New regulations regarding visitors

Qman wrote on Wed Apr 10, 2024 12:53pm:

Has anyone any experience with new requirements for visitors?

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https://www.travelinsuranceexplained.co.uk/news/not-knowing-these-rules-could-leave-you-stranded-or-facing-hefty-fines-in-spain/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Government%20Travel,friends%20or%20a%20third%20party
The requirements seem quite draconian I wonder if people have gone through the process as my Daughter and Grand daughter are visiting in August.  In fact as they are blood family would they need the document?   I had to give her a letter stating she was staying with me something linked to Covid but that was only once.  To help anyone replying I dont have residence I own an appartment and visit for holidays. 

Qman wrote on Wed Apr 10, 2024 12:53pm:

Has anyone any experience with new requirements for visitors?

Read more...

https://www.travelinsuranceexplained.co.uk/news/not-knowing-these-rules-could-leave-you-stranded-or-facing-hefty-fines-in-spain/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Government%20Travel,friends%20or%20a%20third%20party
The requirements seem quite draconian I wonder if people have gone through the process as my Daughter and Grand daughter are visiting in August.  In fact as they are blood family would they need the document?   I had to give her a letter stating she was staying with me something linked to Covid but that was only once.  To help anyone replying I dont have residence I own an appartment and visit for holidays. 

DarioMartin wrote on Wed Apr 10, 2024 8:48pm:

These are not new requirements at all - but  they apply only to those who have to apply for a Schengen Visa.  UK passport holders are exempt Schengen visa and the Carta de Invitación does not apply to them - irrespective of what the article above says …

cwalker117 wrote on Thu Apr 11, 2024 5:38pm:

Hi Dario

I have read a number of articles in the Uk press regarding this. At no time did it indicate that UK passport holders were exempt, in fact it was totally to the contrary. Please can you advise on where i can find this?

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I know that there proposals for UK passport holders to have to apply for a Shengen visa, which as far as i aware got delayed.. (I think it was originally proposed to be introduced from Nov 23)

Regards

Colin

DarioMartin wrote on Thu Apr 11, 2024 8:19pm:

If you check on Spanish Ministry of the Exterior Website, it’s quite clear that these requirements are for non-Schengen Visa exempt passport holders.

ETIAS - the system you are referring to as coming online is wholly different to a Schengen Visa.  EVERYONE who is not an EU resident or passport holder will have to make application on ETIAS - it electronic border control basically.  It will cost £7 and be valid for up to 3 years....

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Non-Schengen visa exempt passport holders will still have to apply for a Schengen Visa, which includes proof of income for stay and a Carta de Invitación if not staying at a hotel.

The British press either purposely or through misunderstanding mis-reported the application of these rather long-standing requirements (they’ve been around at least 10 years, probably longer), possibly because it was yet another farcical Anti-EU Beat-Up or because the person writing the story didn’t understand and the editor didn’t check

Qman wrote on Thu Apr 11, 2024 9:01pm:

Brilliant and informative thank you. I am somewhat ashamed to say that even though I have an apartment in Spain my Spanish is very poor.   Your initial post was fairly reassuring because there is usually something behind articles similar to the one I found and you gave the explanation.&...

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...nbsp; I can also understand why the new ETIAS proposals confuse the situation.  I will see if google can translate the Spanish Ministry of the Exterior Website.  However I am sure you are right and thank you very very much for your help.

Terryarmstrong wrote on Wed Apr 17, 2024 11:19am:

Hi

I too am totally confused regarding the new regulations and my main worry is that the border police will be confused also

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I am in the same situation as you being I am a Spanish non resident but own a villa in Spain and have friends visiting in Spain from the UK in May

Some newspapers have reported that a visitor has to prove their address whilst in Spain, have a return ticket and prove they have a minimum of €89 (I think) per day as financial support

I always try as much as possible to avoid any confrontation at the border Although I know I am within my rights the border police can always be difficult and cause you hassle if they want to, although I have never experienced any problems myself. When I travel to Spain I always carry my NIE and padron and Spanish bank account details to prove my credentials 

Regarding my friends visiting I have simply given them a letter of invitation to visit me. The letter contains my Spanish address and I have also stated that I will be responsible for them financially during their stay. I also included my telephone number so that the Spanish authorities can call me for confirmation if they so wish 

I know this is belt and braces but it could save a lot of time and hassle in

Hope this helps 

DarioMartin wrote on Wed Apr 17, 2024 12:06pm:

Without wishing to demean your efforts, your "letter of invitation" means nothing and carries no weight whatsoever.  a "Carta de Invitación" has to be applied for from National Police and costs in the region of 70€ per person and would take around three months to be issued.  

If you needed it....

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which you don't.

The papers are doing a normal anti-EU beat-up, or have latched on to something that they think will sell papers and so without checking facts, they are splurging this nonsense and worrying people.

For clarification, the requirements you have outlined apply ONLY to those people who would need to apply for a Schengen Visa to enter Spain.  British Passport holders are Schengen Visa EXEMPT.  These requirements do NOT apply to holders of British Passports.

Please do not go perpetuating this - it is an absolute nonsense and seems to be fit for the purpose only of worrying people unnecessarily

SonderB wrote on Wed Apr 17, 2024 1:20pm:

ETIAS Entry Authorization. Beginning in May 2025, nationals from countries with a visa-liberalization agreement with the EU will need to obtain an ETIAS authorization before travelling to the EU.