New UK travel rules explained as the amber list has been scrapped and countries placed on a red list or rest of the world list – including the full red list countries for Brits
Image: Getty Images)
The UK has changed its travel rules, which includes changes to quarantine and PCR testing requirements for those returning to the UK.
Under the new system, countries are no longer placed on a green, amber or red lit. Instead, destinations will now be placed into one of two categories; the red list, or the rest of the world list.
The ‘rest of the world’ list will be the one which is most useful for holidaymakers, as the Foreign Office allows for non-essential travel to these destinations.
However, a word of caution – just because the government says you can visit, that doesn’t mean a country will automatically be open to UK travellers. To give you a helping hand, we’ve also put together a guide to the countries actually open to Brits without quarantine, including their own entry rules.
So, what are the new rules for holidaymakers?
For the rest of the world rules , your vaccination status will determine the requirements you need to meet when you return to the UK.
For those who are fully vaccinated, you’ll only need to take one test, a PCR test on day two after landing.
For those who are unvaccinated/partially vaccinated arrivals, you’ll need to take a pre-departure test, and PCR tests on days two and eight. You’ll also need to self-isolate for 10 days. (You can pay for a fourth ‘test to release’ to leave early).
If you are thinking of booking a holiday, make sure to check out our guide to key factors you need to know including your refund rights if something goes wrong, and what sort of policies to look out for when booking.
Where Brits can go on holiday
Meanwhile under the red list rules , anyone returning from a red list country will need to spend 11 nights in a quarantine hotel costing £2,285 per adult.
Usually the Foreign Office advises against travel to destinations on the red list, with only a handful of exemptions for essential reasons (such as essential work or visiting a dying relative).
It’s worth noting that if you travel against Foreign Office advice, you risk invalidating your travel insurance, so if you think you have an essential reason, check with your travel insurance provider to see if they will cover you.
You can see the full list of countries on the red list below.
Full red list of countries
This list is based off England’s red list. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own lists which tend to be similar, but may feature some changes – always check the rules based on where you are departing from.
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Burundi
- Cape Verde
- Chile
- Colombia
- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- French Guiana
- Georgia
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Indonesia
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Réunion
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
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