Posted on 07 October 2020

Nobody wants to quarantine themselves for 14 days after a holiday, which is why the UK's quarantine exemption lists are of great importance to those planning an overseas getaway.

One of the latest to lose exemption status is Portugal: As of 12 September, the country was removed from the travel corridor lists for all four countries in the UK.

Hungary, Réunion and French Polynesia have also been removed, while France, Malta and the Netherlands were taken off in August, joining Spain, Belgium and the Bahamas, among others.

Each week, more countries are unfortunately added to these lists. We say lists, because there are two important UK lists to check before you book a break.

Department for Transport (DfT) exemption list

The DfT list is important because it lists countries you can visit that do not require a 14 day quarantine when you return home.

The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) exemption list

The FCO advises against travel to any nation not listed. It is critical to check this because your travel insurer will not cover you for travel to these destinations. Without travel cover you won't have any protection against cancellations, loss/theft of belongings, or, crucially, medical costs. (Note: the FCO changed its name to the FCDO as of September - the 'D' stands for Development).

Significant overlap

These two lists are quite similar, but it's important to be aware of any differences.

Will my chosen destination let me in?

If your preferred destination appears on both the above lists, you still have another question to answer: Will that country let me in?

For instance, New Zealand has a clean bill of health from the DfT and FCO, but Britons - and indeed everyone else on the planet - are not allowed to enter, as the country has a blanket ban on international arrivals.

So where can I visit?

(Please note that quarantine requirements (for both when you arrive in a country, and when you return to the UK) are changing frequently. There may also be additional entry requirements, such as a Covid-19 test or extra insurance. Make sure you check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for the most up-to-date information.)

You can travel freely to the following nations without having to worry about quarantine, travel insurance, or a Covid-19-clear certificate. However, it's important to double-check before you depart. There may be extra paperwork to complete, as in the case of Greece where you need to fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) 24 hours before arrival.

• Denmark

• Germany

• Gibraltar

• Greece (mainland)

• Italy

• Poland

• San Marino

• Slovakia

• Slovenia

• Sweden

• Turkey

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