Proof of money you spend in spain

Don't believe all you read in UK newspapers

This again? You do realise the same rules apply to a foreigner visiting UK as well? You have to prove you have sufficient funds for your stay and 100 to 150 pounds is the recommended amount to have access to.

Have you ever known anyone to be asked for this proof when entering UK or the EU? I certainly haven't. The only time I was asked how much money I had on me was when entering the US but they just wanted to check I wasn't over the limit.

These stories get hashed out by some UK press on a regular basis and have been for the last 3 years at least. Just like they say you need a carta de invitacion to stay with friends or relatives and you don't. As long as you can show your return ticket there is no problem.

I should imagine a lone backpacker in torn jeans and T shirts could ring alarm bells and they may ask but, despite these rules being made years ago, I've never heard of anyone being stopped and taken to a cash machine to show they have access to funds. I've had many visitors both before and after the pandemic and not one of them has been stopped and asked for proof of anything.

You'll also find the UK press state "British tourists" and ignore the fact it could apply to anyone from a 3rd country.

As one Valencian Spanish official said "Why do the guiris always try to complicate things?"

My daughter in law was stopped and asked for proof of residence in Feb this year it was only because she had 2 children with her they allowed in her. She was visiting our apartment and were not aware of any rule changes. She was detained for 30mins while being grilled by passport control

I stand corrected, I've now heard of one. We had 3 sets of visitors last year and 2 the year before. One so far this year and one visiting next month. None have even been stopped by border guards nor asked for details of accommodation. 

It could, I suppose, depend on whether the Border Guard burnt his toast for breakfast that morning or lost out on the lottery by one number. The official guidance has been posted several times on here and it just gives these things as one of the items you may be asked for and the return air ticket is acceptable proof. I prefer to heed the advice by the UK Ambassador to Spain that reports he contacted officials in Spain and was assured these things were not required for British travellers staying less than 90 days in Spain and a valid credit cards is ample to prove income if asked.

It may have been more to do with her travelling with the children on her own. My daughter, who is soon getting married to the father of her son after 7 years (!) was stopped arriving back at Bournemouth because her surname is different to her son's. She just said it was because "He hadn't put a ring on it" The official laughed and let her through. Afterwards she carried a copy of her partner's passport with a signed letter from him confirming she was taking their son abroad with his permission but she has never been asked since!

The official guidance as issued by the Spanish and UK government's can be found by clicking on these links:

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/malabo/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Condiciones-de-entrada-en-Espana.aspx

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements

That the rules actually exist, and are neither new nor anything to do with Brexit, is not in dispute however from the first link above the repeated use of the words "At the request of the competent authorities" are perhaps the most salient.

They make the difference between theory and practice.

I don't think gail0554's DiL's experience is anything to do with what we are talking about.

This is a rule that aplies to Spaniards when travelling abroad with children. Most countries I believe question the right of anyone travelling with children with a different surname. or only one parent.

Cheers, J

I think that the operative word here is 'may' as opposed to 'will'.