Over 19 million UK visitors travelled to Spain last year, and similar numbers are expected this year. However, recent changes to travel rules mean Brits need to be aware of new requirements before heading to the airport.
New passport rules for Spain
When travelling to Spain, it is not just the expiry date on your passport that matters. There are two key dates in your travel document that determine if you are allowed to board your flight.
The first is the issue date: your passport must have been issued within 10 years of your departure date, or it will not be deemed valid. The second is the expiry date, but a valid passport for your travel dates is not enough. Under the new rules, your passport must be valid for at least three months from the day you leave Spain. If it does not meet this criteria, your document will be deemed invalid and you are likely to be denied boarding.
New Entry/Exit System (EES)
The Foreign Office updated its travel advice for 30 countries this week due to the new Entry/Exit System (EES) affecting Schengen Area countries, including Spain. UK passport holders will be asked to provide biometric data, which involves providing fingerprints and having a photo taken at the Spanish border.
Children aged 11 or under might not be asked to provide fingerprints, but will likely still need to be photographed. You do not need to do anything before heading to the airport; you will simply provide this biometric data on arrival. However, the EES has been causing delays at several major airports, so you may want to prepare for longer queues at border control.
Extra documents needed for Spain
In its Spain travel advice, the Foreign Office has warned Brits that they may be asked to show extra documentation when arriving. This could include proof of a return flight ticket, proof of travel insurance, or being able to show that you have enough money for your stay (the amount can differ depending on your accommodation).
Other documents could be a hotel booking confirmation, or proof of address if you are staying in your own holiday home. If you are visiting friends or family, make sure they have completed a ‘carta de invitation’, as you may be asked to show evidence of this or proof of their address. More information is available on gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain.
