Travel takes a fair amount of preparation during corona. What exactly do you need, and what documents are required? Travelling with a PCR test has some advantages compared to the Antigen Rapid Test; below, you will read what they are.
Within the EU, the regulations on corona proof are unanimous: travelers must be fully vaccinated, have a recovery certificate, or a negative corona test. If you travel with a negative test, this can be either a PCR test or an Antigen Rapid Test. An Antigen Rapid Test has a shorter validity than a PCR test. An Antigen Rapid Test may not be older than 24 hours upon departure. For a PCR test, that is 72 hours. Due to the short validity of the Antigen Rapid Test, it’s key to be extra aware of when you need to take the test before departure to be valid.
In most countries, a PCR test is valid for 72 hours. Therefore, the validity period of a PCR test offers more flexibility, especially if you travel abroad for a short trip. For example, if you take your PCR test on the day of departure, you can use the same certificate to return after a two-day trip.
Take your corona test before your flight departure at our conveniently located test locations in Bunnik or Schiphol. When you take the Covid-19 PCR Emergency Test, you will receive your results by email within 30 minutes. During testing, you can remain in the car, and the process will take no longer than 5 minutes. Along with your test result, you will receive a worldwide accepted travel certificate, your proof to travel.
Soon you will be able to upload the negative test result of your PCR test in the CoronaCheck app. This is useful for travelling within the EU or showing your corona pass at specific locations in the Netherlands. Incidentally, a paper version of the negative PCR test is still expected in many countries. So, keep in mind that different rules may apply for travel outside Europe.
Until then, you can go anywhere with a paper certificate from Spoedteststraat. Abroad at restaurants and other locations, you will often have to show your proof. Make sure you always have the certificate at hand, on your phone, or paper.