Since Brexit, British visitors to Spain are treated as third-country nationals, which means border officers can ask for more than a passport. Here is what UK travellers should be ready to show.
Documents you may be asked for
- a return or onward ticket;
- proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking or property deeds;
- if staying with friends or family, an invitation letter or proof of their address;
- travel insurance;
- proof that you have enough money for your stay.
Not every traveller will be asked, but those who cannot provide the documents risk being refused entry.
Passport rules
For entry to Spain and the rest of the Schengen area, a British passport must:
- have been issued less than 10 years before the date you arrive;
- be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave.
Passports renewed early before October 2018 may have had extra months added that do not count, so check the issue date carefully.
The 90-day rule
British citizens can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, for tourism, family visits, business meetings or short courses. Longer stays, or work, require a visa or permit.
Residents in Spain
British people who live in Spain should carry their TIE residence card together with their passport, so that their passport is not stamped and their days are not counted as a tourist stay.
The Entry/Exit System
The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps with digital records:
- on your first entry, you may need to give fingerprints and a photograph at a kiosk or border desk;
- children aged 11 or under are only photographed;
- the process is free, but it can add time at the border, so allow extra time, especially at busy airports and ports.
Dual nationals
British dual nationals should check which passport to use. To return to the UK, they need a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement.
Before you travel
- Check your passport’s issue and expiry dates and renew if needed.
- Keep copies of your tickets, accommodation and insurance, on paper or on your phone.
- Check the official UK government travel advice for Spain before departure.
