Do you really need £97 per day to enter Spain?

The Spanish government has accused the English media of spreading “a hoax” about British tourists needing proof of funds to enter the country. Recent weeks have seen fresh reports claiming that arrivals from the UK must show proof of funds amounting to £97 per day for the duration of their Spanish holiday, or risk being denied entry.

The rule has been described by some news outlets as “controversial” and British tourists have supposedly threatened to “boycott” Spain as a result.

However, a spokesperson for the Spanish Ministry of the Interior has told The Telegraph that the £97 rule has been mis-reported in the UK.

“These are not systematic controls for tourists and no entry denial has occurred for this reason,” the representative said. “This is a hoax spread from time to time by the English media, lacking rigour and without any basis.”

While the rule does exist in the fine print of the Schengen Borders Code, it is important to be aware of the wider context. Namely: it is not a new rule, it does not affect UK visitors only, and there is currently no instance of it having caused problems for British tourists. Here, however, we unpack the facts.

DOES THE RULE EXIST?

Yes. Technically, third-nation (non-EU) citizens entering Spain could be asked to show that they have the funds to sustain their stay in the country. If asked, visitors might have to show that they have a minimum of €113.40 (£96.80) per day for the duration of their trip. This proof could be in the form of cash, traveller’s cheques, or a credit card. You might also be asked for proof of accommodation and a return or onward ticket.

HAS ANYONE BEEN DENIED ENTRY? The Spanish Ministry of the Interior confirmed that no British tourist has been denied entry to Spain after failing to provide evidence of funds.

IS THE RULE NEW TO 2024?

No. It officially came into effect for British holidaymakers when the UK left the European Union on January 1 2022.

ARE BRITISH TOURISTS THE ONLY PEOPLE AFFECTED?

No. The “proof of funds” rule applies to any non-Schengen area citizen. But Spanish passport officers do not seem to be enforcing it on holidaymakers from further afield, either.

IS SPAIN THE ONLY EUROPEAN COUNTRY WITH THIS RULE?

No. The requirement for tourists to provide evidence of funds applies to all Schengen area countries, not just Spain.

The amount varies between countries: France has a similar rule requiring (possible) proof of €120 per day, Belgium’s requirement is €95, Poland’s €66 and Germany’s €45. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warns of this on all its EU pages.

DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE MY HOLIDAY? If you want to avoid any possible friction at passport control, bring printed evidence of your accommodation booking, your return flight details, plus a recent credit card statement along with the card itself – or cash.

If you do not do the above, rest assured there is currently no precedent for anyone being turned around at Spanish passport control (or that of any EU nation) for not having sufficient funds. Proof of accommodation and return flight details should be easily accessed from your emails, if required.

i Heading to Seville? Bring proof of your accommodation, return flight and credit card balance – though it is unlikely to be needed