proof of somewhere to stay

zagfles

twopenny said:

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?

Which countries and when?

I've entered virtually every Western European country in the 80's (before Schengen, where they checked passports at the borders between EU countries) but never been asked for proof of accomodation, usually didn't have any booked. Mostly on interrail trips. I've entered the US, Aus, NZ, SE Asian countries & Eastern European countries  several times in the 90's onwards without any accomodation booked. Never had a problem.

eDicky

Likewise, during a lifetime of worldwide travel I've never been asked to prove where I will stay, very rarely had anywhere booked, and if required to state my accommodation address on a landing card I would enter a hotel where I have no intention of staying. If I were to enter Spain tomorrow I would have zero expectation of being asked for proof of accommodation.

NoodleDoodleMan

zagfles said:

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

Spain is asking for proof of three things, one of which is evidence of accommodation.

Why would it make any difference if the traveller arrived at the border by vehicle from France - or Portugal - or by ferry ?

The onus would be on the traveller to provide such proof.

In reality I doubt such documentation will be demanded - but it's better to have it and not need it, rather than vice versa.

eDicky

NoodleDoodleMan said:

zagfles said:

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

Spain is asking for proof of three things, one of which is evidence of accommodation.

Why would it make any difference if the traveller arrived at the border by vehicle from France - or Portugal

There being effectively no border by road, there can be no check for any such requirements.

zagfles

NoodleDoodleMan said:

zagfles said:

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

Spain is asking for proof of three things, one of which is evidence of accommodation.

Why would it make any difference if the traveller arrived at the border by vehicle from France - or Portugal - or by ferry ?

The onus would be on the traveller to provide such proof.

In reality I doubt such documentation will be demanded - but it's better to have it and not need it, rather than vice versa.

Google "schengen"

CKhalvashi

eDicky said:

Likewise, during a lifetime of worldwide travel I've never been asked to prove where I will stay, very rarely had anywhere booked, and if required to state my accommodation address on a landing card I would enter a hotel where I have no intention of staying. If I were to enter Spain tomorrow I would have zero expectation of being asked for proof of accommodation.

I've always had somewhere booked but not necessarily been asked to provide evidence of it (many times it's been somewhere rented from a friend of a friend). I've also never been asked for proof of funds or (with the exception of Belarus where it is strictly enforced or a Ukrainian Covid policy) proof of insurance.

I do, however, always have a copy of the 2nd or 3rd, and in the case of the first always have either the Booking app or someone on the phone who can be contacted to verify.

You will have someone who can presumably can be contacted to verify if required, so apart from having an e-mail if you want to be safe, don't worry, everything will be fine.

NoodleDoodleMan said:

zagfles said:

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

Spain is asking for proof of three things, one of which is evidence of accommodation.

Why would it make any difference if the traveller arrived at the border by vehicle from France - or Portugal - or by ferry ?

The onus would be on the traveller to provide such proof.

In reality I doubt such documentation will be demanded - but it's better to have it and not need it, rather than vice versa.

There are no routine border checks between France or Portugal and Spain, although are occasionally spot checks (I was however stopped several years ago on the Austria-Hungary border for a quick check, probably because I had a UK-registered car and there is generally a small presence at border points, at least on main roads).

NoodleDoodleMan

If there are no routine cross border checks the issue becomes academic.

zagfles

CKhalvashi said:

eDicky said:

Likewise, during a lifetime of worldwide travel I've never been asked to prove where I will stay, very rarely had anywhere booked, and if required to state my accommodation address on a landing card I would enter a hotel where I have no intention of staying. If I were to enter Spain tomorrow I would have zero expectation of being asked for proof of accommodation.

I've always had somewhere booked but not necessarily been asked to provide evidence of it (many times it's been somewhere rented from a friend of a friend). I've also never been asked for proof of funds or (with the exception of Belarus where it is strictly enforced or a Ukrainian Covid policy) proof of insurance.

I do, however, always have a copy of the 2nd or 3rd, and in the case of the first always have either the Booking app or someone on the phone who can be contacted to verify.

You will have someone who can presumably can be contacted to verify if required, so apart from having an e-mail if you want to be safe, don't worry, everything will be fine.

I think the "proof of funds" things is a fairly common theoretical requirement that a lot of countries have, I was always aware of it, back in the days when people used travellers cheques it was quite easy to prove, these days I guess it would be logging onto to your credit card app and showing them your available credit, or bank account balance. But like you I've never ever been asked to prove it.

Most countries don't require proof of travel insurance, it's generally not compulsory, but there are a few exceptions.

There are no routine border checks between France or Portugal and Spain, although are occasionally spot checks (I was however stopped several years ago on the Austria-Hungary border for a quick check, probably because I had a UK-registered car and there is generally a small presence at border points, at least on main roads).

Was that before or after Hungary joined Schengen (2007)? I've crossed internal Schengen borders loads of times by car and never been stopped, or even noticed any manned border presence (occasionally legacy buildings remain). Except on the Swiss border where they have customs posts, since Switzerland is in Schengen but not the EU customs union. But never been stopped. Although at the major motorway entry points the Swiss authorities do check you have bought the Swiss vingette (motorway tax).

I guess it's similar on the Sweden/Norway border for the same reason, although I've never crossed that by car.

There was something in recent years where border checks were being done on the internal borders due to the refugee crisis, but don't think that applies any more.

But if it was the police who stopped you, that could probably happen anywhere for any reason.

CKhalvashi

zagfles said:

CKhalvashi said:

eDicky said:

Likewise, during a lifetime of worldwide travel I've never been asked to prove where I will stay, very rarely had anywhere booked, and if required to state my accommodation address on a landing card I would enter a hotel where I have no intention of staying. If I were to enter Spain tomorrow I would have zero expectation of being asked for proof of accommodation

There are no routine border checks between France or Portugal and Spain, although are occasionally spot checks (I was however stopped several years ago on the Austria-Hungary border for a quick check, probably because I had a UK-registered car and there is generally a small presence at border points, at least on main roads).

Was that before or after Hungary joined Schengen (2007)? I've crossed internal Schengen borders loads of times by car and never been stopped, or even noticed any manned border presence (occasionally legacy buildings remain). Except on the Swiss border where they have customs posts, since Switzerland is in Schengen but not the EU customs union. But never been stopped. Although at the major motorway entry points the Swiss authorities do check you have bought the Swiss vingette (motorway tax).

I guess it's similar on the Sweden/Norway border for the same reason, although I've never crossed that by car.

There was something in recent years where border checks were being done on the internal borders due to the refugee crisis, but don't think that applies any more.

But if it was the police who stopped you, that could probably happen anywhere for any reason.

After, I remember it was in a '61' plate car as it's the only time I've ever been stopped on a Schengen border and the car was then only a few weeks old. I first visited Romania in 2009 and it was on the way there.

It was Customs, no immigration checks. It's common for a small presence (normally of a single car from each side) on borders, but nothing else.

Completely agree with the top part, as you say it's more an 'if' the officer requires than 'when' in most cases. If you do something to arouse suspicion of immigration, you're more likely to be asked for more information.

Doshwaster

zagfles said:

CKhalvashi said:

eDicky said:

Likewise, during a lifetime of worldwide travel I've never been asked to prove where I will stay, very rarely had anywhere booked, and if required to state my accommodation address on a landing card I would enter a hotel where I have no intention of staying. If I were to enter Spain tomorrow I would have zero expectation of being asked for proof of accommodation.

I've always had somewhere booked but not necessarily been asked to provide evidence of it (many times it's been somewhere rented from a friend of a friend). I've also never been asked for proof of funds or (with the exception of Belarus where it is strictly enforced or a Ukrainian Covid policy) proof of insurance.

I do, however, always have a copy of the 2nd or 3rd, and in the case of the first always have either the Booking app or someone on the phone who can be contacted to verify.

You will have someone who can presumably can be contacted to verify if required, so apart from having an e-mail if you want to be safe, don't worry, everything will be fine.

I think the "proof of funds" things is a fairly common theoretical requirement that a lot of countries have, I was always aware of it, back in the days when people used travellers cheques it was quite easy to prove, these days I guess it would be logging onto to your credit card app and showing them your available credit, or bank account balance. But like you I've never ever been asked to prove it.

Most countries don't require proof of travel insurance, it's generally not compulsory, but there are a few exceptions.

"Proof of Funds" is also a requirement that the UK has. You see it regularly on those airport documentaries. The chances of getting stopped are low but you would need to show proof of funds accommodation and onward travel if asked by an immigration officer otherwise you'd be denied entry.  Someone arriving from Türkiye, India or Nigeria with only 20 quid in their pocket and no accommodation booked would be sent back. 

In reality, for most people, the chances of getting stopped are very low. In around 50 visits to the USA, I've only been asked once. I just flashed a wallet with several credit cards and was waved through.