The Spanish Tourist Board has issued a statement for UK holidaymakers after reports of new rules for tourists.
Tourists may have to prove they have around £85 available in their account per person per day of trip - but the tourist board says this is not a new rule.
According to Chronicle Live, to 'set the record straight', Manuel Butler, the Spanish Tourist Office director (UK), said: “The requirement for UK travellers to be able to illustrate sufficient means for the duration of their stay and the return is established in the Schengen Borders Code and is not a Spain-specific requirement.”
Read more: Step-by-step guide on what is needed if travelling from NI to Spain
He added: “This is not a new requirement and has been in place for some time for visitors from outside of the European Union or Schengen area.
“When entering Spain, these checks are not systematically carried out for every traveller." He pointed out that there are similar rules for visitors entering the UK, adding: "Likewise, travellers coming to the UK are also required to show that they have specific means to support themselves and any dependents for the duration of the trip and the ability to pay for the return or onward journey."
Current rules on Spain's Ministry of Interior website say: "Currently, the minimum amount of money that you need to prove you have is €100 per person per day (£85), with a minimum of €900 (or its equivalent in foreign money) effective from January 1, 2022."
Additional documents required by tourists
At Spanish border control, you may need to:
- show a return or onward ticket
- show you have enough money for your stay
- show proof of accommodation for your stay, for example, a hotel booking confirmation, proof of address if visiting your own property (e.g. second home), or an invitation from your host or proof of their address if 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 staying with friends or family. More information is available from the Spanish Ministry of Interior.
The UK Foreign Office is reported to have said: "At Spanish border control, you may need to show a return or onward ticket; show you have enough money for your stay; show proof of accommodation for your stay, for example, a hotel booking confirmation, proof of address if visiting your own property (eg second home), or an invitation from your host or proof of their address if 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 staying with friends or family.”
READ NEXT:
- Drunk man arrested on Ryanair flight after trying to open emergency exit door amid delays
- Travel insurance warning and top tips for NI holidaymakers ahead of predicted strike disruption
- Spain holidays: Ryanair crew announce 12 new strike dates
-
Our tool shows how likely it is your Belfast flight will be delayed
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
