Travel restrictions extended to Croatia and Austria – but lifted for Portugal

The latest changes to the travel rules come amid mounting concern about rising rates of coronavirus in much of Europe. Last week similar restrictions were applied on travel to France, the Netherlands and others, while Spain and Belgium are also among the countries to see quarantine requirements reimposed.

For full help if you're in or have travel planned to any of the affected countries, see your rights when travel restrictions are reimposed. Also see our Spain travel help and France travel help if you've been affected by travel restrictions to these countries. 

How are travel restrictions changing?

Here's what's happening:

• As of 4am on Saturday 22 August, travellers arriving from Croatia, Austria and Trinidad & Tobago WILL have to quarantine for two weeks – but those arriving from Portugal WON'T have to any longer. This includes returning British holidaymakers. Quarantine rules apply if you've visited one of the affected countries, or made a 'transit stop' there (where you can get on or off a coach, plane or ferry) within the past 14 days.
  
  Travellers arriving in Scotland from Switzerland from Saturday onwards will also have to quarantine – though that doesn't apply to travellers arriving in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The rules apply if you go to Scotland and have been in Switzerland at any point in the past 14 days.
  
  
• The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is now warning against all non-essential travel to Croatia, Austria and Trinidad & Tobago – but has lifted its warning for Portugal. An FCO warning is often a key trigger for travel insurance – for example, it means if you decide to travel anyway, your insurance is unlikely to cover you.
  
  
• Brits AREN'T being told to come home early. The FCO is NOT advising UK travellers already in Croatia, Austria or Trinidad & Tobago to cut short their trip and return early at this stage.

The FCO says that 875,000 Brits visited Croatia in 2019, and 980,000 visit Austria each year.