Politicians from Italy, France and Austria have outlined plans for easing of restrictions in May and June to enable overseas holidaymakers to return.

Italy’s prime minister Mario Draghi said the country will introduce its own immunisation pass system in mid-May.

The Telegraph reported this would allow travellers to visit to Italy without the need to quarantine if they can prove that they have recovered from Covid, been vaccinated or tested negative.

It is not yet clear how the pass would be made available to British holidaymakers.

Italy is expected to be on the ‘amber list’ when the UK government reveals its traffic light system for overseas travel – so holidaymakers would need to self-isolate on their return.

The European Union plans to introduce a digital health pass for travellers but it is not expected to be available until June.

Meanwhile, British and foreign tourists with a health pass – either proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test – will be able to visit France again from June 9, according to the Telegraph.

France is starting to lift lockdown measures during May with a return to near-normal by June 30, said the newspaper.

Elsewhere, coronavirus tests in Austria will be made free for foreigners in order to boost tourism, reported the Telegraph.

The country already offers free tests for Austrian citizens and residents.

Much of Europe is expected to feature on the amber list when the traffic light categories are revealed later this week, which fewer than 10 destinations initially on the green list.

• The Portuguese archipelago of Madeira is offering one free PCR Covid-19 test per visitor, to be taken on arrival or departure, with results within 24 hours.

It previously offered a free test at the airport just on arrival.

Visitors who have been vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 do not require testing.