PCR Test Results

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Crikey, what on earth does that mean???

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@EVTRA is referring (I think) to the rumours that the vaccine is a nefarious plot to turn us all into microchipped Bill Gates kill bots. And do you really want to risk it?! :-)

I think you'll probably be OK...

As @EVTRA so rightly said, BG PCR test results are provided in Bulgarian and English.

Take your passport with you and try to make sure that the person giving you the test puts your name and passport number as per your passport. This will make life easier when showing the result to border control.

Note that you need a test within 72 hours of arrival, so you need to coordinate your test, getting the result, and catching your flight. Usually, but not always, the result is available next day.

Normally, they give you a user name/password and website to get your result electronically, which you can download to your phone. The UK accepts both electronic and paper certificates.

If you prefer a paper certificate (or you're going somewhere that requires one), you usually need to go back and have them print and certify (stamp/sign) the certificate.

The UK Guidance is here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus … to-england

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There is a link on the British Embassy's website to a list of covid-19 testing centres in Bulgaria that just leads to an error 404 page.

Can anyone advise of where to go for a covid-19 test in Sofia prior to returning to the UK?

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You can do one at the airport if you leave enough time. Best to go the day before ANF stay a night in Sofia before flying.

Good point @Faculty!

It's by Genica (genica.bg) and it's in Terminal 2 for 130 bg.

Walk-ins + online registration.

Results available online after 2 hours, so it should be feasible to do just before catching your flight.

It is worth keeping an eye on flights, as flights from the UK are being cancelled left, right and centre across the EU. From the 1st of June, there is a Landing ban in Austria from the UK for a minimum of 3 weeks. You are unable to fly to Germany unless you are a German citizen or resident.

Thanks everyone!

So why can't you just say they're available in English, instead of an attempt at being witty / smart.
What comes easy to some folk, might just be a tad more difficult to understand for others.

You just add another level of complexity to work with.

Anyway I think you copied your reply from  the Polymerase Chain Reaction tests for dummies book.

Mike

I think Bulgaria is accepting the Rapid Antigen test as well as the PCR test, both for entry (but with 72 hrs prior to entry OK for PCR, only 48 hours prior for Rapid Antigen) and for early release from home quarantine (if taken within 24 hours of entry into BG). The PCR test is much more expensive, so if you don't need it, you can save a few bob.

My partner just flew in from Spain on Ryanair this past weekend, no hassles at all. She didn't take a test in Spain (150 euros/300 leva for PCR), and opted for home quarantine, and took the Rapid Antigen after arrival (only 35 leva at Pulmed, Plovdiv). (But she has a BG residence permit, so that might make it easier.)

Just for peace of mind. I have a flight booked from Burgas this Monday so if I travel there tomorrow will I be able to get a pcr test and the result before 14.00 on Monday. Plenty of flights leaving so there must be plenty of people needing these tests.

My friends traveled last week from Burgas to the UK, they just did the rapid antigen test which was around 30 Lev. The results were back within a few hours if not sooner. They flew with whizair

Were your fiends fully vaccinated. If not do you then need a pcr test. Do you know. Thanks.

Absolutely NOT! None of us agree with it.

Hi jules999, I am not vaccinated that is why I asked if they were. As I understand it you can have the rapid antigen test if you are vaccinated or recovering from covid but you need a pcr test if you are not. Well it would certainly be cheaper if that's the case. Like I say I fly Monday with Wizz air. I will go tomorrow and let you know how I get on if I get things right and I make the flight. Thanks for your replies.

No they were not vaccinated and did not go for the PCR test, they got the antigen test which was accepted by whizz, and considerably cheaper!
I hope you get on ok tomorrow.

Could be that BG is classed as green and Amber would be different rules. Fingers crossed. 🤞

@latics24

The UK requirements are here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-a … list-rules

Bulgaria is currently (as of 7 August) in the UK's "Green List", and the rules for travellers from a Green List country are:

"Before you travel to England you must:
    * take a COVID-19 test – children aged 10 and under do not need to take this test
    * book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England
    * complete a passenger locator form"

The Covid test can be a PCR test or the (much cheaper) Rapid Antigen test.

"This could include tests such as:
* a nucleic acid test, including a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or derivative technologies, including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests
* an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device"

The test results are provided in English and Bulgarian. You can access online (quicker), or go back to the test location and get an official (stamped) paper certificate. The UK accepts both.

"Your test result can be provided as:
* a printed document
* an email or text message you can show on your phone - make sure your device is charged"

The only thing that troubled me was the lack of testing clinics in southern Bulgaria and not knowing which test to take. I will post if I manage to jump all the hurdles but thanks for your links anyway. Bulgaria being classed as green certainly helps. Amber will cause more heartache I am sure.

OK, so this is how it went. I travelled to the airport a day early in case there was a problem or a delay in the test result. I went to the car park and found a few portacabins saying test centre on them. Went inside gave my passport and was given an antigen test in 2 minutes and a print out in 5 more mins. That was it for 49 lev and the cotton bud never event went up my nose. I went on money saving expert and found a drive through site in the UK for the 2nd day test. I booked this for £20 and again a antigen test. Seems like this is normal for returning from a green list country and a pcr test is only (advised)!  This was accepted no problem on the UK PLF. Big lines at the check in desk for Wizz air but sailed through with the documents. Big lines with only 2 Xray machines working at baggage security check. First time I have flown since Jan so was thinking I would be refused boarding which happened last Christmas. Anyway thanks for all the help and to Jules999 for pointing the way. Coming back will be a lot easier for sure. 😁

Brilliant news, really pleased for you that it went so smoothly! You're very welcome for the help.

Thank you again. You relieved a lot of stress with your post.

Maybe just be if people follow the news you would know all the regulations. Just sayin!!

Isn't that why this forum was created. The rules change while we sleep. Just saying!!!

Exactly latics24, this forum was created in order to provide information and assistance to those seeking it, let us never forget that. It's supposed to be a place in which expats can freely source advice & information from others without prejudice.

Looks like some people don't ever need help. How lucky. Oh well if I need it I will ask, no harm in that.

Hello! Do you know where i can do a PCR test in Sofia's center? And how many time it makes for have results?  Thanks

Could you advise which company you used in the UK. £20 is a lot cheaper than I have been paying. I think cheapest I paid was around £38.

£38 is really cheap.
PCR test in the US is $250.00 about £183

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UK may be cheaper than US. But still companies are making lots of money. We should make them compete to the lowest price possible. Of course they need to make a profit. But the profit should be reasonable.

Not '72 hours before arrival', but 72 hours before check in for you final leg of journey that lands in uk ... plane, ship or train.
When to take your test
You must take the test in the 3 days before the service on which you will arrive in England departs.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus … -your-test

I would be careful with the 72 hour thing.
I have heard of passengers (adult children of a friend) not being allowed on their flight because by the time they arrived it would be over 72 hours from their test.  To add insult to injury, they'd timed it so it would be 72 hours before arrival, and the reason they went over time was because the flight was delayed! They would have been still within 72 hours at the time of the flight departing.
But no, they had to go, find somewhere to stay for the night, get another test, and pay for another flight the next day.
The government makes the rules, but the airlines interpret how they apply them, and whether they allow someone on a flight is completely at their discretion.
Probably safest to err on the side of caution and work for 72 hours before arrival, plus allow a bit extra for delayed flights!

I don't think you can get as unambiguous as the wording on the UK government Web site.
However, you're right, in that the airline will have their own interpretation, but, when all said and done, they are wrong and it's probably worth asking to speak to a check in supervisor or manager with the government Web page to hand. I certainly would.

Vidin. Sorry I forgot to say the company I used in the UK for a £20 test was a drive through in Warrington called Eurofins and all went well.

I just had a week in the UK and returned yesterday. No problems leaving at all. Coming back all I needed was a passport and residency card and no docs at all to do with my covid status. I got to the baggage collection and stood in line for the Covid police to check me. I was told I need to quarantine for 10 days  but I am sure I can have a test today and post the results on a gov website in Haskovo or in Sofia. I didn't want to stand there and argue so l am on here needing help again. Has anyone else had or knows a friend that has had a test to release here in BG and if so do you know the Web address to to post the result on. Also Is it a pcr test or a antigen test I need. Thanks.