Correct Test For Entry To Spain.

Imperial1847

Spain is now allowing the unvaxxed into the country as long as they produce a negative test 24hrs prior to travel, there seems to be a wide variation of prices and types of test available can anyone confirm what is actually acceptable?

OldMoneySaver

Imperial1847 said:

Spain is now allowing the unvaxxed into the country as long as they produce a negative test 24hrs prior to travel, there seems to be a wide variation of prices and types of test available can anyone confirm what is actually acceptable?

Yes, the Spanish Ministry of Health can.

Their website clarifies:

Certificate of a diagnostic test for SARSCoV2 with negative result. The following diagnostic tests shall be admissible:

• NAAT- nucleic acid amplification tests (e.g.: RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, TMA, HAD, NEAR, CRISPR, SDA), with sampling within the previous 72 hours to departure to Spain.
• RAT-rapid antigen test, with sampling within the previous 24 hours to departure to Spain. You can consult the list of rapid tests approved by the European Commission through this link

which to all intents and purposes means a certificated PCR or rapid antigen (aka lateral flow) test, which are widely available via UK providers listed at https: //www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/how-to-find-the-cheapest-private-coronavirus-tests-for-travel/ [remove space before double slash]

MiserlyMartin

Imperial1847 said:

Spain is now allowing the unvaxxed into the country as long as they produce a negative test 24hrs prior to travel, there seems to be a wide variation of prices and types of test available can anyone confirm what is actually acceptable?

They have been allowing people in with just an negative lateral flow test, since at least Feb this year. I know, because I entered with just that in Feb. It's taken until now for the UK government and UK media advice to realise this. I'm finding it harder to get quick PCR tests in this country now since the whole convid thing has wound down.

NoodleDoodleMan

One of the "benefits" of Brexit.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/spain-lifts-covid-travel-restrictions-27166135

Caz3121

MiserlyMartin said:

They have been allowing people in with just an negative lateral flow test, since at least Feb this year.

the ability to use a test instead of being vaccinated did not cover tourism until recently
there was a list of allowable reasons to enter with test, tourism was not one of them

MiserlyMartin

I was entering as a tourist and I entered on a negative lateral flow in Feb all within the rules on the spanish health app, with my QR code. As I say, all you read online was wrong, including the UK government site. I suspect this was deliberate in order to try to use the vaccine doses up which the government ordered millions too many of and are expiring as we speak. Spain is the number 1 UK tourist destination, so this was no accident.

MiserlyMartin

NoodleDoodleMan said:

One of the "benefits" of Brexit.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/spain-lifts-covid-travel-restrictions-27166135

Of course, just as anywhere else not belonging to the EU. That report was wrong just like most about unvaccinated not being able to enter Spain until last month, since I did it as I said above.

Rich2808

MiserlyMartin said:

Imperial1847 said:

Spain is now allowing the unvaxxed into the country as long as they produce a negative test 24hrs prior to travel, there seems to be a wide variation of prices and types of test available can anyone confirm what is actually acceptable?

They have been allowing people in with just an negative lateral flow test, since at least Feb this year. I know, because I entered with just that in Feb. It's taken until now for the UK government and UK media advice to realise this. I'm finding it harder to get quick PCR tests in this country now since the whole convid thing has wound down.

Spain allowed entrants from the EU/EEA area from February until the recent relaxation to enter with a negative test - but not from third countries like the UK. Visitors from the UK needed to be double jabbed - or boostered if their second dose was more than 270 days ago - or have proof of recent recovery from Covid in the last 6 months.

Where did you travel to Spain from - and if you came from the UK are you a Spanish national/resident or an essential visitor. Because a normal tourist could not enter from the UK with a negative test if unvaccinated back in February.

All academic now I accept - but of course they may revert back later this year.