Latest Government Advice & Traffic Light System
The government’s ‘traffic light system’ for international travel, sets out the measures required for travel to the UK, assigning all countries a colour based category.
All Breakfree Holidays’ European destination countries have currently been classified as ‘Amber’.
From 19th July arrivals into England from an amber list country will no longer have to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated 14 days or more prior to returning. We are still waiting to hear whether Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland will introduce similar measures.
Children aged 5-17 years of vaccinated parents will also not be required to self-isolate when travelling back from amber countries, however they will need to take a PCR test on their return to the UK.
We’ve summarised below the measures in place for each traffic light category, including the reduced requirements for Amber countries if you have been fully vaccinated.
| Measures from 19th July | Green – All Travellers | Amber – Vaccinated Travellers | Amber – Unvaccinated Travellers | Red – All Travellers |
| Pre-departure Test within 72 hours of leaving UK | Varies by destination country – see FCDO | Varies by destination country – see FCDO | Varies by destination country – see FCDO | Varies by destination country – see FCDO |
| Take an antigen (rapid flow) test in your destination, 72 hours before journey home | Yes, anyone 11 years and over | Yes, anyone 11 years and over | Yes, anyone 11 years and over | Yes, anyone 11 years and over |
| Passenger Locator Form 48 hours before you’re due to return to UK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PCR Testing after you get home (5 years +) | On or before day 2 | On or before day 2 | On or before day 2 & day 8 | On or before day 2 & day 8 |
| Self-isolation at home | No | No | Yes, for 10 days, unless you opt for the ‘test to release’ scheme | No, hotel quarantine required instead |
| Managed Quarantine at hotel | No | No | No | Yes for 10 days |
| Test to Release – option for additional PCR test early | N/A | N/A | On day 5 | No |
| Is my holiday going ahead? | Your holiday is planned to go ahead | Your holiday is planned to go ahead | Your holiday is planned to go ahead | Your holiday will not go ahead if a destination is in this category 3 weeks before departure |
| Option for no fee amend to an alternative date or destination in 2021* | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Option for no fee booking transfer to 2022* | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
FCDO Advice & Destination entry requirements
The FCDO are currently advising against leisure travel to Amber destinations, but this is expected to change to being permitted from 19th July.
Before travelling, please be aware that some of our destination countries have entry requirements that may affect you, particularly if you have not been fully vaccinated 14 days before you travel. We’re keeping a close eye on arrival restrictions in all countries, but rules can change at any time, so we recommend visiting the FCDO website for the latest information.
Sign up for FCDO travel advice email alerts, so you automatically receive the latest travel advice updates and travel requirements for the destinations you want to know about.
* If your holiday is affected by additional entry requirements, then your holiday operator will be in touch to discuss your options at least three weeks before your departure.
2021 BOOKING CHANGES
What if my holiday plans are affected due to Coronavirus/Covid-19?
If the FCDO advises against travel to your destination you will be contacted by your holiday operator at least three weeks before your departure date to give you the option of an alternative holiday this year or in 2022, or a full refund.
What if I decide I don’t want to travel?
We understand you may be apprehensive about future travel. If our holidays are operating as normal and no FCDO travel restriction is in place when you depart, your holiday will be subject to normal booking conditions and cancellation charges will apply.
As part of the Peace of Mind Promise, you can amend your booking to an alternative date or destination in 2021. Plus, if your destination country is categorised as Amber, Red, or ‘Green Watchlist’ you also have the option to transfer your booking to 2022.
Can I cancel if I need to self-isolate or quarantine on arrival in my destination?
At 3 weeks before departure if a destination requires people to quarantine when they arrive in the country – and there is no option to avoid a quarantine period by providing evidence of a negative COVID-19 test – you’ll be entitled to cancel with a full refund, or transfer to an alternative holiday.
Can I cancel based on the requirements for testing and/or the need to self-isolate or quarantine on return to the UK?
If you decide to not go ahead with your holiday due to any of the requirements when you return to the UK, the options available to you vary according to the Traffic Light colour category of your destination country.
Can I amend my booking to a later date?
If you are concerned about travelling on your current holiday dates you can amend your holiday to a later date in 2021 without paying any amendment fees or losing any money you’ve paid*. Please contact our team to see what your amended holiday pricing and availability will be. Holidays including travel services are subject to a suppliers conditions and may include an amendment fee.
If your destination country is categorised as Amber, Red or ‘Green Watchlist’ you also have the option to transfer your booking to next year*.
If you transfer your holiday to 2022 within 6 weeks of your scheduled 2021 departure date, then should you later decide to cancel your 2022 holiday, we will need to carry forward the minimum cancellation charge that applies on the day you transfer. Minimum charges will be as follows:
| Number of days before your 2021 holiday you transferred to 2022 | Minimum cancellation charge as a % of holiday cost if you later cancel your 2022 holiday* |
| 42 days or more | Loss of deposit |
| 41 – 29 days | 30% (if greater than deposit) |
| 28 – 21 days | 50% |
| 20 – 11 days | 70% |
| 10 days or less | 100% |
*Total holiday cost excludes insurance premiums, amendment fees, train and flight costs and any non refundable ferry deposits. Please note, the holiday transfer option is not available for promotional bookings.
My 2021 booking was transferred from last year. Can I have a refund if it’s cancelled?
If your holiday is cancelled due to FCDO travel restrictions, you will be entitled to a refund.
If you no longer want to travel in 2021 you can choose to cancel your booking subject to the minimum cancellation charge agreed when you transferred your booking back in 2020. This charge will be based on the cancellation charges that applied on the day you transferred your holiday in 2020, detailed in the following table:
| Number of days before your 2021 holiday you transferred to 2022 | Minimum cancellation charge as a % of holiday cost if you later cancel your 2022 holiday* |
| More than 84 days | Loss of deposit |
| 29 – 84 days | 50% |
| 22 – 28 days | 70% |
| 14 – 21 days | 90% |
| Less than 14 days | 100% |
*Total holiday cost excludes deposit paid, insurance premiums, amendment fees, train and flight costs and any non refundable ferry deposits.
If you want to transfer your holiday to 2022, you can do so without loss of any monies paid. In this situation, should you later decide to cancel, the same minimum cancellation charge will now be carried over to your 2022 transferred holiday. If you’re unsure what your minimum cancellation charge is please contact our team who can advise you.
Do I have to pay my balance for my upcoming booking?
Final balance can now be paid at six weeks rather than our usual twelve weeks. And our cancellation terms will not start until six weeks before you depart either, unless you transferred your 2020 holiday to 2021 and carried over cancellation charges.
If there is no FCDO guidance against leisure travel to your destination 6 weeks prior to your departure date, your balance will need to be paid at this point.
If the FCDO is advising against leisure travel to your destination when your balance is due, but you wish to hold on to your booking in the hope the FCDO and traffic light advice improves, or you wish to proceed with your holiday against the current FCDO advice, you will need to pay any remaining balance for your holiday. We still guarantee a full refund if your holiday is later cancelled because the FCDO advice is still against non-essential travel and/or there’s an official requirement to isolate at your destination upon arrival.
I’ve booked my travel arrangements myself separately but they have been changed/cancelled by the operator. Can I cancel without penalty?
If you choose to cancel due to changes with your travel arrangements (such as flights or ferry travel) made with another company, you will incur cancellation charges. To avoid any penalties, you could transfer your accommodation booking to later in the year or to 2022.
THE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE
What measures will the parks take to keep people safe?
All parks have introduced enhanced cleaning and social distancing to keep our guests safe. Please also refer to our COVID guarantee.
How will my holiday experience be different? Will there be any restrictions in place on the holiday parc?
At this stage it’s a little early to confirm all the measures that will be in place on every park, but we’ll follow all local guidelines, and review our processes on a regular basis.
Based on the experience in 2020, we expect parks will ensure social distancing is adhered to, and will maintain the enhanced cleaning routines introduced.
Individual parks may adapt their facilities and procedures to keep guests and staff as safe as possible.
COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS
Do children need to take the various tests to go on holiday?
The lateral flow test required within 72 hours of returning to the UK are only needed for those aged 11 and over. However, the PCR test(s) required once home in the UK are needed for children aged 5 and over.
Your destination country is likely to also require a test to enable your entry to that country. Each country will set their own requirements. This may mean children might have to do a test.
Will I need a vaccine certificate to travel?
You may have read that there is a possibility that some countries will require proof of a vaccination before travel. As it stands, no country has officially announced this requirement, and the most up to date information on entry requirements for the country you are travelling to can be found on the FCDO website.
In the meantime, if you download the NHS app it will show your vaccination status or whether you’ve recently tested negative. The UK government is still working on the update of the app and to ensure it will be internationally recognised.
We booked one accommodation with people from different households. What if this is forbidden in the country we go to?
If you are unable to share your accommodation with another household then the holiday provider will contact you to discuss options, which could include removing some of the party from your booking, or booking another accommodation.
We will travel by car with people from different households. What if this is forbidden in the country we go to?
If this is the case, the holiday provider will contact you to discuss options, including either reducing your booking to one household, or adding another ferry crossing.
What happens if I have a positive result within 72 hrs of my holiday starting?
We recommend you arrange adequate insurance cover for this kind of scenario, purchased at the time you book. All insurance policies vary so we recommend clarifying what cover is provided for this situation with your insurance company.
If you don’t already have cover, you can find out more information about our trusted partner here.
What happens if we go on holiday and our return home test is positive? Where do we self-isolate? Who pays?
Your holiday operator will do what they can to support and guide you in these circumstances. We strongly advise that you arrange adequate insurance cover from the time you book your holiday.
All insurance policies vary so we recommend clarifying what cover is provided for situations arising due to Coronavirus with your insurance company.
If you don’t already have cover, you can find out more information about our trusted partner here.
What if my vaccine date is scheduled during my holiday, can I cancel with full refund?
Cancellation charges would still apply if you need to cancel for this reason. Some insurers may provide cover for this situation, so we recommend checking with your travel insurance company to check what help may be available.
As part of the Peace of Mind Promise, you can amend your booking to an alternative date or destination at any point up to 7 days before your departure date, without loss of any monies paid.