UK holidaymakers are waiting with baited-breath to see which vacation hotspots will be on the government's initial green list, expected later this week.

Since March, travel outside the British Isles has been limited to essential reasons only, including work, study and legal obligations - with holidays illegal.

It would mean Brits can holiday in those countries this summer without having to quarantine for two weeks on return, with popular tourist destinations desperate to open their borders.

Ministers are currently finalising the list, and while many travel favourites aren't expected to make the initial cut when non-essential travel is allowed again from May 17 - many are being touted for late June.

Reviews are expected to take place every few weeks, with speculation rife that France, Greece and Spain will be given the green light next month.

Portugal is said to be on the cusp of making the first green list, with Malta, Iceland, Israel, Morocco, Gibraltar and Grenada likely to be included in the first release.

But how easy will it be for Brits to travel abroad? Below we look at the situation in a selection of tourist-heavy destinations.

Brits will be able to go abroad for non-essential travel from May 17 (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)

Spain

A man wearing a face mask is seen opening an umbrella at La Malagueta beach amid coronavirus crisis (
Image:
SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

When are Brits welcome back? The country's tourism minister, Fernando Valdes Verelst previously stated that Brits will be welcome back to Spain in June.

What are the travel rules? Spain hasn't yet confirmed requirements for tourists, although it is looking at digital Covid passports which will allow visitors to prove they are fully vaccinated against Covid.

What's the Covid situation? Cases are decreasing in Spain, with 110 infections per 100,000 people reported in the last seven days. It is reporting 7,423 new infections on average per day, which is 20 percent of its highest figure.

The country is estimated to have administered nearly 15million doses of the Covid vaccine.

Although speculation is rife that it will be given the green light, it could be a contender for the amber list when the destinations are revealed.

Greece

People swarm to cafes and restaurants in Athens following their reopening after six months (
Image:
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

When are Brits welcome back? The country's tourism minister Harry Theoharis said last month that Greece would be welcoming back tourists from May 14. However, he added that this would be dependent on the Covid situation at the time.

What are the travel rules? You won't need to be fully vaccinated, but you will need to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken before travel.

What's the Covid situation? Greece is currently experiencing a third wave of Covid cases, and reported 130 Covid-related deaths in the last 24 hour period - the largest since the pandemic started.

However the Greek islands are currently on a mission to vaccinate their populations in order to be able to welcome Brits back this summer.

When travel corridors were in place, the UK government did allow some travel to the islands at the same time as advising against travel to the mainland, so it could be a similar scenario takes place, Covid cases depending.

France

People in face masks, at Trocadero, in front of the Eiffel tower (
Image:
Getty Images)

When are Brits welcome back? A leaked report at the end of last week said British holidaymakers would be able to go to France from June 9 if they are vaccinated or have a negative Covid test, reported the Telegraph.

What are the travel rules? Arrivals from the UK do not need to justify an essential reason to enter France.

All travellers from the UK, including children aged 11 and above, will need to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test result, carried out less than 72 hours before departure.

Passengers arriving in France from the UK will also be required to self-isolate for seven days on arrival, before taking another PCR test. Exit from this self-isolation period is subject to a negative test result

What's the Covid situation? France is starting to ease itself out of its latest full lockdown. From yesterday, traveling further than 10km from home is permitted again.

Shops, café terraces and cultural venues are expected to start opening their doors again from mid-May.

However, its infection rate remains among the highest in Europe, with almost 6,000 Covid patients in intensive care as of last Thursday.

France has also been reporting an average of 21,716 new cases each day in the latest 7-day average.

Portugal

Visitors walk by the cliff fence on a sunny winter day in Cabo da Roca (
Image:
Corbis via Getty Images)

When are Brits welcome back? Portugal has previously revealed plans to reopen to Brits on May 17, the earliest date foreign travel could resume in the UK.

What are the travel rules? They're not confirmed yet, but Brits make up a significant proportion of Portugal's tourism market, so it's likely tourists could visit without restrictions if they have evidence of being vaccinated, or showing proof of a negative PCR test.

What's the Covid situation? Case numbers in Portugal are decreasing, with the country currently at around 3 percent of its highest rate with a daily average of 402 new infections. It's estimated that over 3.4 million doses of the vaccine have been administered so far.

Italy

People take selfies outside the Colosseum in April (
Image:
REUTERS)

When are Brits welcome back? Prime Minister Mario Draghi has said foreign tourism is likely to resume from June.

What are the travel rules? You must present the airline with a negative Covid-19 rapid antigenic or molecular swab test taken no more than 48 hours before entry into Italy.

Irrespective of your means of travel, upon arrival in Italy from the UK you must also report to the local health authorities and self-isolate for 5 days.

You must also take a molecular or antigenic test at the end of the 5 day self-isolation period

What's the Covid situation? Most of Italy is now in a "yellow zone" which means that bars and restaurants can reopen.

Most students are back at school, and some outdoor cultural events are allowed. A curfew between 10pm and 5am remains in place nationwide and masks are compulsory in all public spaces, indoors and outdoors.

Infections are increasing with 11,370 new infections reported daily, or 32 percent of its highest recorded figure. At least 20,755,863 vaccine doses have been administered.

Cyprus

A beachgoer walks along the shore at Finikoudes beach (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)

When are Brits welcome back? Cyprus' deputy tourism minister Savvas Perdios said that tourists - including Brits - will be welcome back from May 10.

What are the travel rules? You'll need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid (with a 'Digital Green Passport'), or a negative PCR test result that's no older than three days.

What's the Covid situation? Cyprus is currently experiencing a third wave of Covid cases, and is approximately at 64 percent of its highest recorded rate.

There are currently 564 new infections being reported each day.

It's estimated that over 236,000 doses of the Covid vaccine have been administered. It's vaccine programme has seen around 236,265 jabs administered, as of Tuesday morning - that's only 9.9 percent of its population.

Turkey

Shoppers at the Eminonu local bazaar, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Istanbul (
Image:
SEDAT SUNA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

When are Brits welcome back? Turkey recently lifted its flight ban for Brits, as it prepares to welcome back holidaymakers for summer.

What are the travel rules? It will welcome back travellers regardless of their vaccination status. However, all international travellers will be required to show proof of a negative PCR test result.

What's the Covid situation? Turkey is currently in a three-week lockdown as its cases soar, with a daily average of 33,262 new infections being reported. The lockdown is expected to last until May 17.

According to the latest figures, a total of 23,006,734 vaccines have been administered.

Malta

Paradise Bay beach in Cirkewwa (
Image:
Getty Images/Hemis.fr RM)

When are Brits welcome back? Malta is welcoming back Brits from June 1.

What are the travel rules? You'll need to either be fully vaccinated against Covid (that's having received both jabs at least 14 days before travel), or show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.

If you are vaccinated, you won't need to take a test.

What's the Covid situation? Malta is reporting 23 new infections on average each day, 7 percent of its highest rate. It has administered at least 339,727 vaccines.

Croatia

People pack the beach as they sunbathe and swim in Moscenicka draga, near Croatia's western town of Rijeka (
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)

When are Brits welcome back? The country has already reopened its borders to tourists.

What are the travel rules? You'll need to show proof of either a full Covid vaccine, a negative PCR test result, a negative antigen test or confirmation of recovery from Covid-19 within 180 days.

There will be some other requirements for Brits such as needing to show confirmation of booked accommodation and needing to fill out an online form before you travel.

What's the Covid situation? The average number of new infections reported in Croatia has been decreasing for 12 days straight. It is reporting an average of 1,783 new infections each day. That’s 49 percent of the highest figure recorded.

At least 908,839 vaccine doses have been dished out - the equivalent of 11.2 percent of its population.

Dominican Republic

Bavaro Beach, Bavaro, Higuey, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (
Image:
Getty Images)

When are Brits welcome back? As soon as the UK lifts its restrictions - so May 17 at the earliest.

What are the travel rules? There is no need to show proof of a negative PCR test result, or a Covid vaccine. However arrivals will need to have their temperature checked, and may be subject to random testing.

What's the Covid situation? There is a nationwide curfew in place between 10pm to 5am on weekdays, and from 9pm to 5am on weekends. It is reporting 325 new infections on average each day, 19 percent of the highest rate and has administered at least 1,982,185 vaccines.

Iceland

Tourists at Rangarping waterfall in Iceland (
Image:
SWNS.com)

Iceland has already welcomed vaccinated Brits with no restrictions - for those without the jab, there are still restrictions such as quarantine and Covid testing.

When are Brits welcome back? Iceland has already reopened its borders to vaccinated Brits with no restrictions

What are the travel rules? If you haven't been fully vaccinated, there are still restrictions such as quarantine and requirements for Covid test results.

From May 1 the country will allow visitors from what it deems 'low risk areas' to be exempt from quarantine if they can show proof of a negative Covid-19 test result.

What's the Covid situation? Iceland has been vaccinating its population and has relatively low Covid case numbers, reporting a daily average of 7 new daily infections, which is just 9 percent of its record daily rate. It's vaccinated about 20 percent of its population.

Maldives

A beach in Thulusdhoo, Male, Maldives (
Image:
Getty Images/Aurora Open)

When are Brits welcome back? The Maldives are already open to foreign tourists.

What are the travel rules? You will need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel. However, the islands recently announced that this requirement has been lifted for vaccinated guests.

The Maldives also previously revealed plans to offer Covid vaccines to tourists on arrival, although no start date for this has been confirmed.

What's the Covid situation? The Maldives are seeing an increase in cases with around 446 new infections reported each day. Previously the UK government has allowed for travel to the islands, as the resorts are socially distanced in nature, so a similar scenario could be in place under the traffic light system.