Malta to welcome back vaccinated British holidaymakers from 1 June

Vaccinated travellers will no longer need to get tested

The island nation is perfect for a spring trip (Getty/iStock)

Malta is the latest European nation to declare that British holidaymakers will be welcome this summer, so long as they have been fully vaccinated.

From 1 June, tourists from the UK who can show proof that they have had both coronavirus jabs at least 10 days prior to arrival are no longer required to present a negative Covid PCR test.

Passengers will need to show a vaccination card when boarding to travel to Malta.

Malta is second only to the UK in Europe when it comes to the proportion of adults who have received their first dose of the vaccine – currently 40 per cent.

Tolene Van Der Merwe, director UK & Ireland of Malta Tourism Authority, said: “Malta is a very popular destination for British holidaymakers and is a key contributor to Malta’s economy, so we are excited to welcome back fully vaccinated travellers from the United Kingdom from 1 June 2021.

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“The people of Malta are looking forward to tourists returning who have loved our sunshine, culture, food and warm spirit year in year out.”

Clayton Bartolo, Malta’s Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection, added: “The health and safety of Maltese citizens and tourists will always be our top priority, and with the continued rollout of the vaccine here in Malta, this focused reopening plan is designed to slowly and safely reopen tourism to fully vaccinated Britons.”

The UK is currently on Malta’s “Red List” of countries, which means non-vaccinated travellers cannot enter the country.

However, this may have changed by 1 June. If the UK moves down to the “Amber” tier, Brits who haven’t been vaccinated may enter as long as they present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.

All international leisure travel is currently illegal in the UK, with 17 May the earliest date at which restrictions could ease in England.

Malta joins Greece, Cyprus and Portugal in giving a firm date for when holidays might be possible for inoculated British travellers.

Further afield, countries including Georgia and the Seychelles have already thrown open their doors to fully vaccinated visitors.