Latest travel to UK from Spain requirements re covid - Page 7

From 04.00 hours on 07 December, you will need to take a PCR test before leaving Spain. 

The Government website states a cheaper pre departure Lateral flow test is also acceptable in England.

The test required after arriving has changed from a lateral flow test to a PCR.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#changes-to-pre-departure-testing-from-4am-tuesday-7-december-2021

We have been back to the UK 3 times this year and for the Day 2 PCR test have used Expert Medicals .The last 2 tests I ordered were £20 each including postage .The test kits are ordered on line posted out and return postage is included.They are compliant with UK Government  regulations.We now have to get fit to fly tests pre departure which in our area are from 30 euros each.Posting this as it may be useful to others travelling back which is getting expensive,especially for families.

While we have been here we've had 2 changes. First change was from Lateral flow tests to PCR for day 2 test when arrive home they cost £48 each (but got LFT charge of £17 each refunded). Then 2nd change having to get Lateral Flow Tests to fly back to UK at cost of €40 each at IMED, Torrevieja. You have to have LFT starting from 4am Tuesday 7th December and we fly off at 12 o'clock same day.   Missed the time line by 8 hrs.😤

Yes we have been caught by the change .We have had no problems after using Expert Medicals twice before .I think they are quite competitive for a PCR test .Ours were delivered 3 days after ordering by DPD. However under the new rules we will need to self isolate until we have the test results.Therefore using this method now may be too reliant on the postal service.

https://www.expert-medicals.co.uk/collections/navigation

Quick update for anyone anxious about travelling under the new guidelines.

Admittedly we didn't have to test before leaving Spain but everything else was fine.

Alicante checking with 2 cases was great. They checked vaccine passport and gave us a slip confirming this.

Security was moving well with no need to pay for speedy checking.

Notices on board said go to passport control.  Our passports were checked on the scanner then we went to a booth where we had our passports stamped with exit stamp. Then when gate info came up we were processed and counted on.

On arrival at Liverpool they had 8 manned (and womanned) desks and we were through in no time. 

Straight home to do PCRs. Got them in the box this morning and quite enjoying the fact that i have to stay in as it's letting me get organised and hopefully write my cards and get a Christmas shopping  list knocked out.7

Great everything went smoothly for you. Hope our journey tomorrow goes just as good!!!

Hi,

    I think you may have been lucky using ExpertMedicals, their reviews on Trustpilot do not make good reading:

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.expert-medicals.co.uk

The attached from WHICH in the UK has some good advice and feedback on a number of companies:

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/11/travel-news-cheap-pcr-covid-19-test-discount-randox-express-test-c19-expert-medicals/#%20Expert%20Medicals

As there is a need to self isolate until test results are received I would recommend looking for a company that has good feedback on the reliability of their service.

Aitch.

we too have just travelled to and back from England before new regs with Ryanair, needed Covid passport and PLform, paperwork was skimmed through and piece paper given to prove it had been checked, told to take good care of it but no one else asked to see it,  did our PCR test at Manchester with Randox at 13.40h and had results by 3.15am, so less than one day needed to isolate

on return journey, needed Spanish health form QR code and covid passport, paperwork checked at Ryan Air desk, slip of paper given, again no one asked to see it, needed to show covid passport to board, and going through passport control, then QR code scanned before we could go through to baggage reclaim or exit

lots paperwork but quite efficient and not too many delays in checking paperwork

I can only speak from personal experience and some friends who have also used them without a problem.Your Which links are helpful with some other economic options.

The problem with many review sites is people who have had an issue are likely to complain and it is less likely for people to bother to issue a positive review.

The Trustpilot information that is missing and would be interesting to know  is what are the total number of test kit orders have been issued by this company. 

I only included the link as it would be an economic option for many people.

As the postal tests are open to all sorts of issues as they are self administered.

My own view regarding testing in the UK is a means for Government to collect data and make overseas travel less attractive.

I believe Spain still does not require a pre-departure test and it would be interesting how that has affected transmission rates in Spain on entries from the UK.