Tests for pre departure from Spain

The lack of clarity continues.

Government guidance says ( as of 10pm 4th August announcement), travellers are 'urged' to take a PCR test 'where possible' instead of the lateral flow test, before leaving Spain to return to UK. What does that mean - do we need a PCR test or not? Will we be denied flying without a PCR? No mention of it being a compulsory requirement. Hopefully some clarity will follow soon. This is just another example of the frustrating confusion around Government communications. How difficult can it be to provide definitive guidance?

not compulsory, antigen will suffice

Checking the Government website this morning which has been updated although they advise PCR they still quote a lateral flow test as suitable if it meets the specification of

The test must meet performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml.

I have posted about DAM health in Cabo Roig. Does anybody have information about them. I’ve booked with them but now they do not appear as an option if you try to book

Copied this morning from UK gov site

Travel from Spain and its islands - if you are travelling to England from Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands (Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca), you are advised to take a PCR type test before travel.

You must make sure that the test provider you choose can meet the standards for pre-departure testing.

The test must meet performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml.

This could include tests such as:

• a nucleic acid test, including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or derivative technologies, including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests
• an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device

Hi 

Can anyone recommend a clinic where I can get a pre flight pcr test. In benidorm. 

Thanks T

We had friends visit last week and they had tests done at IMED clinic in Benidorm last Sunday morning. Make sure you book though as very busy - 1 lady just turned up without an appointment and created havoc demanding to jump the queue as her flight departed from Alicante airport 3 hours later - I’m delighted to say that her request was refused 🤣🤣🤣

Maybe it's me, but I find it slightly weird that tourists or homeowners pop over to Spain and then panic and ask (so, so many times!) where they can get a test for return.  Notwithstanding the UK Govt "advising" PCR, Lateral flow (at the time of writing) is OK.

Why do people not purchase an antigen test (from an approved UK supplier) before they go and take it with them and undertake the test remotely less than 72 hours prior to travel?

This is acceptable and straightforward.  We did it a few weeks ago and all good.  For info, we used - https://www.projectscreen.co.uk/fit-to-fly/lfa-home-test/ (and less pricey than Spanish providers - I think).

Anyway, hope this helps and can give peace of mind before traveling - so long as PCR doesn't become "mandatory"...

Hi edsally,

If this works, it is surely the Holy Grail and will save the questions which account for about 75% of the daily forum content! Can you clarify something for me please?

Having opened your link, the first thing that caught my eye was that this applies to passengers travelling FROM England to overseas countries as opposed to travelling back i.e. Spain to England,. Are you sure it works for the latter?

Please don't be offended by my query as you say it worked for you a few weeks ago. It just seems odd that so many people (me included!) were not aware of this. If they had been, there wouldn't be so many requests for 'medical centres near....... to get the antigen test done.'

Grateful for some clarity please and many thanks for raising this. Be interesting to hear if any others have successfully used this for Spain to England travel. It could save a lot of stress!!!!

Hi

It "works".  But it's not a get-around - a Lateral Flow Test is a Lateral Flow Test  - and the test we did was UK Govt approved.

We actually purchased a two-person bundle from Project Screen - 6 X PCR (3 each - 2/5/8 day) and 4 X Lateral Flow (two for pre-departure, which we still have, as not needed since both 2 X Vaccinated - and two for the "fit to fly" return flight certificate, which were needed at the time and still are now as you know.

As you will appreciate with all those tests we traveled when self-isolation was required upon return (and BTW we each got called every day by Track & Trace until Day 6).

I researched the testing organisations and settled on Project Screen by Prenetics - great reputation, good track record.  In the end, they certainly did not disappoint.

When you present or upload your fit to fly certificate, for us at least, no checks were made as to the validity of the test provider - so I assume no X-check is made in relation to Country of origin. 

When we purchased the bundle of tests (the bundle is not available now) it was clear that the second lateral flow would need to be done whilst overseas - so there it is.

Sorry, I am really not a lover of relying on Forum advice so what I would say is that Members should undertake their own research - what I can categorically confirm is that our tests were accepted and were processed very quickly.