Florence Airport: Covid Testing Availability And Accessibility

If you're travelling to Florence, you may be wondering whether the airport offers COVID-19 testing. As of 2021, COVID-19 testing was available at Florence Airport, where the Misericordia carried out serological, PCR, and rapid antigen tests for travellers. Tests were conducted in front of the airport entrance daily between 8:00 and 15:00. However, it is always a good idea to check for the most recent information regarding testing requirements and availability, as this may have changed.

Covid testing at Florence airport

As of 2021, Covid-19 testing is available at Florence Airport. The Misericordia carries out serological, PCR, and rapid antigen tests pre-departure and on arrival. Tests are carried out in front of the airport entrance daily between 8:00 and 15:00. Booking online in advance is recommended. Serological tests cost 15 euros, rapid antigen tests cost 20 euros (35 euros for those without an airline ticket or boarding pass), and PCR tests cost 75 euros.

If you are travelling to Florence, it is important to check the testing requirements for your specific country of origin. For example, as of October 2021, travellers from the UK were required to produce a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before their arrival in Italy. Alternatively, travellers could take a free Covid-19 test at the airport when they arrived in Italy. This usually took 30 minutes to an hour. However, travellers were not permitted to leave the airport until they had received their result, and if they tested positive, they were required to quarantine until two consecutive negative tests had been recorded.

Please note that testing requirements may have changed since 2021. It is recommended that travellers refer to official government advice for the most up-to-date information.

Testing requirements for Florence

At the airport

The Misericordia organisation carries out COVID-19 testing at Florence Airport, in front of the airport entrance. Tests are available daily between 8:00 and 15:00. You can book online. Serological tests cost 15 euros, rapid antigen tests cost 20 euros (35 euros for those without an airline ticket or boarding pass), and PCR tests cost 75 euros.

Please note that some Italian airports do not have COVID-19 testing facilities, so it is important to check in advance.

In the city

There are several testing options in the city of Florence.

Private clinic, Piazza della Indipendenza: Rapid antigen testing for 15 euros, with results given 15-20 minutes after swabbing. Available Monday to Friday, 11:30-13:30, Saturday mornings, and until 3 pm on Mondays and Thursdays. PCR testing costs 78 euros and can be booked Monday to Friday, 9:30-12:00, and Saturdays, 8:30-10:30. Results are available within six hours. You must bring a valid passport or identity card.

Synlab: Real-time PCR testing in 13 locations across Florence. Book by calling +39 055 4211617 or book online. Results are usually available within 48 hours. You can request a report in English within 24 hours of taking the test. PCR tests cost 50 euros, plus an additional fee for an English report.

Biomolecular Diagnostic, Via Nicola Porpora 5: COVID-19 rapid antigen and PCR testing. Book by calling +39 570762 or email [email protected].

Piazza Libertà: Rapid antigen and PCR testing. Results can be received by email, ordinary mail, or collected in person at HeLab, Monday to Friday, 8:45-18:00.

Via Giano della Bella, Oltrarno: PCR tests with results in English.

Dr. Massimo Giontella, Piazza del Mercato Nuovo 1: Rapid antigen tests using the Roche test, with printed results in English or English and Italian, available in 15 minutes. Tests are available daily.

Farmacia della Condotta: Rapid antigen tests with results in English for 22 euros. You can book online.

Farmacia del Canto alle Rondini, Via Pietrapiana: Rapid antigen testing for 15 euros, with results in English.

Farmacia Roma Universale, Via dei Conti: Digital and printed results with a QR code. Book by calling +39 055 211980.

Farmacia Antica Molteni, Via Masaccio: Testing with results in Italian and/or English. You can book online.

Farmacia Reale Firenze Croci, Via Proconosolo 22r: Rapid antigen tests with printed results in English.

Testing requirements

As of October 8, 2024, British nationals must produce proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in Italy. If you do not have this, you can take a free COVID-19 test at the airport when you arrive, but you will not be allowed to leave until you have your result, which usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. If you test positive, you will be quarantined until two consecutive negative tests have been recorded.

Quarantine guidelines

Travellers arriving in Italy directly from the UK are usually exempt from the requirement to self-isolate. However, you will need to self-isolate if you travelled outside the UK in the 14 days prior to your arrival in Italy, or if you are arriving from a country for which there are still self-isolation requirements. If you develop symptoms and/or are diagnosed with COVID-19 while in Italy, you will be required to quarantine for a period of time.

Testing before flying to Florence

If you are travelling to Florence, it is important to check your country's travel advice before setting out. Many countries require a negative Covid-19 test result to travel. Here is a list of places where you can get tested before flying to Florence.

Florence Airport

The Misericordia carries out serological, PCR and rapid antigen tests pre-departure and on arrival. Tests are carried out in front of the airport entrance daily between 8:00 and 15:00. You can book online. Serological tests cost 15 euros; rapid antigen tests cost 20 euros (35 euros for those without an airline ticket or boarding pass); and PCR tests cost 75 euros.

Piazza della Indipendenza

This private clinic provides rapid antigen testing for 15 euros. Test results are given 15-20 minutes after swabbing. Available by reservation from Monday to Friday between 11:30 and 13:30 and on Saturday mornings; also available until 3 pm on Mondays and Thursdays. PCR testing costs 78 euros and can be booked Monday to Friday, 9:30-12 noon, Saturdays, 8:30-10.30. Results are given within six hours and the report is automatically provided in English. You must bring a valid passport or identity card.

Synlab

Medical testing company Synlab provides real-time PCR testing in 13 locations across Florence. To book, call +39 055 4211617 or book online. Results are usually available within 48 hours. You can request a report in English within 24 hours of taking the test. PCR tests cost 50 euros and there is an additional fee to receive the report in English.

Biomolecular Diagnostic

Biomolecular Diagnostic provides Covid-19 rapid antigen and PCR testing, which can be booked by calling +39 570762 or emailing [email protected].

Piazza Libertà

This centre provides rapid antigen and PCR testing. Results can be received by email, ordinary mail or collected in person at HeLab from Monday to Friday from 8:45 to 18:00.

Via Giano della Bella

This clinic in the Oltrarno provides PCR tests with results in English.

Dr. Massimo Giontella

English-speaking doctor Massimo Giontella offers rapid antigen tests at his clinic in piazza del Mercato Nuovo 1 Florence, as well as a home service. The Roche test is used and printed results, in English or English and Italian, are ready in 15 minutes. Tests are available daily.

Pharmacies

• Farmacia della Condotta: rapid antigen tests with results in English for 22 euros. You can book online.
• Farmacia del Canto alle Rondini: this pharmacy in via Pietrapiana provides rapid antigen testing for 15 euros with results in English.
• Farmacia Roma Universale: this pharmacy in via dei Conti, near the Medici Chapels, provides digital and printed results with a QR code. Book by calling +39 055 211980.
• Farmacia Antica Molteni: this pharmacy close to the Esselunga supermarket on via Masaccio does testing and gives results in Italian and/or English. You can book online.
• Farmacia Reale Firenze Croci: this pharmacy in via Proconosolo 22r provides rapid antigen tests with printed results. See information in English here.

Testing on arrival in Florence

As of 2023, some sources suggest that COVID-19 testing is available at Florence Airport, where the Misericordia carries out serological, PCR, and rapid antigen tests for pre-departure and on arrival. Tests are carried out in front of the airport entrance daily between 8:00 and 15:00. However, it is always a good idea to check with the airport directly, as testing facilities and requirements can change.

In 2021, one traveller reported that they were unable to get a COVID-19 test at the airport in Florence, but this may have changed.

If you are travelling to Florence, it is important to check the latest travel advice from your country of origin and the latest entry requirements for Italy. As of October 2021, travellers were required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in Italy. Alternatively, you could take a free COVID-19 test at the airport when you arrive. This usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, and you will not be allowed to leave the airport until you have your result. If you test positive, you will be required to quarantine until two consecutive negative tests have been recorded.

Please note that some airports in Italy do not have COVID-19 testing facilities, so if you are unable to get tested at the airport, you will need to self-isolate and take a test at an alternative facility within 48 hours of your arrival. You should call the COVID-19 helpline for the region you are travelling to in order to arrange this.

In addition to testing, health controls and temperature checks are also in place at Italian airports. All passengers must wear a face mask in and around the airport terminals, and social distancing guidelines must be followed.

Testing centres in Florence

Florence has several testing centres for COVID-19, offering rapid antigen and PCR tests.

Pharmacies

• Farmacia della Condotta: offers rapid antigen tests with results in English for €22. Book online.
• Farmacia del Canto alle Rondini: located in via Pietrapiana, this pharmacy provides rapid antigen testing for €15 with results in English.
• Farmacia Roma Universale: situated near the Medici Chapels on via dei Conti, this pharmacy provides digital and printed results with a QR code. Book by calling +39 055 211980.
• Farmacia Antica Molteni: close to the Esselunga supermarket on via Masaccio, this pharmacy does testing and gives results in Italian and/or English. Book online.
• Farmacia Selva: get a rapid antigen test at this pharmacy on via Ghibellina, 87, 50122 Firenze FI. Contact Farmacia Selva directly to book an antigen test.
• Farmacia Reale Firenze Croci: located in via Proconosolo 22r, this pharmacy provides rapid antigen tests with printed results. See information in English here.

Clinics

• Piazza della Indipendenza: this private clinic provides rapid antigen testing for €15. Test results are given 15-20 minutes after swabbing. Available by reservation from Monday to Friday between 11:30 and 13:30 and on Saturday mornings; also available until 3 pm on Mondays and Thursdays. PCR testing costs €78 and can be booked Monday to Friday, 9:30-12 noon, Saturdays, 8:30-10:30. Results are given within six hours and the report is automatically also provided in English. You must bring a valid passport or identity card.
• Piazza Libertà: provides rapid antigen and PCR testing. Results can be received by email, ordinary mail or collected in person at HeLab from Monday to Friday from 8:45 to 18:00.
• Via Giano della Bella: this clinic in the Oltrarno provides PCR tests with results in English.
• Piazza del Mercato Nuovo 1: English-speaking doctor Massimo Giontella's clinic offers rapid antigen tests using the Roche test (specificity 99.2%, sensitivity 95.5%). Printed results, in English or English and Italian, are ready in 15 minutes. Tests are available daily.
• San Francesco Pelago: this private hospital 30 minutes from Florence provides test results online. Rapid antigen tests are available by reservation only from Monday to Friday, 7:00-8:30 am for €15; results within 30 minutes. PCR tests are available from Monday to Friday for €80; results within 48-72 hours. Email [email protected] or call +39 055 8391400 from Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm.

Other centres

• Synlab: medical testing company Synlab provides real-time PCR testing in 13 locations across Florence. To book, call +39 055 4211617 or book online. Results are usually available within 48 hours. You can request a report in English within 24 hours of taking the test. PCR tests cost €50 plus an additional fee to receive the report in English.
• Biomolecular Diagnostic: situated on the western side of Florence (via Nicola Porpora 5), Biomolecular Diagnostic provides COVID-19 rapid antigen and PCR testing, which can be booked by calling +39 570762 or emailing [email protected].

Florence Airport

If all else fails, you can get tested at Florence Airport, where the Misericordia carries out serological, PCR and rapid antigen tests pre-departure and on arrival. Tests are carried out in front of the airport entrance daily between 8:00 and 15:00. Book online. Serological tests cost €15; rapid antigen tests: €20 (€35 for those without an airline ticket or a boarding pass); PCR tests: €75.

Frequently asked questions