Minimum spend in Spain

[XingMing]

There's an article in the press suggesting that the Spanish authorities may demand to see evidence of tourists having enough money to spend £85 per person per day, and proof that holiday accommodation is pre-paid. Does this strike you as reasonable or a bit intrusive?

M’eh. Can’t get worked up about it. Suppose if someone is going AI and not planning on spending a penny it could be an issue but then I’d think you’d have that amount in your bank if you’re able to go on holiday.

There was a thread about it yesterday.

Some people pointed out that we have to do that for some other countries (and indeed some visitors to the UK have to do similar). But obviously it is a change from pre-Brexit days.

Existing thread:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4597513-eu-border-entry-requirements-because-of-brexit-need-to-prove-you-have-ps85-per-day-to-spend

Is it per person, per family, per adult? My understanding is a credit card is ok... but if its person, for a 7 day holiday...

£595 for one person
£1190 for two people
£1785 for three people
£2380 for four people

Then what about a school trip for example?

I've seen it reported in the press but haven't heard stories of people being asked for the information.

It's not a new rule it's just that we now come under it following Brexit

Been to Spain last week, never mentioned to us by anyone whilst on holiday

Sorry to duplicate. I didn't see the other thread. I've just come back as well, but we weren't asked either.

There's not a chance we would have enough in the bank or on a credit card to cover that. I mean, who spends 500 quid a day?

Some people pointed out that we have to do that for some other countries (and indeed some visitors to the UK have to do similar)

Yep, in fact it's probably a requirement for most countries, has been for years.

Look at immigration fine print for most anywhere around the world and you'll probably find there will some form of requirement that a traveller should be able to prove to the satisfaction of the Border Officer they have enough funds, or easy access to funds, to sustain them during their planned stay, plus often a return ticket/proof of accommodation.

I think the reality is such proof is rarely asked for, unless the official is particularly bored or the traveller has rung some bells, so to speak.

In the context of Spain all that has happened is the UK has left the EU so Brits are now subject to the full entry rules, similar will apply for anywhere in the EU.

This is a requirement for most countries. Basically you need a return ticket, a place to stay and access to funds.

It's usually only checked if they feel you're not likely to go home after your holiday. Now we're not EU we have no automatic right to live and work in Spain.

If you've booked a package tour they're not likely to demand to see this.

This page gives a good explanation:

www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/explaining-spains-e100-per-day-entry-requirement/

Can you clarify this part - "and proof that holiday accommodation is pre-paid", with an official link if possible?

All the other requirements are normal for entry into a country, but are waived for citizens of single market countries when travelling within Europe.

The requirement for prepaid accommodation is unusual - Croatia had this requirement all during COVID for non-EU citizens, so Spain certainly can, but I can't find it anywhere that they actually have?

Thanks.

To add:

Here's the US version, it's not atypical of what you see for other countries:

help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-796?language=en_US#:~:text=Yes.,be%20admitted%20into%20the%20U.S.

No actual amount stated but:

"Travelers visiting the United States from a foreign country must be able to prove to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer that they have sufficient funds, i.e., credit card, cash, travelers’ checks, money order to cover travel, lodging, entertainment, meals, etc. to be admitted into the United States."

Leaves the CBP Officer with a lot of scope if he/she takes a dislike...

Sorry - "within Europe" should be "within European single market countries".

I had provide similar info and evidence visiting UK from a non schengen country. So fair enough imo.

It's up to Spain what rules it has to protect its borders from non-EU nationals. 🤷‍♀️

Such click bait news reporting. Even as a late teen/young adult travelling, countries required this (20 odd years ago). A credit card suffices, you’re not usually asked and you shouldn’t really be going away with insufficient funds anyway.

it’s very unlikely you’ll be asked, the press are just trying to sensationalise everything as usual. Fwiw, if you just go away with a few hundred quid in your pocket and no credit card, what would you do if your flight was cancelled/stuck in airport/a pandemic broke out. None of these are unbelievable given the last few years so for your own sake you should have access to additional/unlikely to need funds if you’re leaving the country anyway.

I doubt the majority of travellers will be asked to show proof but it gives border control officers a handy tool if anyone is giving them grief or giving off dodgy vibes.

As usual it's a non story designed to whip up a fury about 'unfair' treatment of good, honest British citizens being penalised by the nasty EU
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No-one's going to turn someone away because they 'only' have 90 euro a day spending money for their week in Benidorm, nor the family who've booked an all inclusive and don't plan to spend much extra because all their food, drink and leisure/entertainment is already paid for.

In the infinitely tiny possibility that they are asked about their plans to return home and means of support then their booking details and card/spending money will be fine. I highly doubt that Spanish immigration has the resources to ask these questions of all the millions of Brits who holiday there each year.

But if someone turns up with a one way ticket and a vague plan to sleep on a mate's sofa 'and look for bar work' - I know a few people who live in Spain and I know a few people who've gone to see them on this basis, then they should now expect the possibility that they won't be allowed to enter the country.

Moral of the story, if you are planning to go to Spain or any other EU country with little or no money and look for (illegal?) work, book the cheapest package holiday you can find with at least HB so you will look credible if asked what you plan to do for bed and board while you're there. Then rip up the return ticket.