proof of somewhere to stay

squizz11

I am going to spain next week to see my brother I have proof of return flight and can show my online banking for proof of money but I only have an address of where I'm staying,  will that be enough?

Sandtree

squizz11 said:
 but I only have an address of where I'm staying,  will that be enough?

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements

Above is the FCO's advice, it says you need proof of an invite to be staying with friends, family etc and the advice (in Spanish) of what the invitation has to be is on https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/es/servicios-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-gestiones/extranjeria/regimen-general/carta-de-invitacion/ 

onashoestring

If you are staying with you brother  - he can write an e-mail inviting you to stay - including his address and  a photo of his passport or ID card / residency permit etc… ( proof that he is a legal resident in Spain ) include his phone number so that they can check any details if necessary.

This may not be checked by immigration but to prevent any delay at border control it’s best to have it all to hand in case you are asked for it .

zagfles

Is this a new thing peculiar to Spain? Has anyone here actually been asked to provide proof of accomodation at the border? I'd imagine it's highly unlikely unless you arouse their suspicions for any reason. Or you have an exotic passport.

squizz11

zagfles said:

Is this a new thing peculiar to Spain? Has anyone here actually been asked to provide proof of accomodation at the border? I'd imagine it's highly unlikely unless you arouse their suspicions for any reason. Or you have an exotic passport.

it says may need to show , so I want to be prepared

NoodleDoodleMan

zagfles said:

Is this a new thing peculiar to Spain? Has anyone here actually been asked to provide proof of accomodation at the border? I'd imagine it's highly unlikely unless you arouse their suspicions for any reason. Or you have an exotic passport.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/uk-news/brits-flying-spain-now-need-24522717

zagfles

NoodleDoodleMan said:

zagfles said:

Is this a new thing peculiar to Spain? Has anyone here actually been asked to provide proof of accomodation at the border? I'd imagine it's highly unlikely unless you arouse their suspicions for any reason. Or you have an exotic passport.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/uk-news/brits-flying-spain-now-need-24522717

That doesn't answer the question, it just repeats the FCO advice, no real life stories of people being turned away because they don't have proof. Theoretically you might be required to prove you haven't got drugs in your anal cavity but the likelyhood of them checking is pretty low unless there is some reason to suspect you

I've entered countless countries with no accomodation even booked, the only time it caused a slight issue was entering the US when we were questioned about why we hadn't put an address on the landing card, I explained we were on a road trip and will be hiring a car and stopping at motels, we had no idea where we'd be staying that night, we had a rough direction of travel, that was it. He was satisfied with that and let us though.

Is Spain really going to refuse entry to people on road trips? I suspect this is more "something they could theoretically use to stop you entering", but unless you actually hear stories of people being refused entry (without some other more major reason) I personally wouldn't worry too much about it. But maybe I'm wrong and Spain really is trying to kill spontaneous road trip type travel.

JGB1955

AIUI this only applies if you want to use the automated border control e-Gates. Otherwise you can use  the non-EU line to have your passports stamped at border control.

NoodleDoodleMan

"That doesn't answer the question, it just repeats the FCO advice, no real life stories of people being turned away because they don't have proof."

That was in response to your "is this a new thing peculiar to Spain" - clearly misinterpreted by me.

These rules will apply regardless of mode of transport to reach point of entry.

I  don't see how using the non EU line at border control, rather than the electronic gates, will remove the need proof of somewhere to stay.

twopenny

I used to have accommodation checked at the borders to may countries I visited including if I was staying with friends. It used to be a thing.

I'd guess there may be a difference in Spain (if it's new) because we are no longer in the Union?

zagfles

NoodleDoodleMan said:

"That doesn't answer the question, it just repeats the FCO advice, no real life stories of people being turned away because they don't have proof."

That was in response to your "is this a new thing peculiar to Spain" - clearly misinterpreted by me.

These rules will apply regardless of mode of transport to reach point of entry.

I  don't see how using the non EU line at border control, rather than the electronic gates, will remove the need proof of somewhere to stay.

How do they check if you drive across from France?

Looking at the French rules they're more sensible in that you just need to prove a higher level of funds if you don't have pre-booked accomodation https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements