Expat in UAE

Folks, could someone please suggest the options available to British expats currently living in the UAE to return back to the UK in June/July this summer? As UAE is still on the Red list with no hope in sight, may I know if someone could suggest the best route to get to the UK? I don't want to flout any rules, rather work around the best route (economically) to fly out from Dubai to Birmingham in late June? Turkey has been added to the Red list so this is not an option anymore!. What other options could be to stay in any of the existing Green list European countries (Greece, France, or Italy) to spend 10 nights and then head on to Birmingham? which country is economically viable to stay in for 10 nights? - I don't intend to quarantine in the UK and stay in the dungeon for 10 days.
Thanks in advance.

Benny80

Thats spooky. I unwittingly just asked more or less the same question on this forum. During the time i was typing my query your question has popped up.

I suppose the UK government do not want to encourage travel in general and are probably reluctant to make far out predictions on future status of various countries as things can change (e.g. India)

My plan is basically to wait and see if UAE will be dropped from the Red List.

UKMS

Firstly Greece, France and Italy are not existing green list AFAIK …. They are amber requiring home quarantine, obviously that may change before you go. I’ve booked a direct flight DXB to London in late July on the basis it may change before then if it doesn’t change I’ll look for route options nearer the time.

the problem you have is that any firm plans you might make now could easily fall apart with a rule change. Personally I’d wait until a little nearer the time and see what restrictions are in place.

As you say Turkey is no longer an option also the Maldives ….. some friends of mine went back via Bahrain a few weeks ago but that’s no longer Green.

Millhouse

2 weeks all inclusive in Sri Lanka

Expat in UAE

Thanks, I agree. I should perhaps wait for another couple of weeks.

Expat in UAE

That's right. Let us wait and see.

Thixotropic77

Im having to figure out the same problem. I have a direct flight early July but need to consider an alternative rout as things are unlikely to change?

Is it true that if you stay in an amber country for 10 days, you can then fly into UK and quarantine in your own address rather than a hotel?

They UK govt is expected to review the traffic light countries in 3 weeks. How likely is the UAE to make it off the red list?

csdf

Very unlikely.

Millhouse

I think that’s overly optimistic

UKMS

yes amber let’s you home quarantine and if you have the right amount of tests at your own expense it’s 5 days.

flares

If money no object I'd do the necessary time chilling by the med in Tel Aviv. Can you get to Israel from UAE now everyone's (kerching) mates?

Thixotropic77

In theory yes. i haven't tried and wouldn't mind trying. i think its the best option. that or Portugal or Gibraltar 🤔

UKMS

I was thinking the same as I'd love to visit but its looking decidedly dodgy at the moment.

scrubbedexpat141

I think Portugal is harder to get into than we think.
Gibraltar for 10 days might be a worse option than a Holiday Inn at Heathrow, I think the latter is bigger and has fewer monkeys.
Iceland would be cool.

Otherwise it's the middle of the South Atlantic.

flares

you're not wrong!!

Hamas not happy with my suggestion it appears