New rules to enter Spain

Brits must prove they can spend at least £85 a day to enter Spain

Europe Correspondent By James Franey


27 Jul 2022


EUROPEAN countries have been slammed for asking British holidaymakers to show they have enough funds to cover the cost of their stay.



Updated regulations in Spain mean border guards could ask tourists to prove they have £85 per day each to spend to enter the country.



The rule, which has taken many by surprise, has been in force since the beginning of the year after the UK became a ‘third country’ outside the EU when it left after ******.



It means British nationals are now subject to the EU’s border red tape.



The ‘ border code’ for the Schengen area countries – those in the EU and other countries which have signed an agreement with the bloc – says nonEU nationals should prove they have the ‘sufficient financial means’ for their entire stay before entering.



Each country is free to fix its own rates if they notify the European Commission and they can also decide to what extent they enforce the rules, with no reports so far that Brits have been asked to show bank statements or count out their holiday money by officials.



The code, available on the UK Government website, also states that you must have a return or onward ticket before crossing an EU border and that your passport must have been issued less than ten years before the date you enter the country.



In France, travellers may be asked to show they have £100 a day per person to spend if they have no proof of pre- paid accommodation. That drops to £55 with proof of a hotel booking, according to a post on the EU executive’s website, or £27 if staying in a private home.



British passport holders can travel visa-free for up to 90 days over a 180-day period within the Schengen area. But their documents must also be stamped.



Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said the regulations, were a means of scolding Britain for its decision to leave the EU. ‘The Europeans appear to be cutting off their nose to spite their own face,’ he said. ‘I doubt the cafe owners in France and bar owners in Spain would be of the same opinion as their political leaders.’



The row comes after families had to endure hours of delays for ferries at Dover and the Eurotunnel at Folkestone over the weekend.



MPs blamed France for not putting enough border staff on duty, although the French pointed the finger at ******.



Francois Decoster, vice-president of the Hauts- de-France region, which includes Calais, even suggested the UK should reverse its decision to leave the EU, or consider joining the borderless Schengen area.



However, the EU is bringing in an electronic travel application form next May which could reduce these kinds of setbacks.



Similar to the United States’s ESTA, it will cost Britons just over £6 every three years.
 
We have been through the tunnel to France twice this year and were not asked for this on either occasion. We are off again later in August so we'll see if it's an issue then.

The article does say "could" be asked for this info rather than will be asked....
 
So why are the illegal immigrants still entering the uk? They must be very wealthy to have travelled through many European countries. Maybe we should declare at customs we are illegal immigrants and pass though customs without checks?
 
That is almost a year old .
Possibly better to check French (other countries available) government rules for entry by non-EU members .
It is last year but it is the current advice from what I can see. I am not intending leaving the U.K. for the foreseeable so was just querying. So much these days is media or Facebook hype it’s hard to find what’s right at times 👍

While we are a 3rd country that doesn’t necessarily mean that there haven’t been agreements made that should be in effect other 3rd country’s don’t get
 
All requirements on the gov.uk site. You may need to prove you have sufficient money for your stay which seems to have been set at the eighty odd a day. That doesn’t mean you have to spend that much. It’s a bit like having to show a return ticket and sufficient funds for America or Australia. That can ask you for proof if they wish to. We are now a third country and outside the EU. Just one of the benefits.

 
It is last year but it is the current advice from what I can see. I am not intending leaving the U.K. for the foreseeable so was just querying. So much these days is media or Facebook hype it’s hard to find what’s right at times 👍

While we are a 3rd country that doesn’t necessarily mean that there haven’t been agreements made that should be in effect other 3rd country’s don’t get
Totally agree re media etc
Have absolutely no confidence any details were agreed . Not being political but deal was rushed through so that it was seen to be 'done' .
Dog passport nonsense would appear to support this
 
It is last year but it is the current advice from what I can see. I am not intending leaving the U.K. for the foreseeable so was just querying. So much these days is media or Facebook hype it’s hard to find what’s right at times 👍

While we are a 3rd country that doesn’t necessarily mean that there haven’t
Afaik negotiations are happening right now, depending on outcome blue badges may or may not be reconised in future.
 
I may be getting confused but I seem to think many years ago when I went to Rhodes you had to go to the local town hall with your then Orange badge and they would issue a temporary badge that lasted for your holiday. I think I had to do the same in Jersey C.I. As well but may be mis remembering as often happens these days. If that is the case it’s not so bad but current Blue Badge is an EU badge.
 
You may need to prove you have sufficient money for your stay which seems to have been set at the eighty odd a day. That doesn’t mean you have to spend that much.

Exactly, as a couple we averaged about £50 a day last year, with fuel price rises it was around £60 a day this year, I'll probably budget for £75 a day for our next trip.

The EU (mainly the french) are just getting ar$ey because the government is ripping up the Irish border agreements and other things. That's why there's been chaos in Dover, expect more petty rules to be enforced over the coming months.
 
The EU (mainly the french) are just getting ar$ey because the government is ripping up the Irish border agreements and other things. That's why there's been chaos in Dover, expect more petty rules to be enforced over the coming months.

Maybe you don't know the entry requirements for the UK.

  1. (e) must have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to their visit without working or accessing public funds, including the cost of the return or onward journey, any costs relating to their dependants, and the cost of planned activities such as private medical treatment. The applicant must show that any funds they rely upon are held in a financial institution permitted under FIN 2.1 in Appendix Finance.
These are pretty much the same as going into EU, but they have come up with a monetary figure instead of vague statement.
 
Make sure you have data on your phone and/or copies of bank statements...unless you can't prove you have enough dosh.

Then I guess you are buggered!
 
Go and have a look at what EU citizens have to do before coming to the UK:

"You may also be asked to prove that:
  • you’re visiting for tourism
  • you’re able to support yourself and your dependents during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
  • you’ve arranged accommodation for your stay
  • you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else)
  • you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit"
Very similar. And UK Border Force will ask lots of questions - it isn't on-the-nod. So there you go, the Sunlit Uplands of Brexitland.
 
Go and have a look at what EU citizens have to do before coming to the UK:

"You may also be asked to prove that:
  • you’re visiting for tourism
  • you’re able to support yourself and your dependents during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
  • you’ve arranged accommodation for your stay
  • you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else)
  • you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit"
Very similar. And UK Border Force will ask lots of questions - it isn't on-the-nod. So there you go, the Sunlit Uplands of Brexitland.

All of which may now be enforced in a tit for tat response.

Seems pointless from both sides to me. I'm glad I do my travelling in the UK!
 
There is a simple solution of course. Rejoin the single market. :D I think a Tory MP suggested it a couple of weeks ago although I think he is now probably locked away in Cruella Patels dungeon. :ROFLMAO:

It has this thing called free movement of people. It means we can go for as long as we want to Europe and not put up with this nonsense. Might also help with the labour shortage and export slump. Just sayin. 😬
 
I'll wait until we see/hear of MH owners being asked for this information before I start worrying about it I think. It could end up as being one of those rules that is there if required but not observed in practice (a bit like the no meat, dairy rule).
 

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