BRITS heading to Spain need to be aware of a new rule update that could get them banned from entering the country.
Currently, Brits visiting Spain need to show they have a certain amount of money in their bank at the border.
However, an upgrade to this rule means all travellers from non-EU countries must be able to prove they now have at least €1,098.90 (£948.12).
For longer trips, the figure will rise in line with how many days you are in the country for, working out to around an extra €121.10 (£104.48) per day.
For example, if you intend to stay in Spain for 10 days, you will need to prove you have €1,220 (£1,052.79) in funds.
Brits can prove they have the money in several ways including having the cash, presenting debit or credit cards accompanied by bank statements, showing cheques or providing a letter of credit.
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However, it is worth noting that screenshots of online bank statements are not accepted.
The money must be shown in euros or the equivalent amount in your own currency, so for Brits, this would be in pounds.
Despite the requirement not being new, the amount tourists need to prove has been updated to be in line with 10 per cent of Spain’s minimum wage, which recently increased.
The rule was first introduced in 2021, at the end of the Brexit transition period.
Brexit meant that Brits became “third-country nationals” and therefore have to follow the rules for entering the EU when travelling to European countries.
Similar proof-of-funds requirements are in place across all Schengen countries.
The amounts do vary though – for example, in France, travellers must be able to prove they have €65 (£56.08) per day, yet in Latvia, the figure drops to €14 (£12.08) per day.
Even though proof-of-funds can be enforced by border officers in Spain, checks are not usually carried out on every traveller entering the country.
But if a border force officer asks you to prove your funds and you do not have the amount needed, then they can refuse you entry into Spain.
Advice from the UK Foreign Office states: “Make sure that you have access to enough money to cover all of your costs when travelling abroad, including unforeseen costs, e.g. medical care.
“To avoid getting into financial difficulties abroad, you should take prepaid travel cards, traveller’s cheques, local currency, credit and bank cards with you.
“Check what you can use in the country you are visiting and ensure you have enough money.
“Make a note of how to stop any credit cards or traveller’s cheques being used if lost or stolen, and of traveller’s cheque numbers.
“[And] get comprehensive travel insurance, ensure it provides you with adequate financial cover for your personal needs, and check for any exclusions.
“If you don’t have adequate travel insurance, you will need to pay any costs you are charged.”