Spain has said reports of British tourists being asked to demonstrate they have enough money to enter the popular holiday destination are a “hoax”. Ahead of the peak summer season stories have appeared saying travellers need to have at least £97 per day for the length of their trip with failure to do so resulting in border force officers turning people back.
A spokesperson for Spain’s Ministry of the Interior has told the Telegraph the rule has been misreported in the UK and that the controls are not systematic.
They added that no one has been denied entry to Spain for that reason. The spokesperson continued: “This is a hoax spread from time to time by the English media, lacking rigour and without any basis.”
The rule does exist and involves foreigners proving they have sufficient financial resources during their stay in Spain.
Since January 1 this year the minimum amount holidaymakers need to have is £96.80 (113.40 euros) per person per day.
This can be in the form of cash, traveller’s cheques, payment letters or credit cards along with a bank account statement or an up-to-date bank book.
Travellers might also be asked to show proof of where they are staying and a return or onward ticket.
Despite the rule, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior told the Telegraph no one has been denied entry to Spain for failing to show evidence they have the required amount of money.
The rule came into effect for Brits after Brexit on January 1, 2021. But it doesn’t only apply to British citizens.
It applies to any citizen of a country not within the Schengen Area of 29 European countries which have abolished controls at their mutual borders.
Amounts vary between countries, with France requiring proof of £102 (120 euros) per day, Belgium £81 (95 euros) and Poland £56 (66 euros), among others.
For anyone concerned about issues cropping up at passport control, take printed evidence of your accommodation booking, a recent credit card statement, your credit card or cash and details of your return ticket.
However, there appears to be no precedent for people being turned back at an EU country’s passport control for not having proof of those things.
