There are new entry requirements for Britons traveling to Spain since Brexit.
British passport holders need to check whether their passport meets EU and Schengen Area validity rules, and may now be required to show proof of a return ticket.
Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know when visiting Spain and the Canary Islands, including why you probably shouldn’t worry about the “€109 per day rule” widely publicized last year.
There are also local laws that restrict the consumption of alcohol, smoking and wearing only a bikini or swimsuit in some tourist spots in Spain.
Before booking a holiday, always check the FCDO Foreign Travel Advice for your destination on gov.uk.
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What are Spain’s passport rules post-Brexit?
British passport holders should check whether their passport meets the EU and Schengen area requirements for “third-country nationals”, as Britons have been classified since Brexit.
You can do this by checking if your passport’s ‘issue date’ and ‘expiry date’ meet two requirements:
- Date of issue: must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of arrival
- Expiration date: must be valid for at least three months after the day of departure from Spain.
These passport rules also apply to the Canary Islands, as well as to all EU and Schengen countries except Ireland.
Some tourists from the UK have been refused boarding because their passport was issued more than 10 years ago. This is because the Passport Office used to add extra months if you renewed your old passport early, so your current passport could be valid for more than 10 years.
You will also have to renew your passport if you run out of blank pages because it will be stamped when entering and leaving Spain.
The Passport Office advises travelers to allow at least 10 weeks for their application to be processed, so check before you book your holiday.
The passport rules you need to know for Turkey, the US and Ireland.
Do I need a visa to travel to Spain?
You do not need a visa for short visits to Spain. British passport holders can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 of the 180 days. This way you can stay in Spain for up to 90 days, or visit several countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days.
You’ll need a visa waiver to visit Spain and the Canary Islands, as well as all Schengen zone countries from 2024. It’s expected to cost €7 (£6) and be valid for three years.
The EU Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) It was due to be released this year, but was postponed: the exact release date has not been announced.
The EU also plans to replace passport stamping with biometric checks in the Schengen zone and the Canary Islands next year.
What are the entry requirements to Spain for round-trip tickets and funds?
Now that the UK is not in the European Union, you may be asked to prove that you have a return ticket and pre-booked accommodation: a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address if you are visiting friends or staying. will be alone. property. Few travelers are questioned, but random checks are carried out.
This entry requirement applies to all Schengen countries and the Canary Islands. It was widely reported last year that you may also be asked to prove that you have sufficient financial means for the duration of the trip, but this is highly unlikely.
Spain defines “sufficient financial means” as access to 109 euros (93 GBP, or its equivalent in another currency) per person per day. For a family of five, this equates to 545 euros per day or 7,630 euros for a two-week holiday in Spain.
In the unlikely event that you are asked, you only need to demonstrate that you can access these funds; It is not necessary to spend that amount of money or present it all in cash on the spot. Funds may be in the form of cash, traveler’s checks, debit and credit cards, or a combination of these. Bank cards must be accompanied by a recent bank statement.
Last summer, the Home Office said Which? Travel that this rule does not apply to tourists and no one has been denied entry for not having enough money.
Local laws in Spain: bikini bans and alcohol limits
Spain has introduced local laws and restrictions on alcohol, smoking and wearing swimsuits in public in recent years. Make sure you know these rules to avoid being fined.
Drinking and smoking in public in Spain
Some local authorities in Spain, including Madrid, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, have banned drinking alcohol and smoking in public places, imposing on-the-spot fines for anyone who breaks the rules. These rules also apply to some beaches.
There is a limit on the amount of alcohol that can be purchased or consumed in an effort to crack down on anti-social behavior in several Balearic resorts: Magaluf and Palma in Mallorca, and parts of Ibiza. Tourists on all-inclusive deals are limited to six drinks per day, and two-for-one drinks, happy hours and pub crawls are prohibited.
Smoking is prohibited on most Spanish beaches, including all beaches in Barcelona. Those caught smoking where they shouldn’t could be fined £25.
Where do you need cover in Spain?
It is illegal to wear only a bikini or swimsuit on the street in Barcelona, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca. In some areas, it has also been prohibited to be bare-chested on the street. You could be fined up to €300 (around £250) for not following the rules.
This rule also applies to other public places, such as restaurants, shops and bars. Always cover up when you return from the beach or pool to be safe.
