British tourists are considering boycotting Spain due to a recently introduced rule requiring visitors to demonstrate a certain level of financial support, potentially adding thousands of pounds to the cost of a family holiday.
Since the UK departed from the European Union, several new regulations have impacted British travellers heading to Spain. As the UK is now designated a ‘third country’, visitors must prove they have sufficient funds to cover their stay.
Specifically, holidaymakers must demonstrate they have £98 per person per day for the duration of their trip. For example, a family of four planning a week-long holiday would need to show they have at least £2,740 to cover their expenses.
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Advice from the UK Foreign Office confirms: “If you enter the Schengen area as a tourist, you may need to provide additional documents at the border.
“As well as a valid return or onward ticket, when travelling to Spain you could be asked to show you have enough money for your stay.”
The chances of being questioned about your funds is thought to be extremely low due to busy Spanish airports in peak seasons wanting to avoid congestion in the border control line.
This comes as popular holiday destinations across Spain fight against over-tourism, with tens of thousands in the Canary Islands taking to the streets last weekend to protest the “unsustainable” numbers of visitors.
Activists have said that their home towns “have a limit” and that the huge amounts of tourists that descend in the summer are pushing locals out and have forced them to rely on seasonal work.
As a frequent traveler, I find Spain’s new £97 rule quite concerning. It adds unnecessary stress and financial burden on tourists. I believe it might deter many families from choosing Spain as their holiday destination. The additional regulations post-Brexit are certainly making travel plans more complicated and expensive. I hope the authorities reconsider this policy to maintain Spain’s appeal as a welcoming tourist destination.
As a regular traveler to Spain, this new financial requirement definitely puts me off visiting. It adds an unnecessary burden, especially for families like mine. I understand the need for regulations, but it’s disappointing how this could impact tourism negatively.