Border checks at the airport.

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 4:42pm

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Greetings! Rumour has it that visitors entering Spain from third countries, such as the UK, need to show border personnel that they've got accommodation, sufficient funds for their stay and a return ticket. If not, then they'll be denied entry. As an apartment owner, would my Agencia Tributaria Non - Resident tax form as well as my UK bank debit and credit card, satisfy officials at the airport if I'm randomly questioned?

Many thanks.

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Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 5:48pm

Kenneth1

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Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 5:48pm

Don't listen to rumours. 😣

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 7:55pm

Cheryl

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Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 7:55pm

Very unlikely but maybe a copy of the deeds on your phone would settle any problems.
This is pretty standard at all border controls, even in the UK, but is only used if someone has raised suspicion in other ways. A return ticket is an obvious get out clause but there are so many second home owners here there would be articles on the front pages in the UK about holiday home owners being turned away.
The chances of being asked are miniscule.

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 2:37pm

Cypress142

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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 2:37pm

Cheryl wrote on Mon Apr 25, 2022 7:55pm:
Very unlikely but maybe a copy of the deeds on your phone would settle any problems.
This is pretty standard at all border controls, even in the UK, but is only used if someone has raised suspicion in other ways. A return ticket is an obvious get out clause but there are so many second h...

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...ome owners here there would be articles on the front pages in the UK about holiday home owners being turned away.
The chances of being asked are miniscule.

Thank you for your help. Having been on the gov.uk site it states that the following may need to be provided: proof of onward travel/return ticket; having sufficient funds during a stay and proof of address if visiting your own property. Shall be prepared if I'm randomly selected.

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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:44pm

Kimmy11

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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:44pm

Hi Cypress142,

This sounds like a recirculation of the "Carta de Invitación" rumour from last year. The Spanish Embassy has confirmed that UK citizens who own property in Spain do not have to provide an invitation letter for people using their property, but it is ONE of the things that Spanish border control could ask for; the others being a return travel ticket and/or proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the trip. However, this is only likely to be requested if border control has already flagged up concerns about an individual entering Spain.

Kind regards,

Kim

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 6:48pm

Cypress142

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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 6:48pm

Kimmy11 wrote on Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:44pm:
Hi Cypress142,
This sounds like a recirculation of the "Carta de Invitación" rumour from last year. The Spanish Embassy has confirmed that UK citizens who own property in Spain do not have to provide an invitation letter for people using their property, but it is ONE of the things that Spanish border con...

Read more...

...trol could ask for; the others being a return travel ticket and/or proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the trip. However, this is only likely to be requested if border control has already flagged up concerns about an individual entering Spain.
Kind regards,
Kim

Thanks, Kim. Very reassuring.

Best wishes,

Cypress 142.

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Posted: Sun May 1, 2022 9:11pm

GrahamWL

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Posted: Sun May 1, 2022 9:11pm

I returned to Spain yesterday (30 April) and can confirm that all was as usual and I saw no evidence of any such checks or interrogation as alluded to above. As a precaution, I had equipped myself with a few salient documents such as Banco Sabadell statement, property verification, NIE etc. but, as I suspected, this was surplus to requirements. The transit through the airport was very smooth and speedy with the electronic gates in use and no delays with regard to vaccination certificate carriers. My view is that Spain is as anxious to welcome UK visitors as ever and will usually interpret the regulations in a relatively minimalist way.