IF YOU´RE THINKING of travelling to Spain, you´ll need to know what you need to do to ensure your journey goes smoothly. New rules come into force today meaning that international passenger arrivals at Alicante airport or Murcia airport may need a PCR or TMA “Fit to Fly” certificate showing a recent negative COVID-19 test result.
But what are the new rules, what kind of test do you need, and what´s the procedure for flying to Spain?
The existing rules were originally introduced in June, but the entry process has now been supplemented by a new PCR test requirement:
- Complete the FCS health control form no more than 48-hours before you travel.
- Get an RT-PCR or TMA COVID-19 test no more than 72-hours before you travel.
- Submit to a temperature check and visual assessment at the airport on arrival.
Complete an FCS health control form before travelling to Spain
Before travelling to Spain, all passengers originating from any airport or seaport must complete a public health form (an FCS form). The form is available from the Spanish Government website, via an app for Android mobile devices, or from the Apple App Store.
The FCS health control form asks for flight details, your personal information such as passport number, contact details, and your home address, in addition to details about where you will be staying in Spain.
A mandatory health questionnaire asks travellers questions, including:
- Have you been in contact with a person that has tested positive for COVID-19 infection within the last 14-days?
- Have you had symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath in the last 14-days?
- Have you or your travel companion visited any hospital in the last 14-days?
- Have you visited a live animal market within the last 14-days?
Each form is personal and non-transferable, associated with a single trip, and each person travelling must have their own completed FCS form, including dependents and children.
A parent or guardian can complete a child´s FCS form, or travelling families can complete a Group FCS form. You can find out more about Group FCS forms from the Spain Travel Health website.
An FCS form application can be started at any time once you have your travel details, but can´t be completed until 48-hours before your departure.
Upon completion, a QR code is emailed to you in a PDF format. This is scanned at the airport upon arrival directly from your mobile phone. The QR code can be paper printed for those travellers that don´t have access to a mobile device.
Passengers can also complete their FCS form by hand and bring a paper copy with them for inspection upon entering the country. However, the entry process may take longer than those who enter Spain with a QR code.
Travellers should be aware that a revised FCS health control form has been introduced. The English FCS form can be found here, and the German language form can be downloaded here.
The revised form clarifies certain aspects of the outgoing form, including specifying whether hospital visits within the last 14-days were Coronavirus-related and providing separate checkboxes for hospital workers and medical personnel.
Providing a certificated RT-PCR test to travel to Spain
All international arrivals from high-risk countries need to show a certificate with a negative diagnostic test result for Coronavirus upon entering Spain by air or sea.
High-risk countries are determined by information provided by the European Centre for the Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and listed on the Spanish Ministry of Health website.
The list is updated every 15-days and currently includes most European countries, such as Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark (except the Faroe Islands and Greenland), France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Luxembourg. Flights departing from Ireland are exempt from the requirements of PCR testing until 10th January 2021.
For countries outside the EU, risk assessment is based on the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 per 100,000 population over the past 14-day period.
UK travellers should note that with effect from 22nd December 2020, entry into Spain for UK residents is restricted to Spanish nationals and legally documented international Spanish residents arriving by sea or air from the United Kingdom. This restriction applies to all British citizens (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) until 6:00 pm on Tuesday 2nd February 2021.
Non-EU third countries with a cumulative incidence of 150 or more according to the ECDC are categorised as high-risk and include passenger arrivals from The USA, the Russian Federation, Switzerland, Morocco, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom (including Gibraltar).
The test must be an Active Infection Diagnostic Test (PDIA), a nucleic acid test for SARS-CoV-2 that uses the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) laboratory technique.
Tests that detect antigens or antibodies are not acceptable for Spanish travel in the Valencian Community, and the test must be completed within 3 days (72 hours) of travel.
The certificate must be in English, Spanish, French or German languages, can be presented in a paper printed (original, not a copy) or electronic format, and must contain the following information:
- The name of the passenger.
- Passport number or ID card number (the number provided must match the one provided on the FCS health control form).
- The test date.
- Name and contact details of the testing centre.
- The testing method applied (eg: RT-PCR).
- The test results (only negative accepted).
Travelling to Spain, how to get a PCR travel certificate
A valid travel certificate must be held by each person travelling in a family or group, and COVID-19 PCR or TMA swab tests should be arranged privately. The UK Government website advises that the state NHS testing service should not be used to get a test to facilitate passenger travel to Spain.
In the UK a travel-compliant “Fit to fly” private PCR test costs around £160 with results usually available within 24-hours. In Germany, a test costs around €160 and European travellers may be able to reclaim a proportion of the cost of a test from their health insurance provider. Prices for the cheaper TMA tests are expected to be below €100.
Children under the age of six years won´t need a test, certification can be provided in French, German, Spanish or English, and a TMA test with a negative result can be substituted for a PCR test. Complete details can be found from the Spanish Ministry of Health website.
All passengers arriving by sea or by air must undergo a basic health check upon arrival in Spain.
The two-step check includes a routine temperature measurement to detect symptoms of fever using a non-contact thermometer or thermal imaging camera. A temperature of 37.5°c or higher suggests the possibility of fever or transmissible infection.
Travellers will also be subject to a visual health assessment of their physical condition.
If the results of these checks are unsatisfactory, the individual will be examined by a doctor. All checks will be carried out by healthcare professionals, 600 of whom have been contracted to perform this function.
Do I need to provide a PCR test if I´m driving to Spain?
These requirements apply to all passengers arriving in Spain by air or sea, regardless of your residency status in Spain and the length of time you intend to stay in the country. International overseas property owners in Spain are subject to these requirements.
The provisions above do not apply to international travellers in transit, that is, passengers that are passing through Spain with a final documented destination outside of the Spanish territory, or air passengers with connecting flights provided they do not leave the secure airside section of the terminal building.
Overland travellers travelling to Spain and people driving to the Costa Blanca are also exempt from the above entry requirements and aren´t obligated to present an negative test certificate, submit for physical assessment, or provide an FCS health control form on entry by road or via the rail network.
On arrival, there is no mandatory requirement for self-isolation or quarantine regardless of the chosen travel method, but visitors are urged to install and activate the Radar COVID health protection app on their mobile device.
The official Spanish Government app is available for Android and Apple devices. It´s a contact tracing app designed to help the fight against Coronavirus by identifying potential outbreaks and breaking the chain of contagion.
Radar COVID uses anonymous identifier codes and automated contact tracing, requires no registration or login, doesn´t ask for any personal information, and does not use geolocation to track app users
Looking for holiday ideas and inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa this year, or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what´s going on in the local area.
EDITORIAL NOTES: This article was originally published on 23rd November 2020 and updated on Friday 15th January 2021 with the most recent information.
Photo credit: LaZenia.com.
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what age do children have to be to have a PCR test has we are flying with a 3 year old and a 10 month old baby on the 28/12/2020
thank you
Hi Bernadette, at this time there is no minimum age and every person entering Spain must present a negative PCR test.
I’m flying with my husband back to our residential home in spain do we need a FCS test 72 hours before we fly from the UK or does this rule cease on 2nd December if travel restrictions are lifted in the UK
The requirement for a PCR test does not cease when travel restrictions are lifted in the UK. You´ll need to provide a valid PCR test taken within 72-hours before you arrive in Spain.
Travelling from England through channel tunnel with an Irish passport do I need a pcr test.can I travel before 19 January and am I exempt due to irish passport
Hi Michael, you won´t need a PCR test if you´re arriving by road and you can travel before 19th January. The temporary travel ban on arrivals from the UK applies to passengers via air or sea only. However, please be aware that you cannot enter the Valencian Community unless you possess documented residency here.
I am travelling back to Spain on the 5/01/2021 & I only have a copy of my residencia will this be ok
Hi Teresa, to be honest, I don´t know. You need to be able to PROVE your residency in Spain. I cannot say for sure that a copy of your residencia will be sufficient. Please check with the Spanish consulate in the country where you are now, before you travel.
Sorry I meant PCR test
I am a Spanish resident and travelling home to spain at the end of December with my husband do we need to have a PCR test 72 hours before we arrive back in spain even if the travel restriction in the UK are lifted on 2nd December
Yes, you´ll still need a valid PCR test to enter Spain.
Hi we are due to fly on the 26th Dec do I do the test on the 23rd or 24th I’m worried won’t be back as Christmas Eve and Christmas day
Hi Deborah, the test must be taken no later than 72-hours prior to your arrival in Spain. For example, if you are due to land in Spain at midday on Saturday 26th December, you should take the test at midday on Wednesday 23rd December or later.
I’m going to Spain Alicante 7.am 26/12/2020 my Post Code Is OL37PS Ukingdom
If I’m driving down in motorhome which takes 3 days and the PCR runs out before I get to the Spanish boarder.
You take the test which takes over 24 hours to get the results leaving less than 2 days to get to the Spanish boarder.
If I don’t get to the Spanish boarder within 72 hours what happens then.
Hi Roy, you don´t need to provide a PCR test if you´re arriving in Spain by road or the rail network.
Hi have to go to Portugal in January I am driving over to collect a boat to Santander do i need to get a test please
Hi Adam, under current rules you won´t need a PCR to enter Spain from Portugal by road. Bear in mind existing rules may have changed by the time you intend to travel, so check back closer to the time.
I have connected flight via Malaga Airport to Manchester, do I need pcr test from first departure point Casablanca? Transit time is 7 hours at Malaga Airport
Hi Sam, you won´t need a PCR test for in-transit travel via Spain provided you don´t intend to leave the Malaga airport security area.
If my sister is coming to the UK for a short visit, less than 72 hours, can she get the test in Spain, come to the UK and show the results upon her return?
Hi Patricia, yes, as long as the PCR test is taken within 72 hours, it doesn´t matter where the test takes place.
We have Portuguese residency and will be arriving in Spain in January by ferry from UK, in transit (not stopping) to Portugal. Is any Covid test certificate needed??
Hello,
We are due to arrive in the Canaries on a Monday evening. The airline says we must take the PCR test on the Friday and return by post back the the lab that afternoon. This would mean the test would be taken slightly over 72 hours before arrival. Is this acceptable?
Thank you.
No, the law states that the test must be dated within 72-hours of your arrival time in Spain.
Hi I have a flight booked for the 23rd December due to the 72h window no laboratories assuring to get the test done on time. What can I do? I tried changing the flight but there aren’t any. The law haven’t taken into count Sundays or weekends when laboratories don’t work and therefore nobody can actually travel to Spain Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, as you end up paying huge amounts on tests that you don’t get on time on top of your normal flights. I’m Spanish resident in UK and I haven’t seen my family in a whole year and now I will not be able to see them even in Christmas. How’s this fare?
I will be arriving into a Spanish airport but then driving to my final destination in Andorra. Do I still need a test?
Yes, all arrivals in Spain via air from countries indicated on the travel list will require a PCR test. Your journey won´t count as transit as you will pass through arrivals.
Hi , I am arriving at Bilbao from Rosslare in Ireland by ferry , as my starting point is in Northern Ireland (U.K.) do I need a pcr test ?
No, if you´re arriving from Ireland you won´t need to provide a PCR test. Ireland is currently excluded from the list of countries that require a PCR, but this could change in the future, so please check the list prior to travel to make sure you´re still covered.
im due to travel to lanzarote on the 29th December will my one year old need a test?
Hi Valerie, yes, everyone visiting Spain will require a test, regardless of age.
Hi, I’m flying to Colombia from London on December 26th and change flights in Madrid – do I need to take a PCR test to do this? I will not be entering Madrid, I have a one hour 45 minute layover at the airport. Thank you
Hi Julie, no, you won´t require a PCR test for in-transit flight changeovers in Spain.
Hi my
Will Spain accept a NHS PCR test thanks Angela
Hi Angela, no, I´m afraid Spain won´t accept an NHS PCR test. The test certificate must be issued by a registered laboratory.
Can you confirm that since Thursday it will be enough to have antigen test travelling to Canary Island?
Hi Humez, we can provide information relevant to the Valencian Community only. We cannot provide information regarding regulations in the Canary Islands, which may differ to those in our community.
Hello, I’m flying to Colombia from MILAN on December 22th and change flights in Madrid.. I need to take a PCR test to do this? I have a one hour 40 minute layover at the airport.
Hi Usm, you won´t need to provide a PCR test in Spain as you will be in-transit to another country.
I am driving through the euro tunnel from uk to Spain, will I need to have have a Pcr test certificate when I arrive in Spain?
Hi Don, no, you won´t need to have a PCR test certificate if you´re arriving in Spain by car. Road and rail arrivals are excluded from the PCR test requirements.
I am flying and will arrive in Spain on 27/12/2020 early evening. Will a PCR test taken any time on the 24th be sufficient ?
Hi Craig, the law requires that the PCR is taken within the 72-hour window – never later than 72-hours.
Hi
We are flying into Gibraltar on 28th December
If we then walk across the border to collect a hire care for travel to Estepona will we require a test?
Thanks
Hi Geoff, no, you won´t need a test to cross Spain´s land borders. However, please check the requirements for entry into Gibraltar. This is beyond our territorial scope and you´ll need to be sure there aren´t any unusual restrictions.
Hi we are travelling back to our home in Spain on the 28th December but in order to get the PCR results back in time to fly i’ve had to book a PCR test for 24th December. Will this be ok? What will happen if we arrive at Manchester Airport to fly, will we be allowed to leave the UK or will we be refused on our flight? Weve paid £150 each for this test!!
Will we be able to take a test once we arrive in Spain. What is happening??
Hi Jane, the law is quite specific in requiring a PCR test within a maximum of 72-hours before you fly. Tests with results outside of the prescribed time will not be accepted, and it´s unlikely that you will be permitted to board the plain prior to departure.
Hi,
I’m travelling from Poland to Barcelona on Dec 28th. My flight is from Warsaw but my place of residency is Podkarpackie region and I’ll go by my car to the airport on 28th from the city in this region to Warsaw to take a flight. As per new updated list for PCR test requirement this region in excluded. Do I need to take a test before travelling?
Thank you for your help.
Hi there, if you arrive in Spain from an airport in a country that is not on Spain´s list of safe countries, you will need to provide a PCR test on arrival. Your place of residence won´t matter.
Hello, I’m flying to Barcelona from Poland on Dec 28th. Poland is still on the new list of coutries which passengers flying from need to have negative test result. One Polish region is excluded and it’s my place of residency, Podkarpackie, but my flight is from Warsaw which is in a different region of Poland. I’ll go there by car to take my flight. Do I need to take a test?
Thank you in advance for your help
My brother in law tested positive on 6th dec, he now has no symptoms but keeps getting positive COVID results, he wants to get home to Majorca, how can he do this when Covid tests keep giving positive results for up to 3 months????
Hi Gary, current health regulations require a negative COVID-19 test result before entry into Spain by air or sea is permitted. We don´t yet know enough about COVID-19 post-infection, and we don´t have accepted clinical research that confirms how long viral RNA fragments remain detectable for. I hope your brother-in-law finds his way home soon, but I´m afraid I can´t provide any advice that would help either of you today.
If travelling to usa you can have proof of the initial positive test date and a letter from a GP to say you are no longer infectious, why can’t Spain do this too?? It’s a ridiculous situation when PCA tests are not fit for purpose and a government are using it as a tool for entry to you home country!!
Hi
If you are driving to Spain do you need resident cards/TIE or is that just for Air and Sea travel?
I know you don’t ha e to do a PCR (but you do to transit through France)
It says :
Overland travellers to Spain are exempt from the above mentioned entry requirements and are therefore not currently required to present a PCR, TMA or LAMP test, or Health Control Form on entry by road or rail.
On the uk gov site.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain
Thank you
Hi Matthew, no, you don´t need to have a resident card or TIE to enter Spain by road. However, please note that the borders to the Valencian Community are currently closed to everyone except documented residents or those that travel here for essential reasons such as for their usual work routine.
Hello I’m flying back to Spain the 9th of January 2021, I’m Spanish citizen and resident do I need to take a test before I can entry the country?
Hi Elisabeth, yes, all passenger arrivals from at-risk countries must present a PCR test upon entry to Spain – resident or non-resident does not matter. If you´re arriving from the UK you will need a test, if you are arriving from a safe country (such as Ireland), you won´t need to provide a test.
Hi – I’m a little confused because what I’m reading is that I need to take the test 48 hours before my flight, but when I look up the lab testing websites, it says it will take 2-3 days (and potentially longer) to get my results from the test. So how is it possible to accomplish both of these? It seems clear that I will need to get the test more than 48 hours before my flight. Can you help me better understand what is and isn’t acceptable? I want to make sure I don’t have issues re-entering Spain, since I am both a citizen and a current resident.
Hi
I have tested positive for covid 19 15 days ago , i can’t get a negative test for around 10 to 12 weeks with covid will be still in my system , can i go to Spain in the meantime or do i need to get a different test done( How do i get around this )
Hi Fergal, current regulations for passenger arrivals in Spain by air or sea require the presentation of a documented negative RT-PCR or TMA test for COVID-19. You won´t be permitted entry without a test unless you arrive from a destination country that´s currently on Spain´s safe list. It is not possible to avoid this legal requirement.