Government limits validity of antigen tests to enter Spain to 24 hours

The validity of the antigen tests that the health authorities require to enter Spain will be only 24 hours and not 48 hours, as it was until now. The change goes into effect today, Tuesday 1 February.

This change in regulations, published today by the Official State Gazette (BOE), was agreed on 28 January by the General Directorate of Public Health of the Ministry of Health. It modifies another decision of 4 June 2021 regarding health controls at points of entry to Spain.

The decision only affects the entry conditions required for antigen tests. Therefore, it does not affect the requirements and regulations applied to vaccines, PCR tests or other Covid-19 detection tests, which remain unchanged.

Until now, antigen detection test certificates whose sample had been obtained within 48 hours prior to arrival in Spain were accepted as valid.

The diagnostic test certificate must include the following information: Name and surname of the holder, date of sample collection, type of test performed and issuing country.

The decision of the General Directorate of Health regarding the health controls to be carried out at the points of entry to Spain, highlights that this new regulation is the result of a recommendation by the European Union.