The Foreign Office continues to warn UK holidaymakers
Millions of Brits head to Spain each year(Image: majaiva via Getty Images)
Millions of holidaymakers head to Spain each year, with the country continuing to be a firm favourite among British travellers.
Before Brexit, UK visitors were able to enter Spain with relative ease. However, since Britain’s exit from the European Union, a whole host of new regulations have come into effect. For instance, your passport must display a ‘date of issue’ within 10 years of your arrival date, and if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may carry a date of issue exceeding 10 years, rendering it invalid for entry into the Schengen zone (which includes Spain).
Moreover, those travelling on a British passport are only permitted to visit the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period, as reported by the Express. As well as this, upon arriving in Spain, travellers will be required to scan their passport, have a photograph taken of their face, and scan four fingerprints, under the new Entry/Exit System (EES).
Once registered for travel under the EES, your digital EES record will remain valid for three years or until your passport expires, should that fall within the three-year window. According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), alongside a valid passport, UK visitors may also be asked to provide a return or onward ticket and/or proof of valid travel insurance at border control.
You may also need to demonstrate that you have adequate funds for your trip, together with proof of your accommodation arrangements. This might include a hotel booking or the address of a property in your name.
Alternatively, if you’re staying with friends, family or another party, an invitation letter may be sufficient, such as a ‘carta de invitation’ provided by your hosts.