Private Covid test for travel
Get a Covid-19 PCR test kit from your nearest Covid test centre. Receive your coronavirus results next-day by 11:59pm.
by Caroline
Free fit to fly certificate included
UK government approved provider
Next-day results by 11:59pm
Fit to Fly Test
What is a fit to fly Covid-19 test for travel?
A fit to fly certificate is a medical certificate signed by an NHS trained UK General Medical Council (GMC) doctor. The certificate will show that you are fit to fly, with no symptoms of Covid-19 and a low risk of spreading coronavirus to other people in the country you intend to fly to.
Where can I get a fit to fly certificate test near me?
Medicspot offers a private Covid-19 PCR test complete with a signed fit to fly certificate. We’ll send a simple swab test for you to perform at home. If you test negative for Covid-19, we can provide you with a certified Covid-19 fit to fly medical certificate signed by a UK General Medical Council (GMC) doctor. Please note that we can only issue a fit to fly letter from GP if you test negative for Covid-19. To book your fit to fly Covid test, click here.
Is the fit to fly certificate guaranteed to be accepted by all airlines?
Our direct real-time PCR (RT-PCR method) Covid-19 swab tests are fully certified and accredited by Public Health England, ensuring your test results will be accepted by your airline and embassy. The PCR antigen swab test is the only test which is universally accepted by all airlines including Emirates, Thai Airways and British Airways.
Pre-Departure Testing
Do I have to take a pre-departure Covid-19 test before I travel?
Yes, you are required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test result taken 3 days before you depart to England.
How soon should I take the test before I travel?
You must take your test within the 3 days prior to departure. For example, if you’re travelling to England on Thursday, you must take your test on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday before departure.
What happens if I don’t take a pre-departure test?
If you fail to show evidence of a negative Covid-19 test result, you may not be able to travel to the UK. If you arrive in the UK without proof of a negative test result, you may be fined. Please see the government website for more information.
Travel Test Package (Day 2 and 8 Testing)
What is a Covid-19 travel test package?
It’s mandatory to perform two Covid-19 tests after international travel. You’re required to perform a test on or before day 2 for variant surveillance and another test on or after day 8 of your quarantine to check you do not have coronavirus.
How much does the travel test package cost?
Each package costs £210 and can be booked through the government website. Alternatively, you can get notified when Medicspot launches its Travel Testing Package.
What happens if I don’t take the test?
The tests are mandatory. If you do not take the tests, you may face a penalty of up to £2,000. Please see the government website for the latest information.
Test to Release
What is the Test to Release scheme?
If you arrive in England from somewhere outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man you must quarantine for 10 days on arrival. Under the Test to Release scheme you can choose to pay for a private COVID-19 test with a provider like Medicspot as you cannot use tests provided by NHS Test & Trace under this scheme. If the result is negative, you can end your self-isolation period. Please note that you cannot take a test until you have been in England for 5 full days.
How can I take part in the scheme?
You can book in your test with a government-approved private test provider like Medicspot or you can choose to opt in to the scheme on the government’s passenger locator form.
Is the Test to Release scheme mandatory?
No, Test to Release is voluntary. If you choose not to take part in the Test to Releaser scheme you must self isolate for 10 days upon return from a country not on the travel corridor list.
More information
Walk in Covid test centre
Need private Covid testing near me? Get your Covid test kit today or order your at home Covid test kit.
Book your Covid PCR test online
Reserve your Covid-19 PCR test kit for instant collection.
Visit your nearest Covid test centre
Pick up your test kit then perform and drop-off your sample.
Receive your Covid-19 test result
You'll receive your results and doctor-signed certificate by email.
Private Covid test centres
Visit your nearest private Covid 19 test centre for same-day collection.
Covid test travel guides
Find out what you need to know before travelling to your destination.
Private Covid-19 PCR test kit
Our Covid Test Hubs allow you to pick up and drop off your Covid-19 PCR test kit.
Book your Covid test kit onlineCovid test centre FAQs
If you do not take the tests, you may face a penalty of up to £2,000. Whilst if you provide false or deliberately misleading information, you may be fined or imprisoned. Please see the government website for the latest rules and regulations.
What should I do before I travel?
You must:
1. Take a Covid-19 PCR test and get a negative result during the 3 days before you travel.
2. Book and pay for a travel test package, which will include Covid-19 tests to be taken on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of your quarantine.
3. Complete a passenger locator form with details of where you will quarantine when you arrive complete with a travel test package booking reference number.
Where can I get a private Covid-19 test for travel near me?
Medicspot offers a private Covid-19 test service for travel which you can access at each of our walk-in Covid test centres. Simply book your test for instant collection online, visit your nearest Covid test centre, pick up your test kit, perform and drop off your sample.
What is a Covid-19 PCR test?
A Covid-19 PCR test looks for the Covid-19 virus on a swab sample collected from the back of the throat and nose. Our private Covid-19 testing is provided by world-class UKAS accredited laboratories on CE marked PCR assay machines to provide fast and reliable results.
How accurate is your Covid-19 PCR test?
Please follow the instructions carefully to ensure swabs are correctly taken from the throat and nose. Our private Covid-19 PCR test has a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 100% when performed correctly.
How much does a private Covid test cost?
You can purchase a Covid-19 PCR test with next-day results for only £149.
Where is my nearest Covid test centre?
If you qualify for a free NHS Covid-19 test, you can find and select your nearest NHS Covid testing centre as part of the booking process. You can find your nearest Medicspot Covid test centre by clicking on your town/city and finding your nearest test centre.
What time does the Covid test centre open?
Medicspot Covid test centres have different opening and closing times. Each test centre will display its opening and closing times clearly on the website. Please ensure your test sample is dropped off by 2 pm so you get your results next-day by 11:59pm.
When will I get my coronavirus test result?
After the lab receives your sample, you will get your Covid-19 test results next-day by 11:59pm.
If I get a positive result, will I be immune to Covid-19?
If you get a positive result for Covid-19, you need to follow government guidelines. There is not enough research to confirm if you are immune to Covid-19 or how long you may be immune for.
Can I get my Covid-19 PCR test delivered?
Our Priority Courier Covid-19 test includes next-day delivery in the UK. This is accepted by all major airlines and workplaces.
When should I perform my swab sample?
It’s recommended that you check with your airline provider as destinations have varying time window requirements, usually within 96, 72 or 48 hours before departure. Please check to make sure we can meet the time window required by your airline provider and destination.
How does it work?
Your employees can perform a test sample themselves and can choose to send their swab to our lab using the pre-paid Royal Mail return label or by using one of our drop off locations.
When should I order my fit to fly Covid-19 test?
Your fit to fly Covid test should be ordered well in advance of your flight to ensure your sample is received and confirmation of your test result and fit to fly certificate are emailed through to you before your departure.
What does my private Covid-19 test include?
Your private test kit will include instructions, a cotton swab, sample tube, clear sealable bag and a return box with a security label.
Do you offer corporate Covid-19 testing?
Yes. We provide Covid-19 testing and fit to fly certificates for companies with rapid turnaround so you can avoid travel disruption. Save over 25% in bulk discounts on Covid-19 testing for your workplace with our Wholesale Covid PCR tests. Medicspot is a CQC regulated provider and our labs are UKAS accredited.
How will I receive my test results and fit to fly certificate?
You will receive your test results and fit to fly certificate via email.
What information will appear on my fit to fly Covid-19 certificate?
The PDF copy of your certificate will include your negative test result signed by an NHS trained UK General Medical Council (GMC) doctor confirming that you are fit and safe to travel.
Who can order a Medicspot Covid-19 test?
Our private Covid-19 tests are available for anyone to order.
How much does a Medicspot Covid-19 test cost?
Both of the test kits we provide cost only £149 with next day results.
How do I contact customer service?
You can get in touch with a member of our friendly customer service team via live chat here.
Can I get a same day Covid-19 test?
Yes. With our Covid Test Hubs, you can pick up and complete your swab today from a participating pharmacy. Your sample must be performed and dropped off by 2pm for same day for processing at one of our labs. You can then expect to receive your results and certificate the next day by 11:59pm.
What is a rapid antigen Covid-19 test?
A rapid antigen test detects protein fragments specific to Coronavirus. It can be done in a clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital. Rapid antigen tests have a quick turnaround time with results being reported within 15-30 minutes. Medicspot’s rapid antigen testing service will be provided soon when required for travel.
Is Medicspot legit?
Yes. Medicspot is a government-approved provider of private Covid testing. Medicspot is regulated by the Care Quality Commission and our laboratory partners are accredited by UKAS and used by the NHS.