ANTIGEN AND PCR TESTS These are testing times – quite literally, with many travellers naturally flock to Spain at this time of year to visit family and friends, or in search of some much-needed sunshine.
But with exceptional health precautions returning to many countries, travellers of all nationalities will often find they might need testing or vaccination to enter Spain, and crucially, local COVID testing for their return journey home.
Fortunately, Antigen and PCR tests are widely available throughout the Orihuela Costa area, with a choice of test facilities in popular holiday hotspots such as Playa Flamenca, Cabo Roig, and other localities within easy reach of La Zenia.
Visitors to Costa Blanca can find out what health precautions are in place on the Spain Travel Safe website. The website explains the entry requirements for travel to Spain depending on your country of origin, with information about staying safe while you´re here, and what health measures are in place for your journey home.
Cheapest travel testing on the Costa Blanca in Spain
It's an invaluable tool for holidaymakers and arrivals in Spain, with the most up-to-date information collected directly from the Spanish authorities and official government sources globally.
Simply visit the website on your laptop or mobile device and tap the country you're travelling from. The website will tell you what documentation you'll need to travel, and whether you'll need a test. The site is available in nine popular languages, including English, Spanish, German, Italian, Polish, and Russian.
If you do need a COVID test for your journey home, here's a list of local PCR and Antigen test providers and test centres in our part of the South Costa Blanca area, with contact information, location maps from Google, and the current Antigen and PCR test costs.
ScandClinic Costa Blanca, Playa Flamenca
ScandClinic offer medical and test services for English, Spanish, and Swedish language speakers. Located locally in Playa Flamenca, the testing facility provides Antigen tests for €45 with a certificate for travel issued within 30-minutes.
A PCR test costs €135 and the availability of results depends on the current workload. Call them on +34 966 399 398 between 09.00 and 12.30 Monday to Friday to confirm availability or to make an appointment.
The local medical facility also offers private consultations with a doctor for €55 and appointments to see a nurse cost €25 per visit (reductions apply for patients enrolled in the Swedish health insurance fund). Private seasonal flu vaccinations are available for €35. Take a look at their website and find their clinic with this Google Map.
Dam Health, La Regia, Cabo Roig
Dam Healthcare provide a variety of testing services including lateral flow Antigen tests for €29 and PCR testing and fit-to-fly certification with prices from €79. Often open 7-days a week including public bank holidays, Dam Health testing centre in Cabo Roig is one of the most trusted and popular medical facilities serving the needs of returning travellers.
The company offer online booking with an appointment, a simple walk-in service with testing on-demand, or appointments by phone on +34 865 660 402. Antigen test results are available within an hour, and Dam Health offer PCR same-day results for PCR tests. You can find them with this Google Map.
Polyclinic IMED, Torrevieja
IMED offer a suite of test choices including RT-PCR and Antigen testing in Torrevieja. Prices for an Antigen test start at €40 with PCR tests available from €96. The company promises lateral flow test results within 15-minutes.
PCR test results are available within 24-hours, but for €150 IMED Torrevieja offer an express PCR testing service with results delivered within an hour. Appointments can be booked online and their website is available in English, German, Dutch, and Norwegian languages. Call them on +34 966 817 406 or find their location with this map.
Hospital Quirón, Torrevieja
QuirónSalud offers lateral flow Antigen testing for €40 with results and a certificate issued in just 30-minutes. RT-PCR tests are also offered. Tests cost €88 and results are delivered online within 24-hours.
The facility also offers post-vaccination testing that detects and confirms an immune antibody response for €40. Walk-in appointments may be available but advance online booking is recommended. Call +34 966 921 313 to make an appointment, check out their website, or find the QuirónSalud Torrevieja hospital via the map.
Vitalicum, Los Altos
Vitalicum offers PCR tests for €85 with results in 3 hours. Saliva-based rapid LFT Antigen test prices start from €40 complete with travel certification.
The company offers a website with online booking in English, German, French, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, and Norwegian. Please note that according to information from the company´s website, the testing centre is currently closed until 9th January 2022 for the winter season. You can find their location in Los Altos with this map.
Antigen and PCR tests for COVID travel on the Orihuela Costa
Local pharmacies and chemists also offer a broad spectrum of PCR and lateral flow Antigen travel testing services including Farmacia Lago Sol in La Florida, Farmacia Ainhoa in Villacosta, and Clinica Virgen del Pilar in Pilar de la Horadada.
Please remember that all travellers to Spain must complete the passenger locator form (known as the FCS form), before beginning their journey. You can find the forms you´ll need via the official Spain Travel Health website.
Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.
Photo credit: LaZenia.com
What test do we need to travel back to the UK from Spain Antigen test or PCR?
Hi Bob, you need an antigen test to return to the UK, but please note that this may change after 19th July 2021 … https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england#type-of-test
I understand its still a rapid antigen test to return now from Alicante back to UK is that right thanks
Hi Scot, yes, you need an antigen test for return to the UK. RT-PCR´s are recommended, but not required by UK law.
Perhaps.
Gov site recommended is pcr !
Flying to Belfast on Friday 3rd Sept next. Fully vaccinated. What do I require?
Hi Robert, you can find requirements for entry into Northern Ireland from the NI Direct website here … https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travelling-amber-country#toc-1
I’m am staying in playa flamenca where is the nearest centre to get a PCR test done I need a PCR for ireland
Hi Sylvia, Scandclinic is your nearest test provider but you´ll need to contact them to make sure they can provide a PCR. If they can´t, your next nearest test centre would be Vitalicum in Los Dolses.
Going to Glasgow on the 5th Oct I have had both jags what do I need pcr or anti gen
Hi Catherine, you can find details of the requirements for travel to Scotland from the Scot.Gov website here … https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/pages/red-amber-and-green-list-countries/
You need a pcr now
Hi Jess, you can still return to the UK with an antigen test. A PCR test is only advisory and not required by law … https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england#type-of-test
Is there anywhere around playa flamenca la zenia or Cabo roig for a antigen test tomorrow’s Saturday the 1st all clinics seem to be closed the weekend
Can you tell me nearest test centre to book a antigen test we life in . Caboroig Area with no transport….
Hi Lynne, you can ask at the Cabo Roig Medical Centre (the walk-in centre). I am sure some of the pharmacies in Cabo Roig offer tests, but I´m not sure which ones. It´s going to be hot out there today, so a better idea might be to ask in the La Zenia Community Group on Facebook. Someone there will know specifically where you´ll need to go … https://www.facebook.com/groups/1591017691013159
We are staying in catral where is the closest place to book an pcr or antigen test?
What test do we need to fly to the UK
Hi Scot, you´ll need an antigen test to fly from Spain to the UK.
It must be a pcr now
Hi Jess, you can still return to the UK with an antigen test. A PCR test is only advisory and not required by law … https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england#type-of-test
we fly to Alicante tomorrow, staying in Rojales where is the nearest place to book our covid test to fly back to UK on Monday 13th.please help
Hi Dee, you can try one of the local pharmacies in Rojales, or IMED in Torrevieja.
We are staying in la Zenia and need to book pcr tests for 12 people. Where is the closest place we can prebook please ????
Hi Catherine, Vitalicum in Los Altos would be your closest testing centre to La Zenia … https://www.vitalicum.es/home.html
Where can I get antigen test I live in San luis torrevieja. Need one on Saturday
Hi Elizabeth, if you can´t find a local pharmacy to help, your best bet is probably IMED in Torrevieja. Please book though, or be prepared to queue.
It gets booked up in los Altos so give yourself plenty of time
Wjwhyte@hotmail.co.uk is it possible to book a antigen test my daughter is flying out Friday night until Monday evening please and what is the cost thank you Mrs w whyte
Hi, should be in La Zenia in October staying near the big mall. Where is the nearest place to book a PCR test for return flight back to Scotland please
Hi there
Is there anywhere I can get an antigen test and receive results by Monday afternoon.
I have been to two Farmacia and as it’s a holiday today no one can help.
Hi Margaret, any of the testing centres listed in this article should be able to help you. Antigen test offers results in minutes so you won´t have to wait long.
We are driving back to the uk via France, leaving on a Thursday getting back to the UK on Sunday (3days) will the Antigen test be still valid? thanks
Hi Chris, yes, provided your test is taken on Thursday it will be valid for entry into the UK on Sunday.
Is the Antigen test acceptable to fly back to the U.K?
Or do you have to have a PCR test?
Hi Susan, the UK accept the antigen test for return travel and entry into the UK.
Hi travelling back to Ireland on 30th july. What test is required? In Pilar de la horadada, where is a local for testing?
RT-PCR/PCR required for Ireland, test is around 99-120€ here from what I can see, ironic it was cheaper through Randox in Dub Laoghaire coming out.
I think IMED and Hospital Quiron in Torravieja are the two easiest facilities, though I see a lot of local pharmacies are doing them too.
Hi can you advise somewhere for a PCR that is open on a Saturday with fast turnaround time ?
Hi Lisa, get in touch with IMED in Torrevieja, they offer emergency and fast services for PCR. Be aware that it will cost you a little more for a faster service.
Dam Health, La Regia, Cabo Roig – don’t seem to be able to make booking online with them anymore, the Book Now option has disappeared.
Does anyone know if they are still carrying out the PCR Tests?
Thanks.
Hi, where is the closest place to lazenia to get a fit to try covid test please?
I am going to uk to pick up my grandchildren. I will only be in the uk airport for about 6 hours. Does anyone know how that works with the day 2 testing that’s required in the UK? Will I still need the QR code?
Hi Irene, you won´t be able to complete your passenger location form without the code for the day 2 test, and without that, it´s unlikely you´ll be permitted to board the aircraft for departure.
I need to have one test done for travelling through France back to Belgium. Test has to be done on the 5th of August. We live in Lomas don Juan. Could you advice where to do this test.
Which is the required test for fit to fly back to the UK, Rapid Lateral Flow or PCR? We’ll be stopping about 10 minute drive from La Zenia Shopping centre. I was wondering which is the best place to get tested.
Hi Robert, you´ll need an antigen test to return to the UK. Please note that an RT-PCR is advised for arrivals in the UK from Sunday 8th August.
I am travelling to N.I and I’m fully vaccinated and have my digital covid card. Do I need a pcr?
Hi Monica, if you travel from Spain to Northern Ireland you will need to present an antigen test to enter the country … https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travelling-amber-country#toc-2
I should have said, im travelling on the 9th of Aug. So will an antigen be OK then
Hi Monica, I don´t see why not. Today is Saturday 7th August and the 9th August is 48-hours from now. The latest information for travel to Northern Ireland is available from the link to the NI Direct government website sent earlier.
Hi does anyone know if they are allowing you back to the UK with a lateral flow test rather than the PCR that was mentioned as “advised” from this weekend travel changes in the UK.
Hi Lesley, yes, antigen tests are permitted for entry into the UK. RT-PCR tests are recommended, but not required by UK law.
Hi, Is an antigen test acceptable for unvaccinated 16 year olds for entry into the UK.
Good morning, yes, antigen tests are accepted for all ages that require testing.
Hello, do you know if there are any centers for antigen tests in orihuela ciudad? Thank you
Hi can you tell me the nearest testing centre for a antigen test we are located near the lime bar murcia. Thankyou
Hi Emma, sorry I don´t, we´re in the Valencian Community.
Hi Emma, we will be flying back to the UK on Monday 6th September. Is an antigen test still allowed and if so where can we book in? We need tests for 2 adults, 1 17 year old and 1 16 year old. We will be staying in Villa Martin? Thank you.
I’d be interested to know of you find anywhere in the villamartin area as we’ll be staying there too in September. Good luck!
Does anyone know of any pharmacies in Cala finestrat doing the PCR test to fly back to UK
Hi, Im travelling back to the UK on 12th September. I’m 55 and have been double jabbed. Can you confirm what what test I need to take and when before I travel home?
Thank you
Hi Gary, you´ll need to take an antigen test before you travel to the UK. You´ll need to take your test 3 days before the service on which you will arrive in England departs. You can find more information from the UK GOV website here … https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england#when-to-take-your-test
Can I book a test for today please my flight is booked to return to uk Tuesday 7th September
Do you know of any Pharmacies near Mil Palmeras that offer the PCR test before heading back to UK (Scotland)
Hi there,
I’m fully vaccinated and flying back to the UK on the 6th October do i still need a test even though the rules have now changed?
Thanks
Hi Lisa, you won´t need a test to return to the UK from Spain. You will need to book and pay for a day-2 PCR test before you board your return flight home. This advice is for England, requirements for other parts of the UK may vary.
Can you buy lateral flow home Testing kits near la zenia at a pharmacy please
Hi Sharon, you´ll find LFT´s sold at almost all pharmacies in our area. Just ask the pharmacist and I´m sure she or he will find what you need.