Travelling from Alicante Airport to England – Covid-19 rules
The testing and quarantine requirements for foreign travel are subject to frequent changes and it can be difficult to stay up-to-date with the latest developments. To help you figure out what is needed, we have summarised the rules for travelling from Alicante Airport to England.
RECENT UPDATES:
As of 30/11/21 anyone travelling to England from abroad needs to take a PCR test on arrival, regardless of their vaccination status. Self-isolation is required until a negative test result has been received. Please see below for further details.
From Tuesday, 7/12/21, a pre-departure test will be required for anyone travelling from Alicante Airport to England. Please see below for further details.
Changes to the traffic light system
On 4th October 2021, the rules for foreign travel became less complex. While the previous system distinguished between red, amber and green countries, the new system simply has a red list and “the rest of the world”. As was the case before, travel to countries on the red list is not recommended, and stringent measures will need to be adhered to by anyone returning from a red list country. Spain and the Alicante region have never been on the red list and, therefore, the “standard” rules apply. While the testing regime for fully-vaccinated travellers returning from non-red listed countries had temporarily been relaxed, stricter rules have once more been put in place .
Overview of the Covid-19 rules for travel from Alicante Airport to England
To give you an overview of the previous and current travel rules for those returning to England from the Alicante region, we have summarised the requirements in the following tables. Please see below for further information regarding the passenger locator form and details on the different tests required.
Please note:
Some of the rules for travelling to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland may be different – please see the UK Government website for further information on this.
Covid guidelines for adults (18 years and older) travelling from Alicante to England
| Previous (from 24/10/2021 to 30/11/2021) | Previous (from 30/11 – 7/12/21, 3.59 am) | Current (from 7/12/21, 4 am) | |
| Fully vaccinated adults | • Passenger locator form • Day 2 lateral flow test | • Passenger locator form • Day 2 PCR test • Self-isolation until negative PCR test result received | • Passenger locator form • Pre-departure test • Day 2 PCR test • Self-isolation until negative PCR test result received |
| Non fully vaccinated adults | • Passenger locator form • Pre-departure test • Quarantine for 10 days • Day 2 PCR-test • Day 8 PCR-test • Test to release possible from day 5 | • Passenger locator form • Pre-departure test • Quarantine for 10 days • Day 2 PCR-test • Day 8 PCR-test • Test to release possible from day 5 | • Passenger locator form • Pre-departure test • Quarantine for 10 days • Day 2 PCR-test • Day 8 PCR-test • Test to release possible from day 5 |
Covid guidelines for children (under 18s) travelling from Alicante to England
Current (from Tuesday, 7/12/21, 4 am)
| Forms to complete | Testing | Quarantine | |
| Aged 4 and under | Passenger locator form (a child can be included on an adult’s form if they are staying at the same UK address) | No testing required | No quarantine required |
| 5 to 11-year- olds | Passenger locator form (a child can be included on an adult’s form if they are staying at the same UK address) | • No pre-departure test needed • Day 2 test (PCR) | Self-isolation until negative PCR test result received |
| 12 to 17-year-olds | Passenger locator form (a child can be included on an adult’s form if they are staying at the same UK address) | • Pre-departure test • Day 2 test (PCR) | Self-isolation until negative PCR test result received |
Previous (from 30/11 – 7/12/21, 3.59 am)
| Forms to complete | Testing | Quarantine | |
| Aged 4 and under | Passenger locator form (a child can be included on an adult’s form if they are staying at the same UK address) | No testing required | No quarantine required |
| 5 to 17-year-olds | Passenger locator form (a child can be included on an adult’s form if they are staying at the same UK address) | • No pre-departure test needed • Day 2 test (PCR) | Self-isolation until negative PCR test result received |
Test to release – please note: Children of all ages must take the test if adults in their household are taking part in the scheme.
Covid-19 forms and tests – the details
How and when do I need to fill in the Passenger Locator Form?
- You will need to submit this online any time in the 48 hours prior to your arrival in the UK.
- Any tests that are required have to be booked prior to completion of the passenger locator form, as the test reference numbers are needed for the form.
- To fill in the passenger locator form, follow this link and scroll down to the green “start now” button.
What is the pre-departure test?
- You will need to take this test in Spain, in preparation for your return journey.
- A PCR-test is recommended but LAMP- or antigen (lateral flow)- tests are also accepted.
- The test needs to be taken within the 2 days before you travel to England.
- The test certificate needs to be in English, French or Spanish.
What is the Day 2 test?
- You will need to take this test on or before day 2, following your return to / arrival in the UK (arrival day is day 0).
- Make sure to book the test prior to filling in the passenger locator form, as the test reference number is required for completion of the form.
- This needs to be a PCR-test, which has to be ordered from a private provider.
- While lateral flow tests were temporarily permitted for fully vaccinated travellers, since 30/11/21 this needs to be a PCR test, regardless of vaccination status.
- NHS COVID-19 tests cannot be used for this purpose.
What is the Day 8 test?
- This test needs to be taken, if applicable, on day 8 following your return to / arrival in the UK.
- You will need to book this test prior to filling in the passenger locator form, as the test reference number is required for completion of the form.
- This test is only required for those who are not fully vaccinated and needs to be a PCR-test.
- The test has to be ordered from a private provider.
- You cannot use NHS COVID-19 tests for this purpose.
Please also see the UK Government website for further information.
If you need a Covid test for your journey back to England, please also see our page Covid testing at Alicante Airport.
To prepare for your journey from the UK to Alicante, please see our pages Covid-19: Airport safety guidance for travelling via Alicante Airport and Covid-19 certificates for travelling to Alicante Airport.