Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Will you have to pay to travel to Spain? The new entry requirements explained
Reading Time: 3 minutesNews broke recently about the potential for British holidaymakers to be required to prove they have a certain level of funds when they travel to Spain. Those jetting off to sunnier climes may have to prove they have money to spend – at least £85 per day, per person – in order to enter the country.
But why are these rules being proposed, and what do they mean for us in the UK?
Financial requirements
When you land in the country, you may be asked to prove you have sufficient funds to spend during your stay. Border control could ask all arrivals to prove this in order to ensure they can cover the cost of their break under new rules introduced by the Spanish ministry.
At least £85 per person, per day (about €100) could be required, and a minimum of €900. This is approximately £763. Other equivalent foreign currencies are also acceptable.
Sufficient funds can be proven by providing certified checks, traveller’s checks, credit cards accompanied by a bank statement or updated bank book or payment letters. Letters from banks or internet bank statements will not be accepted, however. You may be asked to provide one or more of these forms of proof.
Other documentation
Financial documents may not be the only thing traveller’s need to enter Spain. As always, a passport will be required – but make sure your passport fits the rules! UK passport holders must meet two entry requirements, independent of one another.
Your passport must be issued less than 10 years before the date you enter Spain. Make sure to check the date of issue carefully! Your passport must also be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave Spain. Always check the dates on your passport well before you travel.
Tourists travelling to Spain from the UK will also be required to show proof of a return or onward travel ticket. On top of this, you could be asked to show evidence of your accommodation for the duration of your stay. This could include a proof of address if visiting your own property, such as a holiday home or if you are staying with friends or family. If you are staying in a hotel or Air BnB, for example, you should have a booking confirmation.
Spanish nationals
If a Spanish National is hosting you in their home, they must provide the Spanish Government with an official document. This is a document requested by someone living in Spain who is hosting a non-EU national. When this has been confirmed by the government, a host must send an invitation letter to their guest, who can present the document to border control as proof of accommodation during their stay. You may be denied entry if you cannot provide this.
If you have dual citizenship with an EU country or have Spanish citizenship, you will not need to provide any form of ‘invitation’ from those who you are staying with. If you are travelling into the country for work reasons, you could be asked to show an invitation from a company or local authority.
Passport stamps
Passport stamps must be given on your entry and exit from the country. These are to ensure you are complying with 90-day or 180-day vis-free time periods in the country. This has been applied to all UK passport holders since the UK left the EU.
What about Covid?
This all sounds like a hassle on its own – but don’t forget, Spain still requires all visitors over the age of 12 to provide proof of vaccination or negative Covid tests. You must still provide one of the following:
- Proof of full vaccination
- A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure
- A negative antigen test taken within 24 hours before departure
- Proof of recovering from Covid in the past 6 months, such as a medical certificate
When it comes to proof of vaccination, travellers over the age of 18 must have received two doses of a vaccine (or one dose of a single dose vaccine) at least 14 days before departure. You must also have received it within the last 270 days before the date of travel. You may need to receive a booster to be considered fully vaccinated.
Those ages 12-17 do not need a booster to qualify as fully vaccinated, even if 270 days have passed. Children under 11 years old do not need to show proof of a negative Covid test or proof of vaccination in order to enter the country.
What do you think about these new rules for Brits when they travel to Spain? We want to hear your thoughts!
If you voted for Brexit you voted for this.
Another stupid / harsh decision on top of their dumb Covid measures. I suggest we all abstain until they realise their economy needs us.
Their loss if it puts off a lot of Brits.
These new rules to enter Spain are disgusting and disgraceful. I for one will never visit Spain whilst they are in place. All Governments are doing is stopping people from travelling freely, anywhere; so they can have even more control over the population. Everyone should refuse to visit any country that puts things like this in place. When they go ‘bust’ because they are not getting any tourists/visitors, they will soon change their tactics!