Flying to UK from Spain with kids

[Slavetominidictator]

Please could someone clarify what's required for a six and nine year old to re enter the UK? Apologies for asking this but I've looked repeatedly and am getting conflicting answers.

We are in Spain, on a holiday that was intended to help us all recover and it's been extremely difficult. I was under the impression that we'd need to all have a test three days before returning (unclear whether LFT or PCR) and one two days after returning, as I am double vaccinated.

Is this correct please? Neither of my kids are great with being tested at all, due to previous history, so I don't want to do anything unnecessary, but obviously wish to comply with the regulations (if I could work out what they definitely are).

Obviously I'm completing the passenger locator form as well.

You'll need an antigen test within 72 hours of returning to the UK
Kids won't.
You'll all need a day 2 test - reference numbers need to be put on the PLF

@JSL52 thank you very much. I'd read that any kids over 5 need to be tested - is that not the case?

Here’s the rules for amber countries

www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england

They recommend that you have a PCR test before returning to UK if you have been in Spain.

Children under 10 don’t need it.

You all ( including the children ) need to do a day 2 PCR test after you get back home. You need to book this before you leave Spain as you need to provide the number on your PLF.

When you arrive at passport control in the Uk, all the information your provided on the PLF is on their computer and linked to your passport number.

Travelling with children

There are different age limits for children for the different COVID-19 travel tests:

test to enter another country – check foreign travel advice for the country

test before travel back to England – children aged 10 and under do not need to take a test

day 2 and day 8 tests after arrival in England – children aged 4 and under do not need to take a test

Test to Release test – children of all ages must take the test if adults in their household are taking part in the scheme

Read more about testing and quarantine for children.

www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england

So children under 10 don’t need to test BEFORE entering UK.

Children under 4 don’t need to do the tests AFTER entering UK.

ALL children need to do tests if the adults are doing test to release. But you don’t need to do that because you are fully vaccinated so don’t need to quarantine . Unless of course you are travelling with another adult who is NOT fully vaccinated ( and you’ve not mentioned that in your posts ).

[quote Slavetominidictator]@JSL52 thank you very much. I'd read that any kids over 5 need to be tested - is that not the case? [/quote]
No. Over 11.

day 2 test once back in the UK required for all of you. If you think your kids can rustle up 2ml of spit, go for the Halo saliva pcr tests instead of the swabs.

We did antigen tests before leaving Spain last week, results 15 mins later, cost 40euros each.

@IS0D0RA thank you ever so much. That's really helpful. I had read the gov. Uk stuff but hadn't seen the part re kids. Most grateful

@IS0D0RA that's correct, just me, only adult - was widowed two years ago and that's very much the reason the trip has been so hard. Seems to have brought up all sorts of things for both kids.....

@emsmaman Also many thanks - saliva would be massively helpful. One kid more than the other finds anything invasive really distressing (which she perceives the swabs as).

You are welcome @Slavetominidictator. I’m sorry to hear about your loss and that the holiday was a bit of a mixed experience for you all. I guess it’s another one of these difficult “ firsts” without your loved one.

And the first is always the hardest as you know. Next holiday will be better .

If you get postal tests for the day 2 tests, you could do all 3 so the children don't have to do them.

@IS0D0RA thanks so much for help and understanding.
I actually took the kids away twice on my own in 2019, desperately trying to give them pleasant experiences after my husband's long illness and traumatic death.
You're absolutely right about the firsts being tough. What I hadn't anticipated was that it still would be now. I can semi handle my own grief now, but incredibly hard to watch and attempt to help them. I suppose there is time and space for stuff to come up for them while away here. And they still don't have a father with them and that won't ever go away. Lots of families here where kids are playing with their dads is probably bringing things up too. And they're older and so see things differently. Also lockdown meant we all stagnated a bit at home, sitting in rooms he'd been ill in, where hospital equipment had been, etc, which I knew wasn't good for any of us, but like everyone in lockdown, there was no choice.

However, I am very grateful indeed for the help re the testing etc. I was concerned this post would be seen as someone who couldn't be bothered to read the rules. Extreme gratitude for such kind and helpful info from all who've commented.

Over 11s need to do an antigen test within 2 days before flying back to UK

Everyone to do a PCR test on day 2

I would check the website of the airline you fly with. I have just got back with jet2 from spain and the website is great. DD12 needed a PCR 48 prior but DD10 didn't.
Antigen test for all of us in Spain, book asap 72 hrs prior to flying.
You need to book day2 tests prior to departing as you need to out the ref number on the passenger locator form. All of us needed day 2 tests. Randox at £43 where the cheapest I found but check where your nearest drop off box is as you dont send them via royal mail.

@Frazzledazzles over 4s need the tests to depart spain. I think its 4 but my DD10 def needed it. It varies country

@Annabellerina

If you get postal tests for the day 2 tests, you could do all 3 so the children don't have to do them.

Do you mean she should carry out the tests on the kids, or take it herself?

Check with your airline, they may require pcr rather than antigen - it will be on their website or let us know and one of us can take a look.

My mum died last year (we lived with her) so I know what you mean about being in the house where they were ill and in our case, passed away. I'm dreading the first anniversary and really don't want to be here, but again don't know if it's best we are here or somewhere else.

PCR tests before you leave are advised, LFT accepted and they’re much cheaper. We used Randox for day 2. 15minute tests in resort and they were lovely- even printed out an extra boarding pass for us and the testing was the swiftest and gentlest we’ve had (family of 5 and we’ve done around 100 between us!)
Locations in Spain

We booked PCRs to come back from Spain as they are recommended and that could change to compulsory at any time - plus some airlines can be funny about it. Best to check if your airline has a policy.

Our day 2 tests are being delivered for when we return what reference do we put in on the form?

Tuba when you ordered your day 2 tests you will have been given a PLF reference

If you do randox day 2 test op you in theory could take all 3 tests and no one would know

No one needs pcr to return from Spain

It’s antigen only and nothing to do with airlines

Whilst it may change it’ll only change at the next review

Antigen are better as quicker