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Covid Testing in Barcelona for return flight to US

Heading to Barcelona in March. Staying by Citadel Park. Flying back on a Sunday. Any recommendations for weekend testing sites or should we take Binax Now tests with us instead?

Posted by
2267 posts

I've been to Spain twice in the last 4 months and going back in March. I'm looking forward to not having to hassle with a testing site and just using the Binax. (Which I'll use for the first time tomorrow before I attend an event here at home that requires a negative test.)

Posted by
546 posts

I've been to Spain twice since the pandemic and have used Democratest both times -- they offer antigen tests for €25 with results within an hour, 7 days a week in Barcelona. Note that the PCR tests are more expensive but if you are returning to the US, antigen tests suffice.

Posted by
374 posts

Be careful there are 2 different types of tests Binax has.

One is normal self test, the other has a virtual visit component with medical professional supervising you taking the exam (box says to not open until instructed to do so). Only this latter test is valid for returning flight to USA.

Posted by
3985 posts

Do the boxes say anything about having CDC approval to use to return to the US?

Posted by
374 posts

Not sure, but everyone on this site and online has been using these tests to fly back into the USA without any issues. Again it has to be a specific Abbott "home test" not the "self test"

Posted by
3985 posts

Interesting. So “home test” means it’s acceptable to use to return to the US but self test doesn’t?

Posted by
2267 posts

@Continental - The differences are not so clearly defined. The Binex test one needs to have a certified result for travel is also referred to as "proctored" or "with tele-med services"

Posted by
3985 posts

Thanks, Scudder. I have not seen a Binax box say that at local drugstores so it sounds like I will have to buy them online if it indeed becomes necessary.