Croatia, Bulgaria, Hong Kong and Taiwan have been added to the green list in the latest review of the government’s traffic light system for international travel.

Meanwhile two countries and territories dropped down to amber: tourist favourite the Balearic Islands plus the British Virgin Islands.

The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, announced the updated lists in the Department for Transport’s latest reshuffle on 14 July, a day earlier than anticipated.

While Bulgaria and Hong Kong went straight to green, Croatia and Taiwan have been placed on the green watchlist instead – meaning they’re at risk of being downgraded to amber.

There are now 29 destinations in total that have green status, with returning travellers facing the lightest restrictions on entry to the UK – just one pre-departure lateral flow test and one post-arrival PCR test, with no need to quarantine if the results are negative.

Foreign holidays first became legal again in Britain from 17 May, with destinations assigned a colour of red, amber or green, each carrying varying degrees of restrictions.

However, many of the places on the green list are still not welcoming British travellers.

New Zealand, Australia and Singapore, for example, may have been given the thumbs up, but are largely closed to international holidaymakers.

These are the green list tourist destinations that are open to UK tourists – under certain conditions.

Bulgaria

Jet2 has added thousands of additional seats to Bulgaria, including new routes to Bourgas from Glasgow and Leeds Bradford.

As well as golden beaches and mountains ripe for exploration, Sofia and Plovdiv are ideal for those craving a cultural city break. Check out our guide to Plovdiv here.

From 1 July, Bulgaria introduced a new system of classification for travellers arriving in the country based on green, orange and red zones. The UK is currently categorised as an ‘orange zone’ country which means that if you are travelling from the UK you’re required to present one of the following three documents: a vaccination certificate showing you’ve had you’re second dose 14 days or more prior; a document showing a positive result from a PCR or rapid antigen test for people who have recovered from Covid, dated at least 11, but no more than 180 days, before arrival; or a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before entry into Bulgaria, or a rapid antigen test performed up to 48 hours before entry.

Croatia

From the magical walled city of Dubrovnik, to the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, Croatia ticks a lot of boxes for an ideal summer holiday.

Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board Kristjan Staničić described the destination as “the very top of the safest and most desirable tourist destinations in the Mediterranean”.

Minister of tourism and sports Nikolina Brnjac was optimistic about the numbers of tourists returning to the country this season. He said: “So far we are extremely satisfied with the results of the tourist year 2021 and the announcements for the months ahead.

“In the coming weeks, the peak of the season awaits us, and we must all be aware that the precondition for the further continuation of such results is a favourable epidemiological situation in Croatia.”

Find inspiration in our guide to Zadar and guide to Zagreb.

UK nationals travelling to Croatia must present one of the following documents on arrival: a negative Covid antigen not older than 48 hours, or; a negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours, or; proof of a vaccination, or; a doctor’s certificate of recovery following a positive test result between 11 and 180 days prior.

Children under 12 and accompanied by a parent/guardian are exempt from the requirement to present a negative test result, and to self-isolate, if the parent or guardian has one of the documents set out above.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar has vaccinated all of its adult population; the British Overseas Territory, just on the tip of Spain, has administered more than 78,000 Covid vaccination doses as at 15 July.

The territory, which has a population of around 33,000 people, is a popular tourist destination, with beaches, VAT-free shopping and one of Europe’s most impressive landmarks, The Rock.

The UK is on Gibraltar’s green list; fully vaccinated travellers must upload their vaccination certificate on the Passenger Locator Form. They must also book a Covid lateral flow test before arriving in Gibraltar. This test must take place within 24 hours of arrival. Visitors remaining for more than seven days must take a second test on day 5.

If you’re unvaccinated, you must have a pre-flight Covid lateral flow test taken no more than 48 hours before your flight to Gibraltar. Before you travel to Gibraltar you must also book a lateral flow test, to be taken in Gibraltar within 24 hours of your arrival. If you are remaining in Gibraltar for more than seven days, you must take a third test on day 5.

Iceland

Consider a summer holiday with a difference in the dramatic landscapes of this lush island. From cinematic road trips, to stylish cities, Iceland has so much more to offer than the Northern Lights.

This population of less than 350,000 is reporting less than four new infections on average each day, and has recorded fewer than 30 coronavirus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Be aware that the country is only permitting visitors who have been double vaccinated, however. If you live in England, Iceland will accept the NHS Covid Pass or your NHS letter to demonstrate your vaccination status. If you live in Scotland or Wales, Iceland will accept your respective NHS letter.

Malta

Malta, with its array of beaches, warm climate and beautiful historic capital of Valletta, was a welcome addition to the UK’s green list.

The holiday island recently tightened its entry requirements to require British tourists over the age of 12 to be fully vaccinated; and those over the age of five to present a negative PCR test on arrival.

The Mediterranean country is now accepting all travellers who have been vaccinated with an AstraZeneca jab in the UK, regardless of its manufacture location, after some British holidaymakers were turned away after being told certain AstraZeneca vaccines from batch numbers 4120Z001, 4120Z002 and 412Z003 would not be accepted as proof for entry.

If you live in England, Iceland will accept the NHS Covid Pass or your NHS letter to demonstrate your vaccination status. If you live in Scotland or Wales, Iceland will accept your respective NHS letter. If you live in Northern Ireland, Malta will accept the interim proof of vaccination document which are valid until 11.59pm on 31 July 2021.

Madeira

This autonomous region of Portugal has much to offer tourists, from a subtropical climate to its namesake fortified wine.

Travellers from the UK aged 12 and over must complete and submit a traveller questionnaire and take a PCR test 72 hours before travel, or provide a certificate proving you’re fully vaccinated.

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