Travel update UK: which countries are on the green, amber and red list after the latest government announcement?

The Portuguese Azores are among the countries being added to the government’s green travel list.

Seven new countries will be on the green list, while two will be added to red, meaning anyone returning from there will need to book a costly quarantine stay for 11 days.

The latest update comes after last month’s saw the Balearic Islands move from green to amber, and the requirement to self-isolate on return from amber list countries was dropped for the fully vaccinated.

The changes will take effect from 4am Monday (30 August).

Scotland and Northern Ireland will adopt the same updated rules, though the Welsh devolved government has yet to confirm whether it will follow suit.

Which countries will move to green, amber and red lists?

The Azores, Switzerland, Canada and Denmark are all to be added to the green list, as well as Finland, Liechtenstein and Lithuania.

This means that the government will allow people to travel to the UK from these destinations without any Covid restrictions.

However, some of the countries, including Canada, are imposing their own restrictions on foreign travellers.

The government has said that these countries have been added to the green list as the risk that travel from them poses to public health is low.

However, due to concerns over increased case rates, both Thailand and Montenegro have been added to the red travel list.

The only people able to travel to the UK from red list countries are British or Irish nationals, or anyone with residence rights in the UK.

Before travelling to England from a red list country you must take a Covid test in the three days before travel and book a quarantine hotel package.

Once you arrive in England you will then need to quarantine in a managed hotel for 11 days and take the mandatory Covid tests, at a cost of over £2000.

You will also be required to fill out a passenger locator form.

Returnees from countries on the amber travel list must take a Covid test in the three days before travel, plus a test after arrival as well as filling out a passenger locator form.

These rules apply to anyone, including those who have been fully vaccinated in the UK, EU or US, and those aged under 18.

For those who are not fully vaccinated, there is still a requirement to self-isolate at home for 10 days and take two Covid tests once in the UK after returning from an amber list country.

Which countries are on the Green list?

As of 4am on Monday 30 August, there will be 45 countries on the green travel list, although 16 are on the ‘Green watchlist’ of countries which are at risk of moving from green to amber.

The full list of countries on the green travel list is below.

• Anguilla: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Antarctica/British Antarctic Territory: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Antigua and Barbuda: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Austria  
• Australia  
• The Azores: Currently on the amber list. Will move to the green list 4am, Monday 30 August. If you arrive in England before then you must follow the amber list rules.
• Mainland Portugal is on the amber list.
• Barbados: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Bermuda: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• British Indian Ocean Territory: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Brunei
• Bulgaria  
• Canada: Currently on the amber list. Will move to the green list 4am, Monday 30 August. If you arrive in England before then you must follow the amber list rules.
• Cayman Islands: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Croatia: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Denmark: Currently on the amber list. Will move to the green list 4am, Monday 30 August. If you arrive in England before then you must follow the amber list rules.
• Dominica: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Falkland Islands  
• Faroe Islands  
• Finland: Currently on the amber list. Will move to the green list 4am, Monday 30 August. If you arrive in England before then you must follow the amber list rules.
• Germany  
• Gibraltar  
• Grenada: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Hong Kong  
• Iceland  
• Israel and Jerusalem:Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Latvia  
• Liechtenstein: Currently on the amber list. Will move to the green list 4am, Monday 30 August. If you arrive in England before then you must follow the amber list rules.
• Lithuania: Currently on the amber list. Will move to the green list 4am, Monday 30 August. If you arrive in England before then you must follow the amber list rules.
• Madeira: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Mainland Portugal and the Azores are on the amber list.
• Malta
• Montserrat: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• New Zealand  
• Norway  
• Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Romania
• Singapore  
• Slovakia  
• Slovenia  
• South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands  
• St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha  
• Switzerland: Currently on the amber list. Will move to the green list 4am, Monday 30 August. If you arrive in England before then you must follow the amber list rules.
• Taiwan : Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.
• Turks and Caicos Islands: Green watchlist – at risk of moving from green to amber.