PCR testing for Spain - Coronavirus discussion in Rojales: Covid-19 news and updates - Rojales forum - Costa Blanca forum in the Alicante province of Spain
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
Expat Services
Villa Guardians
interior building work
AA Free English TV
POSITIVE BELIEFS
Gran Alacant Insurances
Gentlevan Removals
Thy Will Be Done
Blacktower Financial Management
Car Key Solutions
Espana Dream Properties
ASSSA Insurance
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
The Cats Whiskers

PCR testing for Spain

AlexPosted by Alex on Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:39pm in Coronavirus discussion
7 replies2495 views6 members subscribed

The following has been sent to us by Marcliff:

1. As from the 23rd November, all arrivals by sea or air to Spain will require a PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival.

The test required is specified as PCR(RT-PCR de COVID 19). Diagnostic tests won't be accepted and these include rapid antigen, rapid antibody or Serologies (ELISA, CLIA, ECLIA).

2. The test must be carried out with 72 hours of arrival in Spain. That is, when you arrive in Spain by sea or air the test certificate must be dated no more than 72 hours previously.

3. Arrivals from all EU countries except for some parts of Finland, Norway and Greece must show have this test, That includes NI, Scotland, Wales, England or any of the islands that make up the British Isles. The full list is given in the BOE which can be found on the Daily Updates threads. Any countries added or deleted to this list will be published in a BOE and the Daily Updates thread will be updated.

4. All arrivals will require this test. That includes residents, non-residents, home owners, citizens of Spain - in fact - all arrivals in Spain and a NIE, TIE, padron certificate, payer of taxes etc will not exempt you from this test.

5. The test is for everyone coming in by Seaport or airport. It is not required if you come in by land in a car, on a bike, on foot, in a bus or a train or any other form of land transport. Considering some 9,000 people cross the 1.8km border with Gibraltar every day and then add those from Portugal, France, Andorra then you can see Spain does not have anywhere near enough officials to check everyone and, besides, you will already have had to have gone through the other country's procedure and rules to enter Spain.

Article continues below

6. Certificates must be original in paper format but can be stored digitally onto a mobile phone or tablet or whatever. It would seem email copies are not permitted.

7. These tests are required for those entering Spain. You do not need a test if you are traversing one region to another because you would already be in Spain. You will not need on to travel to the Canary Islands or the Balearic Islands from Spain because you are already in Spain. Nor will you need one if travelling from those places to mainland Spain. You will also not need one if you are transiting Spain to another country by sea or air. If your ferry or airplane lands in Spain and you are en route outside Spain then you will be classed as an international traveller and won't require one as you won't be leaving the arrival port. If you clear customs or immigration then you will require one.

8. If you are travelling to the Canary Islands, you cannot book into a hotel without the certificate. The hotels there require a test for everyone over 7 years old but everywhere else requires a test for everyone regardless of age so even children will require one to enter Spain.

9. Yes, you may find it difficult to get a test 72 hours before you come to Spain and, yes, Christmas will make it worse. Just because you are finding it difficult will not be an excuse because you will be breaking the law if you attempt to enter Spain by Sea or Air without one. However, if you find you can't get a test then you have a couple of choices. Stay where you are or go somewhere else. The final choice is to alter your arrival dates so you can get the test 72 hours before arrival.

10. There is no indication that the test can be taken on arrival nor are there any references to being able to take it or facilities for doing so on arrival.

11. If you are transiting through another country to come to Spain by road, make sure you check the restrictions on travel in that country first. Some require mandatory quarantine whilst others allow travel for specified reasons like returning to main place of residence. UK, at the moment, doesn't allow foreign travel outside UK except for specified reasons. There are already reports of drivers being fined at the ferry ports and the tunnel for trying to travel without having a legal reason to do so and being turned back. Visiting a second home, visiting relatives (unless they are disabled and require your special assistance) or looking for some sun are not legal reasons. Those reasons can be found on the UK advice to travellers page along with updates.



Written by

Alex

Alex

Admin

Super helpful member

Posts: 5630

1643 helpful points

Location: Rojales

Joined: 16 Jan 2015

G1971

Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 6:59pm

Posts: 13

4 helpful points

Location: Playa Flamenca

Joined: 25 Mar 2019

Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 6:59pm

Thank-you for your helpful reply...does 5 year old need to take the test??

elinspain

Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:36pm

elinspain

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 3398

4358 helpful points

Location: La Mata

Joined: 4 May 2018

Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:36pm

G1971 wrote on Sat Nov 21, 2020 6:59pm:

Thank-you for your helpful reply...does 5 year old need to take the test??

Hi

That's a good question, I've read the guide again & it doesn't specifically mention children being exempt, just  states,  a couple of times  "All arrivals" . . . . .

Elinspain

sheilaheggarty

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2020 10:29am

sheilaheggarty

Helpful member

Posts: 156

204 helpful points

Location: La Mata

Joined: 5 Sep 2020

Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2020 10:29am

G1971 wrote on Sat Nov 21, 2020 6:59pm:

Thank-you for your helpful reply...does 5 year old need to take the test??

See section 8 . This was taken from a post on this thread 

Advertisement - posts continue below

Jimmyone

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2020 12:06pm

Posts: 82

40 helpful points

Location: Cocentaina

Joined: 16 Nov 2019

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2020 12:06pm


I was hoping to go to Tenerife at Xmas,

Apart from all the uncertainty around covid, I have been researching how to get a PCR Test.

Spanish government saying test must be at the most 72 hours Prior to arriving

I have checked various places where I can get a test.

firstly Boots the chemist.

£ 120 , they are saying 48 hour turnaround ????  AT XMAS TIME  ???

Another on line sight sends you a testing kit BY MAIL ???...AT XMAS !!!

You then send it back by MAIL , then you will receive your result by email  .

I have found a local STI clinic who are doing the test, where I will have to make an appointment for three days before I fly  , again a bit tight time wise  !!

I don't mind paying the cost of the test, that's a price I can handle.

But anyone wanting to fly from UK around December 23rd onwards ...its going to be chaos .

I'm still staying positive,  . I love my Two weeks over Xmas and New Year, as I have been doing for the last 15 years.... So heres hoping.

I want to fly out on Thursday morning of the 17th,  which means I will need to get the ball rolling on Monday 14th...its gonna be tight  !

I feel reall sorry for all the small businesses, hotels etc. who are suffering out there, its a real shame.

Donna01

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:04am

Posts: 2

Location: Benidorm

Joined: 16 Jan 2021

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:04am

Hi I know its along way of but we coming to benidorm  1st oct 2021 fingers crossed but we want to know where to go in benidorm  to get pcr test for when we go bk home to UK please 

Donna01

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:06am

Posts: 2

Location: Benidorm

Joined: 16 Jan 2021

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:06am

Hi I know it's a long way off but we are coming to benidorm 1st oct 2021 fingers crossed  we want to know where to go in benidorm  for pcr test for when we returning back to UK thanks 

elinspain

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:40am

elinspain

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 3398

4358 helpful points

Location: La Mata

Joined: 4 May 2018

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:40am

Donna01 wrote on Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:06am:

Hi I know it's a long way off but we are coming to benidorm 1st oct 2021 fingers crossed  we want to know where to go in benidorm  for pcr test for when we returning back to UK thanks 

Hello,

The rules & travel regulations will have changed a dozen times before Oct in both Spain & the UK when most people will have been vaccinated.  Just wait to see if any such regulations still exist in Oct!

Cheers

Elinspain

Sign up for free or login to reply to this topic

Want to reply to this topic? Login or register for free to post your message:

Find more Coronavirus discussion topics from a particular area:


Register for free!

Login to your account

Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
Expat Services
Villa Guardians
interior building work
AA Free English TV
POSITIVE BELIEFS
Gran Alacant Insurances
Gentlevan Removals
Thy Will Be Done
Blacktower Financial Management
Car Key Solutions
Espana Dream Properties
ASSSA Insurance
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
The Cats Whiskers
Advertise your business here
Advertise your property