All the ways to get a refund on your Portugal trip now it’s on the amber list

British tourists hoping to jet off to previously green-listed Portugal were let down last week went the sunny country was bumped down to amber.

This means that holidaymakers will no longer be able to avoid quarantine upon return and that the government advises people do not go unless it is for work or an emergency.

Travel Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the news in the three-week review of countries that are seen as safe to visit.

The rules kick in from tomorrow at 4pm.

If you return after this date you will need to have taken a number of Covid tests and will have to isolate for 10 days.

Mr Shapps told Sky : "I want to be straight with people – this is a difficult decision to make but in the end we've seen two things that's caused concern.

"One is the positivity rate that has nearly doubled since the last review in Portugal.

"The other is there's a sort of Nepal mutation of the Indian variant that's been detected and we just don't know the potential for that to be a vaccine-defeating mutation and simply don't want to take the risk as we come up to June 21 and the review of the fourth stage of the unlock."

It was initially thought that hotspots like Spain and Greece might move to the green list, but this is doubtful after a number of countries were moved from amber to red and green to amber.

Reports suggest that no countries will be moved to the green list this week.

Those who are returning from red list counties will need to quarantine for 10 days in isolation hotels costing up to £1,750 per person.

Meaning that most holidaymakers will need to cancel their bookings.

So, can you get a refund on your Portugal trip?

Well, it all depends on advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

If the FCDO advises that tourists should not travel to Portugal then you are entitled to your money back from package holiday providers.

You aren't entitled to your money back if the the Government simply moves it to the amber list.

If you are unable to travel due to the costs of isolation then you may ned to forfeit your holiday costs.

This is because you've decided not to go on holiday not because the trip has been cancelled by circumstances beyond your control.

But, you should check if your package provider will allow you to postpone or move your holiday.

Martyn James, consumer expert at complaints site Resolver, said: “Remember there’s a big difference between a holiday cancellation and simply not being able to go.

"However, realistically, as you can’t travel, the firm should allow you to change the date of travel, get vouchers or even a full refund."

As flights to amber list countries are unlikely to be cancelled, you'll need to fly or lose the cost of flight, according to Which?.

If you paid by credit card you may get a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Rights Act, as long as it cost between £100 and £30,000.

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Debit or Credit card claims under £100 may also be covered under Chargeback guarantees.

Martyn added that your travel insurance also might not cover holidays that can’t go ahead due to coronavirus.

He said: "As a (very) general rule, insurance covers you for unexpected events or things out of your control, not for changing your mind.

"So if you want to leave a holiday because it looks like the country you are in is going on the red list, you may not be able to claim any costs."

So check the small print of your policy!

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