France travel restrictions eased in latest 'traffic light' system shake-up – fully vaccinated holidaymakers WON'T have to quarantine on their return

Those returning to the UK from France have faced extra restrictions since 19 July, when France was excluded from the normal amber list rules and turned 'amber plus'. It's meant all travellers returning from France have had to self-isolate for 10 days and take an additional 'day 8' Covid test, regardless of vaccination status.

But the UK, Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh governments have confirmed that these extra restrictions are to be lifted for fully vaccinated travellers from 4am on Sunday 8 August. Those who haven't been fully vaccinated will still have to self-isolate.

Other changes announced to the traffic light system, all also effective from Sunday 8 August, include:

• Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Romania and Norway will be added to the green list.

• India, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will be moved from the red to the amber list.

• Georgia, Mexico, La Reunion and Mayotte will go on the red list.

Of course, when it comes to international travel at the moment, traffic lights are only half the story, as they only determine the rules for your return. The other big question is whether the country you're going to will let you in. For example, France currently only lets in holidaymakers who are double-vaccinated (or under-18s travelling with them). For more help, see our list of the big holiday destinations' entry requirements.

Spain remains on the amber list – but the Government now advises using a PCR test before returning

Despite a lot of speculation that Spain would be moved to the red list, it is not moving between categories and remains amber for now. But the Government is now advising those returning from Spain to use a PCR test as their pre-departure test "wherever possible". It says this is intended as a precaution against rising cases in the popular holiday destination.

However, other types of tests, such as the generally cheaper rapid antigen tests, WILL still be accepted provided they meet the performance standards set out in the rules.

For help cutting the cost of tests for travel, see our Cheap Covid Tests guide.

Hotel quarantine for 'red list' travel will become more expensive

Since February, most people arriving in the UK from a red list country have had to book a stay in a managed quarantine hotel for 10 days. Currently, this costs £1,750 for a solo traveller, but will increase to £2,285 from 12 August. The table below shows how rates will change in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland – Wales is yet to announce any changes.

How the traffic light lists work

As part of the 'traffic light' system of rules on international travel, countries are placed into one of three categories. This table sets out the current position (with the upcoming 8 August changes highlighted):