Have you taken a Covid test before travelling to/from Spain? Let us know the details so we can help others - Page 8

My friends returned from Alicante to Stansted on 21 August.  We arranged pre departure antigen tests from Centro de medico de la virgen C / Emilio Castelar, 82, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar Tel. 968 18 12 00.  The cost was €30 each.  You need to book appointments and it takes 20 minutes in all with a printed certificate handed to you before leaving.  They have other offices located in Spain and I highly recommend!

They ordered day 2 tests in UK as double vaccinated from Expert Medical which is recommended on Govt website and on day 4 they have still not arrived.  Cost £28 each.

All info printed off and added to UK Locator form.  No checks at Alicante and non in UK.  Luck of the draw I guess ...

We are going back next Monday so will be completing this expensive palava this weekend ... unless the guidance changes of course ...

Re testing for return to UK from Spain. Prices are all over the place and there’s so many comments in the press about scams. The UK government seem unable/unwilling to control and as always kick the can down the road by passing off the problem to the competition authorities. By the time they investigate and produce their report this Year's holiday season will have well passed. Anyway why should the Gov hurry this as they are raking in 20% VAT!! 

For Day 2 test back in the UK we have used testingforall.org. Price has come down slightly to £48 but still seems one of the best around. The package arrives either on day of arrival or next day. You must register to ensure they can track the sample from you. You post in standard post box (not over the counter) and receive email with result two days later. All very straightforward and have had no issues. 

For Antigen test pre departure from Spain we have used the clinic in Pilar de la Horadada and this week we are going to use Dr Pastora Miguel Alvarez in Pinar Campoverde as she’s just around the corner. Both places charge €35

Hope these details help. 

Hi there I had a Covid test in Calpe before flying back to Wales. Used the Brittania Clinic Calpe. It was a lateral flow and cost 55.00 euros.

 I know I could bring a test with me to Spain and then set up an online appointment via Zoom with the providers. They watch you take the test online and you show results and they then send you the relevant documents to say your test was negative.  However flying into Wales there are a few more hoops to jump through so opted for the more traditional approach with paper proof of our tests. I was able to upload all paperwork to our airline - when we did online check in then our paperwork was validated and boarding passes were provided. We loaded these onto our phones as a lot of carriers prefer mobile proof at present. We only had  hand luggage so got straight through without formal check in. Hope this helps. All tests needed to be pre booked and results were ready in 20 minutes. Leaving us time for lunch 😂.

By the way in Wales as further proof of governments raking it in. We had to order day 2 test via a link on the government website. It is purported to be an NHS test according to our First Minister and therefore more reliable!!!!! Day 2 test cost 88.00 each. A rip off. They still haven’t sent results and we have been home since 11th August so 20 days and counting. I am going to contact them and try to demand a refund. I haven’t done so yet purposely waiting to see how long it would take for any response to be forthcoming.  Suspect now is long enough. We aim to return to Spain soon so will be watching the ongoing requirements. 

I had my test in the airport. Test cost €26 and results plus certificate cane back within 10 minutes. They do advise that it could take longer if they are busy. 

• Assured Screening, Flexspace Business Park, Unit 9, Albion Park, Leeds, LS12 2EJ 
• assuredscreening.com
• PCR in person test; results by email. 
• £79 next day results 
• To Spain 
• No problems but check the small print for the service you require. 

• IMED Torrevieja 
• https://testcoronavirus.imedhospitales.com/inicio?utm_source=web&utm_medium=home
• Antigen 
• 40€ results by text/email in 15 minutes 
• From Spain to UK
• No problems at all. Used several times. Always plenty of appointments. 

Flew Alicante to Stansted this week

Within three days of arrival in UK we hadAntigen test with Quiron Salud at Torrevieja hospital. Pre booked online but you can walk in and wait. 45€. Results within the hour. Downloaded and saved to phone. (GOV guidelines advise on PCR but it’s not mandatory, antigen is acceptable). During boarding the airline requested to see results of antigen test and passenger locator form  

Passenger locator form was straightforward for the UK. As we are double vaccinated we only needed a Day2 test post arrival. Pre booked a drive through test with Randox (selected from the list on gov.uk website). £60 each, results within 24 hours. Site was well manned and efficient. Need to prebook, as the booking reference is required for the passenger locator form. 

Hi, We recently traveled to Alicante Airport from London Gatwick on EasyJet and here is the list of things we needed to do before flying out and also on our return to the UK.

Before leaving the UK:

Step 1.

Went on the Spainsh Gov site ( SPH ) to complete your passenger locator form and enter your name, passport details, flight number, address of where you are staying etc.If you complete the form more than 48 before departure date you must go back on their site to complete the final health questions. Once complete you will be sent a form with a code which you must keep on your phone to show on arrival or print off and take with you. ( They then scan this document on arrival going through the security system )

Step 2.

Make sure you have had your Covid test two days before departing and take proof of your results as this was asked for at the gate just before loading including your two or one Covid jabs showing the dates you had them.

Also need to book a UK return test kit for the two days after your return to the UK and they give you a reference number which you must keep as this must be entered on your return Passenger Locator Form later.

You will not be able to board unless you can show proof of at least your test results for the PCR test. 

So on arrival into ALC airport we had to show our Spanish Locator Form and passport and just before the baggage area they test your body temperature. ( You may be asked to show your PCR test results from the UK )

On Return:

Like the Spanish Locator Form you must complete one for entry back into the UK and suggest going on 48 hours before your flight departure date so you can complete the whole form with health questions and then print out or save on your mobile with the QR code. They require all the same type of details like the Spanish Form but this time you will give the address you are staying when you get home.

Arrange before coming back home and two days before your departure ( NOT BEFORE ) for a company to carry the PCR test which you must take with to the airport to confirm your results. Go onto the UK.GOV sites as this is free for you complete.

We made a mistake last time and forgot to complete the return UK Passenger Locator form and it cost us £45.00 online at the airport to complete each person.

Hope this helps.

Richard Redmond

Hi, 

I booked my pre departure Antigen test with IMED Torrevieja, and my 2nd day return test with Dante Labs. €40 for the antigen and£48 for the PCR. Booked both before I arrived here. I did this when I came to Costa Blanca in July and had no problem then so don't see a problem this time. 

Hola

I’m returning to UK week so had an antigen test at Pau Medical Centre in Pego.  Cost 40 Euro and took about 10 mins in total.  Received a hard copy of proof of test results.

Only hassle is completing necessary forms on line that Ryanair needs to have listed before you fly.  This all changes from 4 Oct thankfully.

I also had to prove that I have booked a test on day 2 after my arrival to UK.  I return tomorrow so wish me luck! 🤞🏼