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 Coronavirus rules for travelling from Alicante Airport to England.
RECENT UPDATES:
All remaining Covid restrictions for travel from Alicante to England were removed on Friday, 18th March, 4 am. Travellers will no longer need to complete a passenger locator form and there will be no requirements to test or quarantine. This applies to everyone, regardless of their vaccination status.
Please note: Travel restrictions still apply for travel to Alicante.
The Coronavirus 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.
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 9/1/22 – 10/2/22) | Previous (until 18/3/22, 3.59 am) | Current (from Friday, 18/3/22, 4 am) | |
| Adults – fully vaccinated | • Passenger locator form • Day 2 test (choice of lateral flow or PCR) • No self-isolation required | Passenger locator form | No forms, testing, or quarantine required. |
| Adults – not fully vaccinated | • 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 • Day 2 PCR-test | No forms, testing, or quarantine required. |
Please note: Covid restrictions still apply when travelling from England to Alicante. Please see our page Covid-19 certificates needed for travelling to Alicante Airport.
Covid guidelines for children (under 18s) travelling from Alicante to England
Previous (until Friday, 18/3/22, 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 | Not 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 testing required | Not required |
Current (from Friday, 18/3/2022, 4 am)
| Forms to complete | Testing | Quarantine | |
| Aged 4 and under | None | No testing required | Not required |
| 5 to 17-year-olds | None | No testing required | Not required |
Coronavirus forms and tests – the details
Please note: As of Friday, 18/3/2022, 4 am, none of the forms or tests listed below will be required when travelling from Alicante to England.
How and when do I need to fill in the Passenger Locator Form?
- You will need to submit this online any time in the 72 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?
- If required, 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.
- You will need to take this test 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 you will need the test reference number for completion of the form.
- For adults who are not fully vaccinated, this needs to be a PCR-test, which has to be ordered from a private provider.
- Fully vaccinated adults, as well as children (under 18s), have the option of a PCR-test or a lateral flow test. Either of these will need to be ordered and purchased from a private provider.
- You cannot use NHS COVID-19 tests 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. The day 8 test is no longer needed from 11/2/2022.
- 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.
For more information, please also see the following pages:
Covid testing at Alicante Airport
Airport safety guidance for travelling via Alicante Airport during Covid-19
Covid-19 certificates needed for travelling to Alicante Airport
