PCR test, antigen test in Spain: how does it work?

Focus on the procedure for carrying out a PCR or antigen test in Spain, in order to travel or return to France.

France requires anyone wishing to enter French territory to present the health pass or a negative result of a virological screening test for Covid-19, carried out within 24 hours maximum before your departure. The presentation of the test is compulsory for any unvaccinated person aged 12 or over entering French territory, whether by land, sea or rail.

PCR tests for residents in Spain

French people residing in Spain are affiliated to the Spanish public health system and have their Spanish social security card. Only people with symptoms compatible with the Covid-19 virus can access a free PCR test through the Spanish public health network. Any healthy person who needs a PCR test, before an event or to be able to travel for example, will have to go to a private laboratory to do the test, which they will have to pay out of pocket; Spanish social security does not cover the cost of the tests needed to travel.

PCR test for tourists in Spain

People of French nationality who go to Spain for professional reasons or for tourism must imperatively present the negative results of a virological test on their return to France, whether at the border or at the airport, if they are not vaccinated. These tourists must therefore contact a screening center or a private Spanish laboratory within 24 hours before their departure on their return to France.

However, there are exceptional cases, for which the presentation of a negative test is not compulsory: • residents of border areas within a radius of 30 km around their home, for journeys lasting less than 24 hours. • Business trips whose urgency or frequency are incompatible with carrying out a PCR test. • Travel by road transport professionals in the exercise of their activity. The persons concerned must present proof of the reason for their travel within the framework of one of these exceptions.

Where and how to do a PCR test in Spain?

To do a PCR or antigen test in Spain, you will need to go to a Covid screening center or a private laboratory offering this service. A search on Google, with the keywords "prueba PCR Madrid" or "prueba PCR Barcelona" for example, will allow you to obtain a (long) list of centers offering this service.

Spanish laboratories will offer you different types of test: nasal PCR, saliva, serological test... You will usually have to make an appointment online directly on the laboratory site, although there are detection points without an appointment ( the wait can be more or less long depending on the crowd). Select the type of test you want, and depending on the laboratory you can pay directly on the site or once there. The cost of a PCR test in Spain fluctuates around 100 euros, with a range between 60 euros (Democratest), up to 150 euros depending on the center. Antigenic tests, which are more economical, are available in the laboratory between 20 and 45 euros. Finally, be aware that the health center of La Jonquera, a few minutes from the border, has set up a temporary bungalow in the parking lot of the Gran Jonquera shopping center, where the stunned (or those who have been arrested at the border, lack of test) can carry out a screening test (payment only in cash).

To avoid any waiting, make an appointment with a laboratory and show up at the scheduled time with your ID. You will get the test results within 24 hours for a PCR test or within 20 minutes for an antigen test, but it is better to plan ahead and give yourself a little leeway. You can request results in English, French or Spanish for travel.