In Countries that Require a COVID-19 Test, Who is Responsible for the Cost?

In order to restart travel but maintain a level of safety, many countries are requiring incoming visitors to have a negative PCR COVID-19 test – either in their home country prior or at the airport upon their arrival. In most cases, passengers will be responsible for the cost of the test.

Iceland
While Iceland is not yet permitting Americans entry into the country, tests are required for arrivals at Keflavík Airport if they want to bypass a two-week quarantine. Each test costs 50,000 ISK, or about $360. While the Icelandic government paid for the tests for the initial two weeks when borders reopened June 15, travelers now have to shoulder the costs. The goal is for samples to be taken from all arrivals in Keflavík, although travelers can skip the test if they bring sufficient proof that they have already been tested and do not have the virus.

Austria
Austria is also offering the option of taking a COVID-19 test at the Vienna International Airport, where results are available in two to three hours and, if negative, allows travelers to skip the 14-day quarantine. The tests cost 190 euros, or about $206, but visitors may present a medical certificate which confirms negative COVID-19 test results no older than four days.

Cambodia
Cambodia upon paying a $3,000 deposit to cover a mandatory COVID-19 test, hotel stays if a guest needs to be quarantined, and any necessary treatment fees. Those who test negative for the virus will only be charged a minimum of $165 for mandatory COVID-19 testing, and will be given back the remainder of their deposit.

Germany
Although travel is only open to those from within the Schengen associated states, Lufthansa recently announced it is partnering with COVID-19 test companies to offer customers coronavirus testing at both Frankfurt and Munich airports. The standard process test will cost 59 euros (about $67) including VAT with results within 6 hours, while the express process costs 139 euros (about $157) including VAT and results are within three hours.

Travelers coming from countries heavily impacted by the Coronavirus can avoid quarantine restrictions by following the German government’s requirements to provide medical documentation which contains a medical certificate on the health status of the traveler in addition to a negative test result. This can be issued by a doctor at Frankfurt Airport for an additional charge of 25 euros ($28).

Other destinations, particularly in the Caribbean, are requiring incoming travelers to present a negative COVID-19 swab test for entry. The Bahamas, Aruba, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, and Barbados all have a pretesting prerequisite in place.

Two states have also implemented this measure. Beginning Aug. 1, travelers to Hawaii with a valid negative COVID-19 test result taken up to 72 hours before arriving at a Hawaii airport will not be subject to the 14-day quarantine. Those visiting Alaska can also present a negative test to be exempt from the 14-day quarantine period.