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Places the U.S. Government Warns Not to Travel Right Now

You may want to reconsider traveling to these countries right now.

Do Not Travel to These Countries

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Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.

In 2024, tourism across the globe is “well on track” to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to projections by UN Tourism.

Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .

In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gaza’s population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.

Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agency’s deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.

South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.

Other Countries to Watch

Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The region’s travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.

Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.

In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guinea’s main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.

France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Sweden’s Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.

The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s election was not free nor fair.

In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.

Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

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All the countries on the Foreign Office’s updated list of ‘safe’ destinations

The fcdo is advising against all non-essential travel to most countries, article bookmarked.

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On 17 March, the Foreign Office (now known as FCDO ) issued an unprecedented advisory: it warned against all non-essential international travel.

The advice was given in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which saw borders closed around the world and travellers stranded abroad.

It didn’t make leaving the UK illegal as such, but it did mean travel insurance was largely invalidated for those who went abroad against the advice.

Since then, the FCDO has softened its rules, with certain countries deemed “low risk” put on an exemption list.

This list has evolved drastically since early July, with new destinations added and struck off as Covid-19 infection rates rose and fell around the world.

• All the countries on the government’s travel corridors list

Recent high-profile removals include holiday hotspots such as Spain, France, the Netherlands, Malta, Austria and Croatia.

Destinations can be removed at the last-minute with little warning for travellers; the FCDO says: “All our advice will remain under constant review to take into account the latest situation in each country.”

While these countries might be deemed ‘safe’, it’s worth remembering that quarantine restrictions may apply to British travellers returning from some of these destinations. 

To complicate matters further, such measures may differ for holidaymakers returning to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Check the full list here.  

Here’s the full list of destinations currently exempt from the FCDO’s advice against ‘all but essential’ international travel:

Madeira and the Azores (not including mainland Portugal)

• The essential quarantine questions and answers as travel restrictions expand

Antigua & Barbuda

Cayman Islands

Falkland Islands

South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands

St Kitts and Nevis

St Martin and St Barthélemy

St Pierre and Miquelon

St Vincent and The Grenadines

• Coronavirus: How safe is it to travel by plane, train or cruise liner?

Asia-Pacific

British Indian Ocean Territory

Cook Islands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

South Korea

Wallis and Futuna

• Employees can be forced to cancel holidays if they need to quarantine on return

St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

British Antarctic Territory

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Foreign Office travel advice: Eight countries added to 'do not travel' warning list for UK holidaymakers after declared 'too dangerous'

The Foreign Office has added eight new countries to its “do not travel” warning list for being “too dangerous”

The Foreign Office has added eight countries to its “do not travel” warning list. The government urges UK holidaymakers not to travel to the eight new countries added to the list as they have been declared “too dangerous”. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issues advice to holidaymakers and regularly updates its travel advisories based on how dangerous countries are perceived to be and what particularly to look out for when visiting them. In total, 66 countries - or parts of countries - have been declared "too dangerous" for British tourists by the FCDO. 

Eight nations have been added to the list by FCDO, these are Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Sudan, Lebanon, Israel, Belarus and the Palestinian territories. These nations are categorised as either on the 'red list' or 'black list' by experts in the UK Foreign Office. The FCDO does not ban UK citizens from travelling to these countries but it says they may find themselves without any government support if something were to go wrong. The advice given for each country is slightly different but the same warning is given that help may not be offered to those who travel.

The Belarus warning from the FCDO reads: "Russian military operations are taking place in Belarus. There is some risk that direct conflict linked to the war in Ukraine may spread to Belarus. If conflict starts, FCDO’s ability to offer consular assistance will be severely limited. Routes out of the country are limited, particularly by air."

Currently the Foreign Office is sternly advising against travel, or all but essential travel, to 24 destinations on the 'black list'. These destinations are: Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, North Korea, Palestinian territories, Russia, Somalia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.

The Foreign Office also advises against travel, or all but essential travel to 42 'red list' nations. This list focuses more on specific regions or territories instead of the country as a whole. The destinations are Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Laos, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Nigeria, Pakistan, and Papua New Guinea.

The advice on the Foreign Office website reads: "Get advice about travelling abroad, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings. Get appropriate travel insurance as soon as you book. Check that it covers the places you will visit, the duration of your visit and any planned activities such as adventure sports. Tell your insurance company about any medical conditions, including undiagnosed conditions which are being investigated, and check that your policy will cover these."

Update April 12, 2024

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Covid-19 travel amber list: a guide to rules in top holiday destinations

These five popular destinations for Britons may be on the UK’s amber list but they’re opening the door to holidaymakers. We gauge the current restrictions and entry requirements in France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Croatia

Like so many changes to the UK’s Covid rules over the past 14 months, the new traffic light system for international travel came into force this week amid confusion, frustration and dismay. After a five-month foreign holiday ban, British holidaymakers were legally allowed to travel for leisure to destinations on the green list from 17 May, though in practice only three of the 12 “green” countries and territories were free of entry restrictions: Portugal, Madeira and Gibraltar.

Travellers to Portugal are still required to present a negative PCR test result on arrival, among other paperwork, as Guardian Travel writer Kevin Rushby discovered when he travelled to Faro on assignment this week.

Travel companies and airlines have spent the week pressurising the government to add more European countries to the green list . On Thursday, easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren accused the government of sowing confusion and said it was clearly out of step with the rest of Europe: this week the EU updated its recommendations to advise that fully vaccinated travellers will be allowed to enter EU countries, though there is some doubt over whether that will apply to travellers from the UK . The government spent the week reiterating that people should not visit amber list countries.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all but essential travel to the popular amber-listed countries listed below (with a few exceptions), but it is not illegal to travel them. Travellers returning from amber countries must take a Covid-19 test before their arrival in England and are required to quarantine for 10 days on their return, taking a test on or before days two and eight. Airlines continue to fly to them and travel companies are selling holidays to key summer destinations from June, in the hope that the FCDO advice will change and the green list will be extended, despite health secretary Matt Hancock warning that the government was not likely to add to it any time soon. Meanwhile, health advisers and scientists have publicly disagreed with the government’s approach, warning against any overseas travel this summer.

In the meantime, European countries are lifting national restrictions and preparing to welcome visitors back, in the hope that the battered tourism industry can begin to recover. The five popular holiday destinations listed here are all on the amber list – it is not illegal to travel to them, but the government says travel should be for “essential” purposes only – and you have to quarantine at home on your return. We look at what restrictions remain in place in each country and when they hope to open to visitors. Isabel Choat

Vaccination rate 1st dose: 34%. 2nd dose: 16% Daily cases 119 per million

What’s happening? Spain is no longer in the high-risk category. Death rates have fallen sharply, as has pressure on intensive care units. On 19 May, 6,080 new cases were recorded, 400 fewer than the previous week, with 66 deaths, compared with 108 the previous week.

The country is returning to something like normality, after the six-month state of emergency was lifted on 10 May. Since then, Covid restrictions have been in the hands of regional governments and there is considerable variation, although the 11/12pm–6am curfew has been lifted everywhere except Navarra and the Valencia region, where it may remain in force into next month.

Masks are obligatory indoors and out, except for sporting activities, which includes jogging and cycling. Legally, masks have to be worn on the beach, but the measure is largely ignored and rarely enforced. The health department said earlier this week that masks would soon cease to be mandatory outdoors.

Bars and restaurants are open indoors and out until 11pm or 1am, depending on the region, except in the Balearic Isles, where you can only eat and drink in outdoor areas. In Madrid and Andalucía there are no restrictions on how many people can meet together; in the Canary Islands the limit is 15, in Valencia 10 and in Catalonia and the Balearics six.

The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the Spanish economy, especially on the Mediterranean, which is heavily dependent on tourism. Large resorts such as Benidorm are virtual ghost towns, and in Barcelona 70% of hotels remain closed, while 30-40% of bars and restaurants have gone out of business.

The UK accounts for more than 20% of Spain’s tourist industry, with visitors spending £1.7m an hour, according to government statistics.

When can I go? As of this week the Spanish government says Britons are welcome to visit (from 24 May), and do not need proof of a negative PCR test or of vaccination.

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Spain, excluding the Canary islands. Travel companies such as Tui are selling holidays to Spain from June, in the hope that the FCDO will lift its non-essential ban and that Spain will move onto the green list. It is reported that this week alone there have been 69 flights to the popular tourist area of Alicante. However, there are also reports of visitors from the UK being refused entry. Stephen Burgen

Vaccination rate 1st dose: 28.5%. 2nd dose: 16% Daily cases 192 per million

What’s happening? Under an accelerated vaccination drive, residents on Aegean islands, including frontline workers in the tourist industry, are being given the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. More than 100,000 jabs are being administered daily, with epidemiologists hoping to achieve herd immunity by the summer.

Greece has fared better than most other countries in Europe, registering a total of 383,558 confirmed cases and 11,587 deaths linked to the virus, although fatality rates are thought to be higher due to limited testing.

Curbs enforced when Greece went into a second “hard lockdown” in November began to be eased earlier this month.

Although masks are still required in public, they’re not essential in outdoor restaurants, tavernas and bars allowed to reopen, on condition that music that would encourage people to huddle isn’t played and tables are placed at a safe distance from one another.

Travel between regions has been permitted, with ferries once again plying routes to islands. The relaxation of restrictions also applies to the mainland. Museums and shops have reopened, along with archaeological sites, while popular open-air cinemas are due to open their doors with a viewing capacity of 75% as of Friday.

Although gatherings remain limited as part of efforts to rein in transmission rates, an obligatory SMS system notifying authorities of movements has been dropped and a night-time curfew narrowed from 12:30am–5am.

Hugely dependent on tourism, the Greek economy was hammered by the pandemic last year. Arrivals dropped by almost 80% compared with the record 33.1 million tourists who visited the country in 2019. Revenues that normally account for over 20% of GDP fell from €18bn to €4bn in 2020.

By prolonging the season, industry figures hope to recoup the losses with up to 50% of pre-pandemic arrivals this year. Optimism has been buoyed by operators such as TUI predicting that Greece and Spain will be favourite destinations this summer, along with the news of a record number of direct Athens-US flights. “This year our ambition is for autumn to be the strong three-month period and not the traditional July-August slot,” says Yiannis Retsos at SETE, the Greek Tourism Confederation.

When can I go? After dropping quarantine restrictions for EU nationals and five other countries, including the UK, in April, Greece formally reopened to all tourists on 15 May. Visitors are required to complete a passenger locator form and are granted entry if they can prove they’ve been fully vaccinated or possess a negative Covid-19 test. Athens has championed the creation of a vaccine passport and is counting on rapid testing and warmer weather to ensure safe travel. Charter flights have begun landing on islands such as Mykonos and Crete, with the first plane carrying 180 UK holidaymakers arriving in Rhodes on Wednesday despite Greece still being on London’s amber list. Passengers were quoted as saying they were prepared to quarantine back home rather than lose out on a holiday on their favourite island. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Greece , except the islands of Rhodes, Kos, Corfu, Crete and Zakynthos. Helena Smith

Vaccination rate 1st dose: 31%. 2nd dose: 14% Daily cases 204 per million

What’s happening? France is in “Phase 2” of a staggered end to restrictions. There are no domestic travel restrictions, but there is a nationwide curfew from 9pm–6am. Anyone out during curfew hours should have a sworn attestation justifying their reason. Restaurants, bars and cafes reopened for outdoor drinking and dining on 19 May, with a maximum of six people allowed per table (a maximum of 10 people are allowed together in public spaces). There is no limit on gatherings in private homes, but health officials strongly advise a maximum of six adults. All shops, museums, theatres and cinemas are open and outdoor sporting activities are allowed. Indoor gyms and discos remain closed. Masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces and outside in larger towns and cities. Health minister Olivier Véran has suggested that an end to compulsory mask wearing is in sight, but has not indicated when. From 9 June, restaurants, bars and cafes will be able to open inside and outside and the curfew will run from 11pm–6am.

Economically, French industries have seen a jump in demand to the highest level in two years. Businesses hit by the lockdown closures, including non-essential shops and service industries, as well as those in tourism, are struggling. The government hopes the estimated €160bn savings accumulated by the French over the past year will boost the economy once consumers start spending again.

France’s tourist sector lost €61bn last year – a drop of 41%. To compensate, the French government has given the tourist industry a bailout package of around €16bn and pledged that financial support will continue for as long as it is needed.

When can I go? Travellers from the UK – as well as from EU countries – can enter France with a negative PCR test done 72 hours before leaving. UK arrivals do not need to justify an essential reason to enter France, but do need to complete a “sworn declaration” that has legal weight stating they are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight. Arrivals from the UK must also self-isolate for seven days on arrival, before taking another PCR test. They should only leave self-isolation with a negative test result. Clément Beaune, European Affairs minister, has said PCR tests will be free to tourists visiting France after the end of June. Kim Willsher

Vaccination rate 1st dose: 33%. 2nd dose: 15% Daily cases: 98 per million

What’s happening? Italy began a gradual easing of lockdown measures on 26 April, with all but one (Aosta Valley) of the country’s 20 regions currently in the low-risk “yellow zone”. People can travel freely between yellow zone regions, where bars and restaurants can currently serve customers for lunch and dinner at outside tables. All shops, theatres, cinemas and museums are open in the yellow zone. Covid-19 deaths, infections and hospitalisations have fallen in recent weeks as Italy ramped up its vaccination campaign. All Italian regions are expected to be in either the yellow zone or lowest (white) zone by the end of the first week of June.

Italy has also shortened its nightly curfew, which now begins at 11pm and ends at 5am. The curfew will be pushed back until midnight from 7 June and scrapped altogether on 21 June. From 1 June, indoor dining will be allowed at restaurants until 6pm. Face masks are, for now, still obligatory outside. In yellow zones, people can invite up to four people into their homes, and there are no restrictions on numbers gathering outside.

Mountain lifts will reopen on 22 May. Tourism is crucial to Italy’s economy, accounting for 14% of GDP. Over half a million jobs have been lost in the hospitality industry since the pandemic began, according to a report this week. However, despite the late start to the season in 2020, many places, especially small towns and islands, enjoyed a busy summer. The research institute Demoskopika also painted an optimistic picture for this summer, estimating that at least 39 million foreign and domestic tourists would take trips in Italy, up 12% on last year.

When can I go? On 16 May, Italy dropped Covid-19 quarantine measures for tourists arriving from EU and Schengen area countries, as well as the UK and Israel. The quarantine has also been removed for visitors travelling from the US, Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates on board Covid-tested flights. All tourists will need to provide evidence of a negative result from a test taken 48 hours prior to travelling, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not.

Italy implemented its travel rules before the June launch of the EU’s vaccine passport, to try to salvage its tourism industry. Italian prime minister Mario Draghi said in early May: “The pandemic forced us to close, but Italy is ready to welcome back the world. I have no doubts that tourism to and within Italy will re-emerge stronger than before.”

The FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel to Italy. Angela Giuffrida

Vaccination rate 1st dose: 27%. 2nd dose: 8% Daily cases 171 per million

What’s happening? The semi-lockdown of winter 2020-21 (when cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues were closed) came to an end in March. Since then a set of strict but manageable restrictions has been in place. Partying and festival-going may well be off the agenda, but there is nothing to prevent you from enjoying a holiday.

Masks must be worn in indoor areas, in busy outdoor areas (such as markets and bus stops) and on all public transport. Shops, museums, galleries and the outdoor terraces of cafes and restaurants are open (although there’s no alcohol after 10pm); cultural events are taking place, providing they have an audience of no more than 25. You can eat inside hotel restaurants if you are resident in the hotel. Masks do not have to be worn on cafe-restaurant terraces or on beaches, although you are expected to observe standard distancing rules wherever you are. There are tentative plans to open up clubs and concert venues to the vaccinated, although how this might work in practice remains under discussion. Further relaxations are possible before summer, but precise stages are yet to be decided.

Croatia’s vaccination programme got off to a sluggish start, but with over 36,000 doses now being administered each day (in a population of just over four million) the jab coverage will change dramatically over the next two months.

Tourism accounts for 11.5% of the Croatian economy, but international arrivals were down 55% in 2020, and 2021 will be a make-or-break year for small businesses. With flights from UK airports to the Adriatic coast slowly being restored, many Croats are hoping that vaccinated Brits will come to their rescue this summer.

When can I go? While Croatia will sign up to any new EU measures regarding fully vaccinated visitors, it already has its own, slightly more flexible, rules in place. Arrivals in Croatia need to show either a vaccination certificate showing that the final dose was taken more than 14 days ago, or a negative PCR or antigen test taken 24 hours before arrival. Travellers who arrive without these things can still enter the country, although they will be required to either quarantine for 10 days or pay for a test and remain in self-isolation until the results come through. One important catch: visitors from outside the EU will have to show that they have paid for their accommodation in advance.

The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Croatia. Jonathan Bousfield

This article was corrected on 2 June 2021. An earlier version said all visitors to Italy would need to provide evidence of having been fully vaccinated with an EU-approved vaccine, or of having recovered from the virus, or of having tested negative 48 hours before travelling. In fact, all tourists are required to have had a negative test result regardless of their vaccination status or Covid history.

• Europe holidays
• Coronavirus
• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
• Spain holidays
• Greece holidays
• France holidays
• Croatia holidays

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What happened to the UK green list and which countries can I travel to?

By Abigail Malbon

International travel from England , Wales and Scotland was made legal once again from Monday 17 May (and from Northern Ireland from Monday 24 May) following months of lockdown. A traffic light system featuring green list countries was first introduced, but has since been removed to make travel easier going forward. 

If you're planning a trip, it's incredibly important to make sure you plan ahead; here's what to know. 

What happened to the green list?

The green list and amber list were removed from Monday 4 October in favour of a simple red list and non-red list system. Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced the news on Twitter in September, writing: ‘We’ll also be introducing a new simplified system for international travel from Monday 4 October, replacing the current approach with a single red list and simplified measures for the rest of the world – striking the right balance to manage the public health risk as No.1 priority.’ 

On Friday 18 March, all travel rules within the UK were removed – meaning travellers do not need to test, quarantine or even fill in a passenger locator form, regardless of their vaccination status. 

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all following the travel rules. 

Do I still need to do a test before returning to the UK?

No, all travel restrictions were removed in the UK on Friday 18 March 2022, meaning no-one – not even those who are unvaccinated – needs to take a Covid test before or after returning to the UK. 

Where can I actually travel to?

It's important to remember that just because UK travellers are free to travel without restrictions, they must still follow the rules for other countries. For example, many destinations will require proof of vaccine and a passenger locator form at the very least, with some still requesting a negative PCR test before you can enter. 

Most countries in Europe and the EU are now open to tourists from the UK – particularly those who have had all doses of a coronavirus vaccine. For example, Madeira, Malta , Germany and Croatia all allow tourists to enter. 

It's always best to check the government website before booking anywhere new, as travel rules are constantly changing.

Will the green list come back?

It's unlikely, and there's been no indication from the government that they plan to return to the traffic light system.

Like this? Now read:

Quarantine hotels UK: everything you need to know

Why you should think about booking a holiday now

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Warnings and insurance

This travel advice page also covers the Vatican City.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all of the advice in this guide and and any specific travel advice that applies to you:  

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If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities, and expenses in an emergency.

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