After learning that they could need to show they have the means to spend £85 per day in order to enter Spain following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, British tourists reacted angrily.
Spain has stated that new restrictions brought about by Brexit may demand British entrants to provide a variety of documents when entering the country. Proof of having enough cash is not the only new requirement, either.
Spanish border guards may ask travellers to show proof that they have a minimum of €900 (£766.94) available, can spend at least €100 per day, and that they have a reservation for lodging and an onward flight.
The Express claims that the funds could be in the form of credit cards, cash, payment letters, traveler’s checks, foreign currency, or traveler’s checks.
Tourists might not be allowed entry if they cannot demonstrate that they can support themselves financially.
The law, which surprised some Britons, has been in effect since the start of the year.
The UK is now considered a “third country,” which means that more checks are made because it is no longer a member of the European Union as a result of Brexit.
One Facebook user responded to the rules by writing, “Think Spanish resorts are going to be a bit empty.”
Another added, “£85 per day per person,” according to The Sun. What if you include everyone?
They continued, “This rule would stop me from wanting to go to Spain as I take my banking as personal and I won’t be showing my accounts to any foreigners.
Attempting to “restrict people coming for a holiday who don’t have a lot of money,” a third accuser claimed, was Spain.
When people take all-inclusive vacations, they don’t spend money in the neighbourhood, which hurts the local economy, they observed.
Twitter user joked, “If I could afford to spend £85 a day, I’d be going somewhere better than Spain,” in the meantime.
Others criticised Brexit directly. One person wittily commented, “Brexit truly is the present that keeps on giving.”
Another person remarked cynically, “More Brexit benefits?”
“I recall when Brexit supporters claimed that leaving the EU would have NO effect on anything. What a joke,” a furious Twitter user wrote.
A different Twitter user, though, decried Spain as being a “anti-Brexit EU country” and advised his followers to stay away from the continent altogether.
‘Great. Don’t visit Spain. I’m sick of these anti-Brexit EU nations dragging their feet on us,’ he declared.
Another user on Twitter noted that since the United Kingdom left the EU, travellers from all 27 member states now have to travel as citizens of a “third country.”
Due to the fact that not all British travellers to Spain are subject to screening, the new regulations seem to have taken many frequent travellers by surprise.
All travellers entering Spain must comply with the regulations, however border guards are not compelled to inspect every traveller.
The guidelines were stated in a statement by the UK Foreign Office.
“At Spanish border control, you may need to show a return or onward ticket; prove you have enough money for your stay; and show proof of accommodation for your stay, such as a hotel booking confirmation, proof of address if visiting your own property (e.g., second home), or an invitation from your host or proof of their address if staying with a third party, friends, or family,” according to its guidance.
It continues, “The Spanish government has highlighted that one of the methods available to verify that you have lodging if living with friends or family is the “carta de invitación.”
The Spanish Ministry of Interior stated: “Foreigners from third countries must prove, if requested to do so by the officials responsible for regulating entry of people into Spanish territory, that they have economic resources for entering the country, through cash, traveler’s checks, payment letters, or credit cards, which must also be proved to have sufficient funds available on them.”
On the website of the Spanish ministry, the regulations are listed.
The website states, “As of January 1, 2022, the minimum amount to be credited is 100 euros per person per day, with a minimum of 900 euros or its legal equivalent in foreign currency.”
Arrivals must “reach an amount that represents in euros 10% of the minimum gross interprofessional salary or its legal equivalent in foreign currency multiplied by the number of days they intend to stay in Spain and by the number of people travelling at your expense,” according to the document’s justification.
The document continues, “In the event that, during entry control of persons in Spanish territory, it is established that a foreigner lacks sufficient financial means for the period of time he wishes to remain in Spain and to continue his journey to the country of destination or to return to the country of origin, or does not possess the nominative, non-transferable, and closed ticket or tickets, in the means of transport that they intend to use, their entry into Spanish territory will be prohibited.”
Since the United Kingdom left the EU, travellers must now get their passports stamped at border gates in order to enter and exit.
“Border guards will use passport stamps to confirm you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free restriction for short visits in the Schengen area,” according to UK Foreign Office guidelines.
Border agents will assume that you have exceeded your visa-free period if the appropriate entrance or exit stamps are missing from your passport.
People requesting Schengen visas from Spain must also meet the same €100 daily threshold.
Each EU and Schengen nation has a different minimum daily income requirement for those applying for a Schengen visa.
For instance, in Belgium, those applying for a Schengen visa must demonstrate that they have at least €45 in cash if they are living in less expensive housing and €95 if they are staying in a hotel.
If a visitor arrives in France without proof of pre-paid lodging, the required minimum daily amount is €120.
This fee decreases to €65 per day if the lodging has been paid in advance.