Talk me through covid testing for Spain please

[bendmeoverbackwards]

Going to Gran Canaria at Christmas. I understand PCR tests are required. I have a few questions - how do we organise these? Will they be nose and throat or just nose? Can the person swab themselves or is it done for them?

Rules might change by then but PCR tests don’t come cheap you would need to shop around
We’re going to the Gran Canaria at Christmas too so I’m just keeping an eye on things
If you’ve been double jabbed you can order a covid pass online or phone 119

@Trixiebell06 I’m not too fussed about the cost, I’m worrying more about the actual procedure.

The procedure of a PCR is the same as a lateral flow test really - you do it yourself. Keep an eye on Gov.uk as the rules keep changing.

Actually I just looked it up (DH travels to Spain for work) and if you are doubled jabbed you can download the NHS app that has confirmation of your jab dates on and then you don’t need to do a test. You do need to do one two days after you get home though. This is for mainland Spain so islands might be different.

Most of us are double jabbed but one of our party is an unvaxxed adult and another is a 14 year old who will have had one dose.

I've just returned from Spain. The current procedure is....

Either proof of double vaccine (download covid passport from NHS website) OR negative PCR for unvaccinated.

You need to fill out a pre declaration form 48 hours before travel online to enter Spain and will be sent a QR code when completed the form this will be scanned at airport.

You will need to complete a form to get back into UK again 48 hours before travel.

We had to do a day 2 test when we returned to the UK. These were about £70 each. However, I believe the government are scrapping these at the end of October.

Of course could change again but this is current procedure. Quite a bit of faff but when you get your head around it, it's actually fine.

Thank you @Lostmyway86 I’m prepared for a faff! I’m worrying because I’ve heard that with some of these travel PCR tests the doctor swabs you and they can be quite aggressive.

We just ordered ours from Boots and did them ourself, sent them off in the post! No doctors involved.

Islands are the same.
Look on jet2 website they have a good guide that talks you through everything at each stage

I'm confused too and going in a week. So the form we need to fill in for Spain is an online form right?
I know we can have lateral flow tests on day 2 when back.
Does DS aged 14 need to do a test before leaving Spain? Nothing seems clear any more
Do they watch you do the pre departure pcr tests? Thinking of going to an airport drive through one.

Oh and I have the nhs app but worry that my phone might not work so want a paper copy of my COVID pass. That's just a download from my phone for it to print?

As he currently stands for the entry to the Canaries, it’s the Covid vaccine pass of you’re vaccinated (download the NHS app and you’ll find it there) or a negative PCR result no more than 72 hours before travel if you’re not vaccinated (same for teens with only one jab). There are lots of options/companies for the PCR tests, I think most are self-administered. Then, 48 hours before you arrive in Spain you need to complete an online passenger locator form for the authorities there.

For the way back, complete a passenger locator form for the UK authorities and this will need to include a code for the day 2 lateral flow test (you have to buy it, you can’t use the free NHS ones as they don’t have the code you need). In addition, anyone unvaccinated will have to isolate on return.

Hope I’ve got that right. That’s as it stands at the moment, might have changed by Xmas.

We're in Tenerife- hurrah . DS 15 had his PCR test done at the Express Test centre at our local airport. The guy doing it was very pleasant, called DS mate which he seemed to like and DS didn't complain about the test - in throat and nose - so it must have been ok.
We had it done by a company because of the 72 hr deadline, didn't think something that needed posted would get back in town.