PCR TEST

Border control in Spain checks PCR test documentation at random, with the threat of a huge fine (EUR5000 I think) if you don't have it.  I don't think many people will treat this lightly and to my mind it's a very effective way of minimising delays on arrival. 

Very good point but that would take a minute to view and months to stop Covid 19 spreading.

We also spoke  to a persons who works in Spain and have travelled back regular and  bearing in mind the low volumes of traffic , and not one had been  checked either! this may have been a good time to check a few at least.

Many thanks

Neil

They do check a few, at random.  What matters is whether people have had a negative test or not, not whether their paperwork has been checked.

This I find very concerning, especially as we will have jumped through expensive hoops to get back to the U.K. with this ferry company end of March.

Not to have checked passengers had the mandatory PCR test is appalling and a gross dereliction of their duty, which puts at risk their ferry employees and me returning on the same ferry they came on. Little wonder that infection rates are going up in France.

As for the Spanish immigration not checking as well it beggars belief.

Not surprising,typical of the Spanish authorities,we have travelled twice, never checked any paperwork,guy on return journey the last time looked in the car and asked "You have form?" I replied 'Yes" and away we went.

Gunner or anyone, 

Can I ask a couple of questions as I'm travelling the same route as you soon. 

For Spain, can you have either of pcr or the cheaper lateral flow test. And when does the 72 start from, is it the time one took the test or when you get your test result. 

Thanks for sharing your experience. 

Would you have said 'Yes' if you didn't have the form? Knowing that there would be a massive fine if the official then decided to check it? I don't think many people would take this risk, at least no more than would fake the paperwork if everyone's papers were to be checked.

Requirements are clearly spelled out here https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain.

If LAMP or TMA tests are now available in the UK then you can use them.  The PCR was the only choice when we travelled.

72 hours is the time between taking the test and arrival in Spain, so quite tight to comply with if you are travelling by ferry.

Not the point really, these people are there to ensure people are crossing these borders with the correct papers etc,therefore they should be doing so.

What if people did take a chance and they were carrying  the virus.

When you pass through an airport passport control do they just randomly stop people to check their papers etc are in order?