during their holiday prior to their return to the UK and a PCR test on or before the second day of their arrival in the UK. There is no obligation to self-isolate. For travel destinations that do not require proof of vaccination, you will likely need to show a negative Covid test or antibody detection. Check the individual destination requirements via the Travel advice from the Federal Foreign Office (FCDO).
No proof of vaccination required
- Antigua
- Barbados (there is a five day quarantine with mandatory testing)
- Bulgaria (The Foreign Office is currently advising against all non-essential travel, although a spokesman said that “further changes in other countries on the yellow and green lists can be made before July 19”)
- Croatia (The Foreign Office is currently advising against all non-essential travel, although a spokesman said that “further changes in other countries on the yellow and green lists can be made before July 19”)
- Gibraltar
- jersey
- Madeira (Portugal)
- Turks and Caicos Islands
Proof of complete vaccination is mandatory
- Grenada (NHS Covid passport or letter accepted). Children under the age of 13 traveling with fully vaccinated relatives will be treated as fully vaccinated.
- Iceland (NHS Covid passport or letter accepted). Children born in 2005 or later traveling with fully vaccinated parents who are exempt from quarantine and testing.
- Malta (NHS Covid passport or letter accepted). Children aged five to 11 are exempt from quarantine if they are traveling with fully vaccinated parents and are required to present a negative PCR test (72 hours).
Vineyards in the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus. The island can be visited by fully vaccinated travelers without quarantine (Photo: Getty / AFP)
Goals on the Amber List
As of July 19, travelers returning from Amber List destinations will no longer need to self-isolate if they have received both doses of the Covid vaccine (14 days prior to arrival) or if they are under the age of 18 and make three A Covid test days before return and a test on or before the second day after return.
No proof of vaccination required
- The Bahamas
- Balearic Islands (Spain)
- British Virgin Islands
- Canary Islands (Spain)
- Cyprus
- Greece
- Mexico (Federal Foreign Office currently advises against all non-essential travel)
- Morocco
- Spain (mainland)
Proof of complete vaccination is mandatory
- France (NHS Covid passport or letter accepted). Children under the age of 18 are exempt from quarantine when traveling with fully vaccinated parents.
- Germany (proof of vaccination status is not formalized with the UK; follow Specific requirements). No offer for children under 18 years of age.
- Portugal (NHS Covid Pass or letter accepted). Children under the age of 18 are exempt from quarantine when traveling with fully vaccinated parents.
- Switzerland (proof of vaccination status is not formalized with Great Britain, bring NHS Covid Pass and / or NHS letter)
- Jordan (NHS Covid passport or letter accepted)
