Where can I go on holiday this summer? Latest travel advice and restrictions including Spain, Portugal and Malta

A SUMMER holiday abroad is still on the cards this year, according to the government, with an announcement to follow next week.

A number of countries in Europe are keen to restart tourism especially to visitors from Britain due to the success of the vaccine rollout.

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Spain and Greece are leading the way in wanting to resume restriction-free travel through vaccine passports, along with Cyprus and Portugal.

It is worth remembering that holidays abroad will only go ahead from May 17 at the earliest, with the government's Global Travel Taskforce to announce the official start date next month.

Currently in place are a number of travel restrictions as well – most countries require a negative coronavirus test to enter, while Brits returning to the UK need three Covid tests as well as a mandatory 10-day quarantine.

Here is when countries want to welcome Brits back, without any travel restrictions.

Cyprus – May 1

Cyprus is letting fully-vaccinated tourists into the country from May 1 with no travel restrictions.

However, they have confirmed that tourists must have both jabs, with the second one at least seven days before arriving at the country.

Other tourists will still be able to visit but will have to follow strict entry rules.

Greece – May 14

Greece will welcome Brits back from May 14, with vaccinated travellers being able to avoid quarantine restrictions and negative Covid tests.

Greek tourism minister Harry Theoharis has been pushing for the return of Brits in recent weeks.

A senior tourism sector official in Athens told the Sun: “We’re in a race to get them, in fact everyone in Europe is in a race to get them.

"If 3.5 million come as they did in 2019, it will be fantastic for us.” 

Non-vaccinated tourists will still be able to visit but will likely need negative Covid tests before travelling, and have to quarantine on arrival.

Portugal – May 17

Portugal has said they want Brits back from May 17.

Portugal's Secretary of State for Tourism Rita Marques confirmed that they were working on measures to allow vaccinated travellers or those with immunisation.

The Portuguese island of Madeira has already dropped all entry travel restrictions for anyone who has been vaccinated.

Anyone who can prove that they have recovered from the virus in the previous 90 days can also skip the mandatory tests and quarantines on arrival.

Turkey – May

Turkey wants Brits back by May, when the UK travel restrictions lift with the vaccination programme beating a lot of Europe holiday hotspots.

A well placed source said: “Turkey is ready and willing to let the British come in as soon as possible, and as safe as possible."

Turkey's tourism industry has also adopted the Safe Tourism Certification Program, a set of safety and hygiene measures the Turkish government introduced earlier last year.

Malta – June 1

Malta will allow anyone who has had the vaccine to enter the country restriction free from June 1.

Tolene Van Der Merwe, director for the UK and Ireland at MTA, said: “Malta is a very popular destination for British holidaymakers and is a key contributor to Malta’s economy, so we are excited to welcome back fully vaccinated travellers from the United Kingdom from 1 June.

“The people of Malta are looking forward to tourists returning who have loved our sunshine, culture, food and warm spirit year in, year out.”

Spain – June

Spain previously said they want Brits back as soon as May, and vaccinated travellers are likely to be able to avoid quarantine and negative Covid tests.

However, Spain’s tourism minister, Reyes Maroto, said that the Spanish government’s prediction is that the vaccination certificate will be ready by June.

They said: “The forecast is for it to be operational in Spain by June.

"In order to put it into operation, it will be important to have a significant percentage of the population vaccinated – between 30 and 40 per cent and rising to 70 per cent in June.

"We need the maximum certainty in order to have a season without taking risks.”

France – no date given

France announced earlier today that travel restrictions are easing for Brits, with an essential reason no longer needed to visit the country.

However, the return of restriction-free travel has not yet been allowed so a negative test will still be needed – meaning a trip to Disneyland Paris may be off the cards for now.

They are yet to confirm if they will introduce vaccine passports to allow Brits to return, restriction-free.

Italy – no date given

Italy is yet to announce when Brits can return, and is even facing going back into strict lockdown.

Vaccine passports have not been discussed regarding holidaymakers returning to the country without needing tests or quarantines.

Dubai – no date given

The UAE is currently on the UK's high risk list meaning travel is banned to the country.

This means even when the lockdown lifts, holidays cannot resume to the country which includes the influencer hotspot Dubai.

However, if this is lifted by the government then trips will go ahead as the country was one of the few to welcome Brits throughout lockdown.

Thailand – 2022

Thailand has proposed a four-stage system in allowing tourism to return to the country.

While this starts from April, this doesn't include Brits and still requires strict quarantine rules.

Brits could be included from October, but quarantine-free travel is unlikely to return until January 2022.

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