UK holidaymakers have been up in arms over a certain travel rule they must follow when visiting Spain.
Dubbed the “£97 a day rule”, entry requirements do stipulate that British nationals should be able to produce proof of funds upon entering the country.
Recently, UK residents have sworn to boycott the country for their holidays, vowing they will “never visit Spain again”. Many believe the move is an attempt to squeeze more revenue from its already booming tourism industry, but there is some confusion surrounding these guidelines.
The popular destination has recently been vocal over its concerns regarding tourism, with locals recently demanding that tourists “go home”, clearly highlighting tensions between residents and visitors. Meanwhile, Spanish officials have called for the ban of purchasing second homes for getaways.
However, it is important to know that Spain’s financial proof rule is not new, nor does it apply to only UK holidaymakers – and it’s not just a requirement for visiting Spain. It also does not mean that anyone who does visit must spend a certain amount of money, but they do need to present proof that they can financially sustain themselves.
Here’s what you should know about Spain’s £97 a day rule, including how to show proof of funds and whether it puts your next holiday at risk of being axed.
What is Spain’s £97 a day rule?
All non-EU nationals – not just UK residents – must be able to produce proof of funds upon arrival at Spanish borders.
The Spanish Government website states: “At the request of the competent authorities, the traveller must present proof of having sufficient financial means for the proposed stay, or of the ability to legally obtain such means.”
According to authorities, this should equal €113.40 per day (around £97), with a minimum of €972 (around £830). This amount has risen since guidelines previously set out an £85 spend per day figure in 2022, when the rule came into force after Brexit.
It’s important to note that visitors are not required to spend £97 everyday, but only need to show they have sufficient means to do so. This rule does not just apply to Spain, but to all 27 countries within the EU Schengen zone, each of which set out their own spending limits.
As third party nationals, UK residents may be asked to present other requirements to Spanish border officials, which include:
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Proof of accommodation
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Proof of return ticket
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Purpose of entry
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Length of stay – a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period – those planning to stay longer than this amount must apply for a Schengen visa
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A letter of approval if staying with friends – known as a carta de Invitacion
How can I demonstrate adequate proof of funds when travelling to Spain?
According to the Spanish Government, proof of funds can be demonstrated by presenting:
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cash
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traveller’s cheques,
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a credit card accompanied by a bank account statement
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an up-to-date bank book
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any other resource that accredits the amount available, such as a credit statement regarding the card or bank account
Bank letters or online bank statements will not be accepted.
Have UK holidaymakers been prevented from entering Spain for not having enough money?
So far, there has been no evidence to suggest that Britons are getting turned away from Spanish borders for not being able to prove that they have £97 to spend every day, according to Spanish publication The Locale.
But this is not to say that you will automatically be granted entrance to Spain if you don’t have the correct proof of funds, so it’s always best to follow guidelines to avoid disappointment.
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