Advertisement

UPDATE: How much will Covid tests cost for a trip between Spain and the UK?

The Local Spain
The Local Spain - [email protected]
UPDATE: How much will Covid tests cost for a trip between Spain and the UK?
How much will UK holidaymakers have to spend on PCRs to travel to Spain now?Photo: JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK / AFP

Spain has confirmed British holidaymakers will not need to present a negative PCR test to enter the country from May 24th, but a round trip between the UK and Spain will still require plenty of PCR testing, even for those who have been vaccinated. 

Advertisement

Travelling from the UK to Spain

On Friday May 21st, Spanish authorities announced that UK holidaymakers can visit Spain without the need to quarantine or present a negative PCR test from Monday May 24th. 

Spain’s Foreign Office later confirmed that this was the case for all British holidaymakers, even those who haven’t been vaccinated, with the main health requirement being filling in a health control form

This is welcome news for British tourists and those with family and friends in Spain, as well as property owners, as May 24th also signals the lifting of restrictions on non-essential travel to Spain from non-EU countries, allowing them to visit Spain after at least 6 months. 

They will also now save a fair amount on PCR testing when travelling to Spain from the UK. British consumer group Which? found that the average cost of a test in the UK is £102 (€120) per person, but tests cost up to £350 (€410) in some areas. 

London's Heathrow Airport on April 29, 2021. Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP
 

Advertisement

Travelling from Spain to the UK

Unfortunately, Spain is currently on the UK’s “amber” list for travel, which means returning Britons will have to quarantine for ten days at home and pay for three PCR tests. 

The first PCR test has to be carried out in Spain within 72 hours of travel back to the UK. 

PCR tests in Spain can cost around €100 (£85) in some parts of the country but according to Spanish consumer watchdog OCU the price usually ranges from €130 to €240 (£110 to £204). If you have time, it 's worth shopping around for the best prices or asking locals ¿dónde puedo hacerme un test PCR barato por esta zona? (where can I can get a cheap PCR test in this area?). 

Once you get to the UK you are required to quarantine for 10 days, but this can be done at an address of your choice, as Spain is currently not on the UK’s ‘red list’ which requires a mandatory 10-day hotel stay at the travellers’ expense.

You do however, have to buy a compulsory travel-testing pack, which is a set of two home Covid tests. These can only be bought from a UK government-approved supplier and cost around £210 (€246) per person. 

Total cost of Covid testing one-way UK to Spain: No cost

Total cost of Covid testing for one-way Spain to UK: €350 to €490 (£298 to £418)

Total cost of Covid testing for round trip Spain-UK:  €350 to €490 (£298 to £418)

READ ALSO:

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

Anonymous 2021/07/24 17:08
Hi. looking for information on clinics where we can get a PCR test when we reurn to UK. We are staying Orgiva Andalusia. Thanks Alice Reynolds
Anonymous 2021/04/03 10:35
Hi - PCR tests in Valencia city cost 70 euros at Clinicas UCV (Valencia Catolica University) https://www.ucv.es/clinicas-ucv I got my result in under 12 hours
  • Anonymous 2021/07/24 17:40
    Hi. looking for information on clinics where we can get a PCR test when we reurn to UK. We are staying Orgiva Andalusia. Thanks Alice Reynolds

See Also