by The Spanish government has accused the English-language media of spreading a “hoax” about asking British tourists to prove they have a certain amount of money to enter the country.
In recent weeks, there have been widespread news reports claiming that holidaymakers may have to show proof of funds worth £97 a day during their visit, or risk being refused entry by Spanish border officials in.
Some news outlets have described the rule as “controversial” and British tourists are said to have “slammed” the rule and threatened to “boycott” Spain as a result.
However, said a spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior of Spain The Telegraph that the £97 rule was misreported in Britain.
“These are not systematic controls on tourists and no entry has been refused as a result,” they said. “This is a hoax spread from time to time by the English media, lacking in rigor and without any basis.”
Although the rule is in the fine print of the Schengen Borders Code, it is important to be aware of the wider context. Namely: it’s not a new rule, it doesn’t just affect visitors from the UK, and there’s currently no precedent for it causing any problems for British tourists.
Does the ‘£97 a day’ rule really exist?
Yes. Technically, third nation (non-EU) citizens entering Spain could be asked to provide evidence that they have the funds to cover their stay in the country. If requested, visitors may be required to show that they have a minimum of €113.40 (£96.80) per day during their trip. This proof could be in the form of cash, traveller’s cheques, or credit card as well as a printed statement. You may also be asked for proof of accommodation and a return or onward ticket. Full details of the rule can be found on the website of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.
Has anyone ever been refused entry?
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has confirmed that no British tourist is allowed entry to Spain after failing to provide evidence of funds.
It seems that tourists are rarely asked the question. In a poll conducted by Chelsea Dickenson of cheapholidayexpert.com, 98.6 percent of 1,373 respondents said they had not been asked to testify at passport control in Spain. Only three gave examples where proof of funds was requested (two in Alicante, one in Madrid) – all said they disappeared when they presented a credit card.
Travel Telegraph Expert Annie Bennett, who flies frequently between the UK and Spain, says she has never come across the £97 rule being enforced and has called the reports “tabloid hysteria”.
Sally Davies, The TelegraphThe Barcelona expert says: “It’s all just a cloud. Spain loves tourists and falls over itself to accommodate them.”
Is the new rule for 2024?
It officially came into force for British holidaymakers when the UK left the European Union on 1 January 2021. Then, the daily amount listed in the Spanish border control fine print was €100 (£83.52 at the time).
Are British tourists the only ones affected?
The proof of funds technicality applies to any citizen of the Schengen area. But Spanish passport officials don’t seem to be applying it to holidays from further afield, either. Said Ken Baldwin, director and travel consultant at travel agency Totally Spain The Telegraph: “It hasn’t affected any of our clients, who come mainly from the United States and Canada. [It has] it was never brought up with us.”
Is Spain the only European country that applies this rule?
The requirement for tourists to provide proof of funds applies to all countries in the Schengen area, not just Spain. And the amount of money varies between countries. For example, France has a similar rule requiring proof of (possible) €120 per day, Belgium €95, Poland €66, Germany €45: the Foreign Office, Commonwealth has a note and Development (FCDO) throughout the country. their EU pages warn you that you may be asked for proof of funds at border control.
Do I need to do anything about this before my holiday?
If you want to avoid any friction at passport control, bring printed evidence of your accommodation booking, details of your return flight, as well as a recent credit card statement along with the card itself – or cash, although obviously traveling with large amounts of cash. risks. If you don’t do the above, be sure that there is currently no precedent for you being turned away by Spanish passport control (or any EU nation) because you don’t have enough money, and there should be easy access to proof of accommodation and return flight details in your emails, if required.
