Following headlines sparking outrage over ‘new rules’ requiring Britons to show proof of their finances on entry, Spain’s tourist board issued a statement to ‘set the record straight hour”.

As the summer holidays approach, a series of alarmist headlines have emerged warning holidaymakers traveling to Spain that they could be turned away if they cannot prove funds amounting to €100 for each day of their stay. travel.

These are requirements that have been put in place under EU rules for all third-party nationals, which is what UK citizens have become with Brexit, as the Spanish Tourist Board has tried to make it clear. underline ; This is not a new rule; it’s not exclusive to UK travellers; and this is not a requirement reserved for Spain.

“The requirement for British travelers to be able to demonstrate sufficient means for the duration of their stay and return is set out in the Schengen Borders Code and is not a requirement specific to Spain,” said Manuel Butler, director from the Spanish Tourist Board in the UK. said.

“This is not a new requirement and has been in place for some time for visitors from outside the European Union or Schengen area.

“On entry to Spain, these checks are not systematically carried out for each traveler.”

He pointed out that the same rule was in place for visitors arriving in the UK.

“Similarly, travelers coming to the UK are also required to show that they have specific means to support themselves and their dependents for the duration of the journey and the ability to pay for the return or continuation of the journey.”

Travelers are unlikely to be asked by border guards to present this proof, but any traveler should be prepared to do so and have the required documentation if they do so.

The UK Foreign Office details the rules in the “Entry Requirements” section on Spain on its website.

“In addition to a valid return or onward ticket, travelers to Spain may also be asked to:

• show that you have enough money for your stay. More information is available from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior (in Spanish).
• show proof of accommodation for your stay, such as a hotel booking confirmation, proof of address if you are visiting your own property (e.g., second home), or an invitation from your host or proof of address if you are staying with a third party, friends or family. The Spanish government has clarified that the “carta de invitation” is one of the options available to prove that you have accommodation if you are staying with friends or family. More information is available from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.

Staff at the British Embassy in Spain reiterated that this was a new thing enforced by the Spanish authorities.

“We wanted to make it clear that there have been no changes to the guidelines this summer,” the UK Embassy pointed out on its Brits in Spain Facebook group.

“In summary, UK nationals entering the Schengen area (into any country) as tourists may need to provide additional documentation at the border.”

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