The government has announced that residents in England who have had both Covid-19 vaccinations will be able to holiday in amber list countries without having to quarantine on their return, from 19 July.

From that date the government will no longer advise against leisure travel and with popular holiday destinations such as mainland Spain, France, Greece and Italy currently rated amber, holidays abroad could return this summer for millions of vaccinated travellers.

Although there is no need to quarantine under the new rules, travellers who are double-jabbed must still take two Covid tests. One lateral flow test will be required before you depart your destination and one PCR test on or before day two when you are back in the UK. The extra cost of this will vary but could add at least £120 to your holiday per person.

Holidaymakers keen to travel to amber-list countries should still be wary and check whether the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to their chosen destination. Unless FCDO advises it’s safe to travel, it will be difficult to find valid insurance.

While this rule change could spell good news for English residents, will Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland follow suit? We will update this story in the coming weeks, when more announcements are made.

Below, we cover amber list rules, including whether you can travel on one dose or with a child who hasn’t been vaccinated and what happens if you book a holiday and are told by NHS Test and Trace to isolate before you go. Additionally, we look at what your refund rights are if you’re not vaccinated or choose a green-list holiday destination and it changes to red before you travel.

For more unbiased news, advice and award-winning investigations, sign up to Which? Travel.

Can I visit an amber list country?

The government has said English residents can take holidays to amber list countries, from 19 July.

Regardless of whether vaccinated or not, the Scottish government still says ‘you should think carefully before booking travel to a country or area on the amber list for holidays or for any other leisure purpose. Travelling abroad carries a risk of bringing new cases and variants of Covid-19 into Scotland.’

People living in Northern Ireland are advised to ‘aoid travelling as much as possible’.

If you do travel to a country on the amber list from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, or England if you aren’t doubly vaccinated, you face a 10-day quarantine when you return home. You’ll also have to fork out for a Covid test before flying home as well as tests on day two and eight, after you return.

Can I visit an amber list country if I’ve had both vaccines?

Yes, if you live in England. The government has said that those who are double-jabbed do not need to quarantine on return from amber list countries from 19 July. However, you do still need to take two tests. One lateral flow before you depart home from your destination, and a PCR test on day two after landing home.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are yet to announce whether they are following England’s lead.

Regardless of England’s new amber-list rules, you still need to assess the requirements of the country you’re travelling to. Check to see if it’s allowing UK residents to travel there and if you need to show proof of vaccination, a negative test, and/or quarantine on arrival.

Before booking a holiday, check that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) says it’s safe to travel there. If FCDO says not to travel, you will find it difficult to get insurance.

You also need to allow time for your jab to take effect. The UK government says that you are fully vaccinated two weeks after you’ve had your second dose of a Coronavirus vaccine.

If being vaccinated is a condition of entry to another country though, you must check what they class as fully vaccinated. France for example says you must wait four weeks after your second dose to count as fully vaccinated.

What are the rules on amber list holidays if I’m double-vaccinated but my children aren’t?

No child (who is a UK resident) under the age of 18 returning from an amber list country will have to isolate. Children aged five and over will need to take a PCR test on day two. Children four and under will not need to take any tests.

Can I get insured if I visit an amber list country?

It depends. As mentioned above, whether you can get insurance or not depends on whether the FCDO says you can travel to a country.

If you have insurance but the FCDO advice changes before departure, most types of insurance will no longer be valid. If you don’t have insurance you won’t be covered should you have a costly medical emergency abroad.

However, Which? is aware of one type of insurance, available through Biba’s 1,800 member brokers, that’ll insure you even if you travel against FCDO advice. It has not been assessed by Which? though as to whether it offers complete Covid cover.

Any insurance may not offer complete Covid-19 cover. Most companies do not offer financial cover for all scenarios. For example, the company might pay out if you fall ill with coronavirus while abroad, but not if you’re told to isolate by NHS Test and Trace at the time of travel. Check what the insurance actually provides.

Find the best travel insurance policy for your needs

If you book a holiday and it changes to amber when you’re due to fly, can you get a refund?

You aren’t legally entitled to a refund if you’re cancelling a trip because it has turned amber. Check the terms and conditions or ask your travel agent where you stand. Remember though, if you’ve had both jabs you are no longer required to quarantine on your return, which makes travelling to amber list countries more viable.

If you are not double-jabbed, be aware that plenty of holiday providers are still taking people on holiday to amber list destinations. Many will allow you at least a date or destination change if the country changes to amber from green, but not all.

If the FCDO advises against travel to an amber list country though, most package holiday companies should offer a refund. If they refuse, you won’t have valid insurance, so you are faced with either travelling without insurance, or losing the holiday. This is why it’s important to choose a flexible provider in case a country’s status changes.

If you’ve booked a flight only, it’s likely that the flight will still run even if a country’s rating changes to amber. So you will need to fly or lose the cost of the flight, unless the company’s terms say otherwise.

If you are yet to book, book a package holiday from a flexible provider. Many holiday companies are more flexible than airlines.

When booking a holiday, make sure you are willing to quarantine if a country’s traffic light rating changes and you haven’t had both vaccinations. Country ratings can and will likely change.

If you cannot quarantine and still choose to book, check you can rebook for free if your destination is on the red list at the time of departure. Make sure you can transfer the full value of your trip, without unrecoverable costs being deducted.

Sometimes companies say you can move it for free apart from unrecoverable costs. This is often the cost of the flight, or a pre-booked trip so it could be a big financial hit.

You’ll also need assurance that you’ll be refunded if the FCDO adds a warning to the country you’re travelling to.

If I’m already abroad and the destination changes to amber, what should I do?

If you have been fully vaccinated, you will need to take a lateral flow test before you depart for home and you’ll need a PCR test on day two after you land. You will not need to quarantine unless you test positive for Covid-19.

If you’ve not been inoculated and you can quarantine at home for 10 days on your return, it’s probably best to stay put on your trip. Some holiday companies may try and bring people home early, but are under no obligation.

Just be prepared to pay for an extra PCR test when you land back in the UK. You will need to be tested on day two and eight.

If you cannot quarantine, you will likely need to book your own flight home at a cost to yourself, unless your insurance covers this scenario – which is unlikely. Be prepared for inflated flight prices with the demand for flights likely to rise so that people can rush back to the UK to avoid quarantine.

How to book a holiday safely to protect yourself against traffic light changes

Make sure you book a package holiday from a flexible provider. Many holiday companies are more flexible than airlines.

When committing to a holiday, make sure you are willing to quarantine if a country’s traffic light rating changes. As we saw with Portugal being changed to amber suddenly in an update earlier in June, traffic lights do change.

If you cannot quarantine and still choose to book, check you can rebook for free if your destination is on the amber or red list at the time of departure. Make sure you can transfer the full value of your trip, without unrecoverable costs being deducted.

Sometimes companies say you can move it for free apart from unrecoverable costs. This is often the cost of the flight, or a pre-booked trip so it could be a big financial hit.

You’ll also need assurance that you’ll be refunded if the FCDO adds a warning to the country you’re travelling to.

Find out everything you should ask your holiday provider before booking

Will Tui refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?

No, unless the FCDO advises against travelling there.

For holidays to amber list countries where the FCDO says it’s OK to travel, if you’re unwilling or unable to self-isolate, you can amend your booking without penalty. You’ll need to pay more if the holiday is more expensive, but will be refunded for the difference if it’s cheaper. See more on Tui’s rebooking policies.

Will British Airways Holidays refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?

A refund will be offered only if the amber list country is also somewhere the FCDO advises against non-essential travel.

You can change your destination or date with no change fees or supplier costs if the country turns amber. Be aware that you will have to pay the difference if the new holiday is more expensive. You must inform British Airways Holidays of any changes within seven days of the government announcement. If it’s less than seven days to go until your holiday and a country turns amber, you can change the holiday right up until check-in closes. You can also get a voucher. See British Airways’ booking policies.

Be aware that if you chose a package holiday that included a non-refundable hotel, this will not be changable. This should have been made clear when booking.

Will easyJet Holidays refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?

You will only be refunded for an amber list country if the FCDO also advises against travelling there. Other trips on the amber list can be amended or you can gain credit without charge right up until 24 hours before departure. See easyJet’s refund and rebooking policies.

Will Loveholidays refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?

The company hasn’t yet decided its policy on amber destinations. See Jet2holidays’ refund and rebooking policy.

Will On The Beach refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?

No. You can amend the holiday without paying a fee, but you may lose airline costs, regardless of whether FCDO advises against travel. Seven days notice is required for hotel and transfer amendments.

On The Beach has paused holiday sales and will not be selling any more holidays until September. See On The Beach’s rebooking and refund policy for your holiday if you’ve already booked.

Will Trailfinders refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?

Yes. Trailfinders is more flexible than most, offering a refund in this instance. See Trailfinders’ rebooking and refund policy.