ameliapond

We're temporarily in Valencia and we need these rapid tests to enter Italy, we had these tests in France in the pharmacy for free, I had them in Italy for €23, I see around here they cost about double. Any suggestion on where to get these at the lowest available price?

DLC

If you go to the lab, the first three results in this list are from €35 to €40.

Joppa

30-35 euro is about average in Spain.

SanNico

Go to UCV in Valencia, behind Mercat Central, and they are 20 Euro. You need to book the appointment.

ValTay0607

Why are these tests free in pharmacies in France yet not in Italy or Spain and why are they dearer in Spain?

Joppa

I suppose for the same reason that you can get free Covid test in UK, but it cannot be used for travel purposes. If there is no price control, as in Spain, they can offer the test at a price of their choosing, and only local competition will bring it down.

craigdnl

I'm not sure about Valencia, but in Madrid we can have the test for free now in at least one transfer metro station, maybe there is something like this there?

growinspain

If needed for travel, ie. a holiday or business then there should be competition for lowest price and the user should pay.
I would not want my taxes going to pay for a traveler making it easier for them to come and see their 2nd home or attend a stag or hen do and the business traveler can have his/her company pay for it.

If price is a problem, then maybe it is not the right time to be "going on a holiday".

ameliapond

I did exactly that. Thank you.

SanNico

You're welcome. I try to mention it as often as possible as there are a lot of places ripping people off charging upwards of 50 Euro. I suggested a sticky for all Covid related factual answers but it fell on deaf ears.

I was also surpirsed at the cheaper costs in Italy. I paid 65 for a PCR there, the cheapest I found here, at UCV, was 80. All still much cheaper than the UK though.

dmu

Apparently PCR and antigen tests will no longer be free in France for tourists, as from 7th July.
Whatever the cost of the tests, and wherever, it shouldn't represent much in a traveller's general budget, otherwise they wouldn't plan such a long Pan-European trip.

dmu

FWIW, DD1 who is French but is resident in Germany and no longer in the French S.S. System, paid 25€ for an antigen test at the pharmacie (no appointment needed) before travelling back last week.