Spain's Tourist Board Looks To Calm Fears Over £85 Per Day Spending Money Rule
Spain News
Published: 04 August 2022 16:50 CET
Spanish authorities have issued a statement in an attempt to clear up reports that British tourists to Spain may have to prove how much money they have to spend while on their holidays.
The announcement followed concerns that holidaymakers visiting Spain could be forced to prove that they had at least £85 to spend per day per person with fears that those who could not provide sufficient evidence being denied entry.
In recent weeks, the UK’s Foreign Office had updated its travel advice website for Spain warning visitors that they may have to prove that they had at least €100 to spend in Spain per day, and a further minimum of €900, or its legal equivalent in foreign currency.
However, since the issue came to light, the Spanish Tourist Board has made a statement reassuring Brits that they would not have to divulge how much money they had to spend. They also clarified that the EU-wide policy which has been in place since January 1, did not only apply to UK tourists but to other non-EU citizens as well.
In the statement, Manuel Butler, the Spanish Tourist Office director (UK), said: “The requirement for UK travellers to be able to illustrate sufficient means for the duration of their stay and the return is established in the Schengen Borders Code and is not a Spain-specific requirement.
"This is not a new requirement and has been in place for some time for visitors from outside of the European Union or Schengen area. When entering Spain, these checks are not systematically carried out for every traveller.
"Likewise, travellers coming to the UK are also required to show that they have specific means to support themselves and any dependents for the duration of the trip and the ability to pay for the return or onward journey," he confirmed.
The UK Foreign Office has also clarified via its website that travellers may also be asked for additional documentation before entering the country such as proof of accommodation and a return/onward ticket.
Those staying with friends or relatives may also be asked to provide evidence in the form of a Carta de Invitacion.
UK visitors to Spain also have to adhere to Covid restrictions that are currently in force.
Under the current rules, anyone over the age of 12 will need to show proof that they have either been fully vaccinated, can provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure or proof of recovery from Covid.
Source
https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/europe/spain-tourist-board-sets-record-27640930
https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1649784/spain-holidays-minimum-spend-reports-latest-travel-news
