UK holidaymakers jetting off to Spain this summer are being urged to remember more than just their luggage and passports.
Post-Brexit, entry rules for Britons travelling to countries within the Schengen area have been altered. Visitors from outside the zone, including the UK, may face additional scrutiny at the airport.
Aside from passports, UK travellers are advised to carry two extra documents with them on the plane, ready to present at border control. This includes a valid return or onward ticket, such as a return flight confirmation.
Holidaymakers may also need to provide evidence of their accommodation arrangements, like a hotel booking receipt or an address if they’re staying at a second home or with friends or family. Tourists can present a printed copy of their booking or an email confirmation on their phone.
The UK Foreign Office issued a statement saying: “If you enter the Schengen area as a tourist, you may need to provide additional documents at the border.”
They further added: “As well as a valid return or onward ticket, when travelling to Spain you could be asked to show you have enough money for your stay; proof of accommodation for your stay, for example a hotel booking confirmation, proof of address if visiting your own property (such as second home) [or] an invitation or proof of address if staying with a third party, friends or family. A ‘carta de invitation’ completed by your hosts is one of the options available.”
On top of these two documents, tourists might also be asked to demonstrate they have sufficient funds for their stay.
When embarking on a Spanish getaway, you might need to prove you have enough money, and this can be done using cash, cheques or credit cards.
According to the Spanish Government’s website, the current minimum amount expected per person per day is 113.40 euros, roughly £97, as reported by Chronicle Live.
It’s also crucial to ensure that your passport is valid for travel. It should be valid for three months after you plan to leave the Schengen area and less than 10 years old when you enter.
If it’s too old or nearly expired, holidaymakers will need to renew it before they can travel.
