Spain caps price of ‘at home’ Covid tests at three euros as more travel to country | Travel News | Travel
The world is re-opening and travel is back on the menu for many. But while countries are slowly easing restrictions, one thing that seems to be here to stay are Covid tests.
The UK scrapped pre-departure tests and changed its requirement from a PCR to a lateral flow test on Day 2.
New rules also scrapped the need to self-isolate when coming back to the UK.
Covid testing, however, has been one point of contention for many.
With prices rising and changing requirements, travellers rely on private testing providers for their travel tests.
READ MORE: Spain holidays: Canary Islands weather warning
In Spain, the high demand for tests over Christmas and New Year has pushed the Government to cap test prices.
Since the weekend, antigen tests in Spain are a maximum of €2.94 (£2.45).
The tests can only be bought in pharmacies, “despite the fact several large stores had offered to dispense them as well”, according to website Surinenglish.
Covid tests bought in pharmacies are not valid for international travel.
DON’T MISS
While travel testing remains expensive, Spain’s capping of antigen test prices is a step in the right direction for many.
The popular holiday destination is now one of the EU countries with the cheapest tests.
Surinenglish listed the prices of Covid antigen tests bought in pharmacies around Europe, showing the discrepancy in prices.
In Germany, tests are €1.75; in Portugal, €2.10 and in Greece, €2.70.
In France tests are €6 (but free for the vaccinated).
In Italy and Belgium, the tests are between €5 and €10 and in Ireland, €8.
The prices keep on rising, with the Netherlands selling the tests for €10 and Switzerland up to €20.
