Holidays are soon to be back on the table for British tourists. Countries around the world closed their borders when coronavirus struck but they’re now starting to reopen. A number of European destinations loved by UK holidaymakers are set to open soon, if they’re not open already.
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According to new research, by next month, 37 percent of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations will have re-opened to British tourists.
The figure jumped this week after Spain revealed Britons could enter the country from June 21.
Vacation company Holiday Extras analysed data and government announcements to identify the countries open to British tourists this summer in its Holiday Extras Deckchair Index.
These are the countries open now, opening soon, and opening soon with restrictions.
European countries open now
Italy
Italy opened up to tourists on June 3, with Sicily letting travellers in from June 7 and Sardinia from 15 June.
Germany
Entry restrictions and heightened checks on Germany’s border from the UK expired on June 15.
Belgium
Belgium opened to travellers on Monday, June 15.
European countries open now but with restrictions
Iceland
The island is welcoming visitors but they will have to either do a coronavirus test or undergo a quarantine period.
Ireland
Britons are permitted to travel to Ireland but must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.
France
Travellers can now enter France without proving their travel is essential.
However, arrivals from the UK are asked to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival in mainland France.
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Next European countries to lift restrictions
Spain
Spain’s State of Emergency ends on June 21, from which date Britons are set to be allowed in.
Visitors from outside Europe will be permitted to travel to Spain from July 1.
Portugal
Portugal opens up on July 1. The country is in discussions with the UK government regarding a possible air bridge.
This would mean Britons won’t have to carry out quarantine on arrival.
Greece
Greece is expected to open to holidaymakers from July 1, following a U-turn by the Greek government on Britons entering from June 15.
Poland
Poland is set to open to international visitors from July 1.
European countries expected to open soon with restrictions
Cyprus
Any UK national will be allowed to go to Cyprus from July 1.
However, they will have to present a negative coronavirus test and quarantine for 14 days at their own cost.
Ant Clarke Cowell, Associate Brand Director at Holiday Extras, said of their findings: “Spain is far and away the most popular holiday destination for Brits looking forward to a week or two in the sun.
“It accounted for 22 percent of all trips in 2018, and last week – even before the country officially announced a re-opening date – 35 percent of our bookings were for Spain.
“So it’s good news for holidaymakers and good news for our industry to see the Deckchair Index head up to 37 percent while we all wait for the UK’s own lockdown to ease.”
“Our latest poll of UK travellers – carried out at the weekend before Spain made its big announcement – showed that 52 percent of British holidaymakers plan to fly overseas before the end of the year.
“Thirty percent have already booked a trip to look forward to once the corona lockdown ends. So there’s plenty of demand out there for a holiday this summer, and it’s great to see Spain stepping up to meet that demand.”
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