Most medical tourists to Spain will need a negative test

From November 23, Spain will require negative Covid-19 test results carried out within the last 72 hours before boarding the plane, for tourists coming from countries considered at risk.

Among the countries currently considered at-risk due to their pandemic situation are all of the Schengen Area, except Finland, Norway and Greece. The main source markets for tourists, health tourists and medical tourists to Spain (UK, Germany, France, Portugal and Italy) are affected.

The Health Control Form that all passengers must fill out before entering the country will also ask them whether they have had a negative Covid-19 test performed within 72 hours prior to arrival. This form, filled online before the flight, will generate a QR code. Airlines will verify the information prior to boarding through the passenger’s QR code. If the form hasn’t been filled online, they can submit it on paper and attach the test results.

Only CRP (C-reactive protein) tests will be accepted, and not antigen tests (rapid tests) or serological tests.

Across Spain there will be random control checks where test results may be required at any time. Regardless of whether the result presented by the tourist is negative, authorities may require the tourist to undergo a CRP test within 48 hours after arriving in Spain.

Travel agencies, tour operators, medical travel agencies and any other business that sells tickets individually or as part of a combined trip must inform passengers at the beginning of the process of selling tickets to Spain, as well as in the process of issuing the boarding pass, the mandatory requirement to fill out the Health Control Form at the destination airport or port.

Madrid and the Balearic Islands had been requesting the measure since July, to give confidence to tourists when travelling and help to position Spain as a safe destination.

For Spain it is a strategic measure, taking into account the importance of tourism in the economy, and that 50 million tourists have been lost so far this year.