It's safe to say that all of us are tired of what seems like an endless winter this year; any sign of bright sky or sunshine is soon followed by a dip in temperature and the need to turn on the heating as May draws near. If you're hoping to get away from the gloomy weather and enjoy some summertime sunshine overseas, you need become acquainted with the travel regulations of the nation you intend to visit.

Many people will be travelling abroad for some leisure and relaxation as summer draws near. Spain, France, Greece, Italy, and Portugal are among the frequently visited locations. Check any rules before you travel to avoid any problems.

The Foreign Office regularly updates its guidance on what tourists need to know in advance of heading out of the country. Below, we've pulled out some of the key bits of advice including passport requirements, as reported by Liverpool Echo.

Passport requirements

For all of the above destinations, passport rules are largely the same. Before you are allowed to jet off, your passport must be:

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)

• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

Check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before October 1, 2018, then extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel. The authorities in the country you are visiting set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the local embassy or consulates in the UK.

Do I need a visa?

You can typically travel to Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece without a visa. The countries fall into what is known as the Schengen area of the EU which grants travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.

This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training. The area covers 26 countries in total which are all listed on the GOV.UK website.

Vaccination requirements

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Italy. Advice for Spain, Portugal, France, and Greece all state: "Countries may restrict travel or bring in rules at short notice. Check with your travel provider for changes."