The Spanish government has accused the British media of spreading a “hoax” that British tourists are being asked to prove they have a certain amount of money to enter the country.
There have been widespread reports in recent weeks claiming holidaymakers may have to show proof of funds worth £97 per day for the duration of their visit or risk being refused entry by Spanish border officials.
The rule was described as “controversial” by some news outlets, with British tourists allegedly “slamming” the rule and threatening to “boycott” Spain as a result.
However, a spokesman for the Spanish Ministry of Internal Affairs said: Telegram The £97 rule has been misreported in Britain.
“These are not systematic checks on tourists and therefore there is no refusal of entry,” he said. “This is an imprecise and unsubstantiated hoax, propagated from time to time by the British media.”
Although the rule is contained in the detailed text of the Schengen Borders Code, it is important to be aware of the broader context. Namely, this is not a new rule, it does not just affect visitors from the UK and there are currently no examples of it causing problems for British tourists.
Does the ‘£97 a day’ rule really exist?
Yes. Technically, third-country (non-EU) citizens entering Spain may be asked to provide evidence that they have the funds to sustain 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 for the duration of their trip. This evidence; It can be in the form of cash, traveler’s checks or credit card plus a printed statement. You may also be asked for proof of accommodation and a return or onward ticket. You can find full details of the rule on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Has anyone ever been denied entry?
Spain’s Home Office has confirmed that no British tourists have been refused entry to Spain if they cannot provide proof of funds.
It seems that tourists are rarely asked questions. In the survey conducted by Chelsea Dickenson from Cheapholidayexpert.com, 98.6 percent of 1,373 participants said that they were not asked for proof at passport control in Spain. She said only three gave examples of being asked for proof of funds (two in Alicante, one in Madrid) and each said they were waved when presenting a credit card.
Telegraph Travel Expert Annie Bennett, who flies frequently between the UK and Spain, says she has never seen the £97 rule applied and describes the reports as “tabloid hysteria”.
Sally Davies, Telegram‘s Barcelona expert says: “This is all nonsense. “Spain loves tourists and can’t help hosting them.”
Is the rule new for 2024?
No. This law officially came into force for British holidaymakers when the United Kingdom left the European Union on 1 January 2021. The daily amount then listed in the Spanish border control summary was €100 (£83.52 at the time).
Are British tourists the only people affected?
No. Proof of the technical characteristics of the funds is valid for non-Schengen area citizens. But Spanish passport officers also do not appear to be imposing this rule on holidaymakers from further afield. Ken Baldwin, manager and expert travel consultant at travel agency Totally Spain, said: Telegram: “This situation has not affected any of our customers, who are predominantly from the United States and Canada. [It has] “He never grew up with us.”
Is Spain the only European country to implement this rule?
No. The obligation for tourists to provide proof of funds applies not only to Spain but to all Schengen area countries. And the amount of cash varies between countries. For example, France has a similar rule requiring proof of a (possible) €120 per day; Belgium’s is 95 euros, Poland’s is 66 euros, Germany’s is 45 euros: the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has a rating for all countries. EU pages warn 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 possible friction at passport control, bring printed proof of your accommodation booking, your return flight details and an up-to-date credit card statement, along with the card itself or cash; But traveling with large amounts of cash comes with obvious risks. If you do not do the above, you can rest assured that there is currently no precedent for being turned away at passport control of Spain (or any EU country) for not having sufficient funds, and you can easily access the accommodation document and return flight details via your emails if necessary.