We got a lot of comments and questions recently regarding the requirement to prove you have a minimum of 100 Euros per day in order to be allowed into Spain, a fact that has stirred up a lot of confusion and debate, so we'll try to explain the context, as this is not something new.
We've only recently published an article explaining the so-called "6 drinks rule for all-inclusive hotels", which only applies in certain resorts in the Balearic Islands, but there have also been a lot of questions regarding the fact that people have only just learned that you can be asked to prove that you have enough money for your stay in Spain.
According to rules valid in regards to travel from third countries, visitors coming to Spain from countries outside the EU or outside the Schengen area can be required to prove that they have enough financial funds to support themselves during their stay in the country.
What is the minimum amount required for Spain?
Currently, the minimum amount is 100 euros per person per day, with a minimum of 900 euros or its legal equivalent in foreign currency (with effect from January 1, 2022).
Why 100 euros per day? How have they reached this amount?
The amount represents in euros 10% of the minimum gross interprofessional salary or its legal equivalent in foreign currency multiplied by the number of days visitors intend to stay in Spain and by the number of people traveling at their expense. Said amount will, in any case, be a minimum that represents 90% of the gross interprofessional minimum wage in force at any given time or its legal equivalent in foreign currency per person, regardless of the planned length of stay.
So, since the Spanish authorities have set the minimum interprofessional salary at €1,000 euros per month since January 1, 2022, the set minimum amount required for visitors is now 100 Euros per day.
Do you need to have the money on you in cash in case you're asked to prove you have enough funds?
No, you don't need to have large amounts of cash on you to prove you meet the requirements to sustain yourself while in Spain.
You can also prove you have enough funds by showing a recent bank statement for example.
Is Spain the only country to have this rule in place?
No, all countries in the EU have a minimum set amount of money, but this amount is different for each country.
Examples
For France, the minimum amount is €120 per day if you can't prove you have a prepaid accommodation or €65 per day if you can prove you already have paid for your accommodation.
For Italy, the minimum amount is different depending on the length of stay, for Germany it's €45 per day and for Belgium, it's €95 per day if staying in a hotel, and €45 per day if you stay in other types of accommodation like private apartments.
So as you can see, the amounts and conditions are different for each country and you should check the specific conditions for each certain country if you want to know the exact requirement before traveling.
Click hereif you want to see an official page from Spain's Ministry of Interior (Ministerio del Interior) where the 100 Euros per day requirement is mentioned and explained (the page is in Spanish but you can use Google Translate).
EU countries are not the only ones requiring that visitors be able to prove they have enough financial means when entering their territory. Actually, a lot of countries in the world have this requirement but the conditions and amounts vary considerably. It is a common condition and although this requirement officially exists, it is not something that is automatically asked from anyone entering Spain.
In Thailand, you need to prove that you have funds of at least 10,000 THB per person and 20,000 THB per family during your stay in the country.
Does this requirement to prove you have at least 100 Euros per day also apply to the Canary Islands?
Yes, as part of Spain, the same entry rules apply also when visiting the Canary Islands.
But this rule is nothing new and it's also not unique, as there are many countries that can ask for tourists to be able to prove they have enough funds for their stay.
How likely is it to be asked to prove you have these funds when entering Spain?
Personally, we haven't heard of anyone being asked by Border Police to show they have 100 Euros per day in funds when entering Spain, either through the Canary Islands or anywhere else. We're not saying it does not happen, just that we personally don't know anyone who has gone through this situation.
Spain's economy relies heavily on tourism, so unless there is a serious reason to do so, we don't think that the authorities will start to check funds on every tourist entering their country.
In fact, random travellers are selected to be asked for such documents. “Foreigners must prove, if required to do so by the officials in charge of controlling the entry of people into Spanish territory, that they have economic resources [for entering the country],” the Spanish Ministry of Interior notes.
Economic means may be accredited by presenting cash, traveller's cheques, a credit card accompanied by a bank account statement, an up-to-date bank book, or any other resource that accredits the amount available, such as a credit statement regarding the card or bank account.
What is the minimum amount required for Spain? Currently, the minimum amount is 100 euros per person per day, with a minimum of 900 euros or its legal equivalent in foreign currency (with effect from January 1, 2022). Why 100 euros per day?
Under the new rules, holidaymakers may be forced to prove that they have at least 100 euros (£85) per person per day of the trip. The Spanish Ministry del Interior says that foreigners must prove they have the “economic resources” to enter. This can be proven with cash, certified checks or credit cards.
Pay everything with your travel debit card and forget about hidden fees. Use your debit card to get most of your money after you arrive in Spain. You can get your first wad of cash from an ATM at your arrival airport.
It's always advisable to bring a mix of cash and credit cards on vacation. You should also exchange enough petty cash to cover airport incidentals, tipping, and transportation to your hotel before you leave home, or withdraw money upon arrival at an airport ATM.
Present proof of identity and a valid travel document. Present the corresponding visa if required, according to nationality. Provide evidence of meeting the conditions for the proposed stay and of possessing sufficient financial resources. Not be subject to a ban on entering Spain.
Travelers visiting the United States from a foreign country must be able to prove to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer that they have sufficient funds, i.e., credit card, cash, travelers' checks, money order to cover travel, lodging, entertainment, meals, etc. to be admitted into the United States.
How much money to take to Spain varies enormously on what you plan to do, but you should bank on about £30-£40 per person per day (£200-£250 per week) of spending money to cover meals, trips out and all the many attractions Spain has to offer.
Check what meals are included on your Contiki and then figure out how many extra meals you'll be paying for. A good budget would be between 40 – 70 Euros for food in a day if eating all your meals out (and how much you eat). You should also have some leftover for gelato.
This is so entirely dependent on your own travel preferences that it's tough to estimate but we recommend putting aside roughly €350 to €1000 for spending money for one week in Europe.
If you plan a more extended vacation and need to know how 3 weeks in Europe budget look like, we'd say you're looking at spending about 850 per week, making it 2,550 euros total. To quickly recap, if you are traveling to Europe, you are looking at spending around 120 euros per day on average.
...in cash, or by presenting certified checks, traveler's checks, payment letters, or credit cards , which they must be accompanied by the bank account statement or an updated bank book (letters from banks or Internet bank statements will not be accepted) or any other means that reliably proves the amount available as ...
In Spain you can pay in cash in almost all cases, and usually only Euros are accepted. In some cases, if the payment is made through a machine, it may be necessary to pay by card.
Transferwise also suggests that you always withdraw in local currency. That is to say, if you're withdrawing with a UK card, remember to select the withdrawal in Euros when in Spain. This will save you (and your bank account) from higher fees.
Visa and Mastercard have wide acceptance at shops and ATMs throughout Spain. Use your debit card or credit card like you would in the US, but look for cards that waive the currency conversion fee when you spend. You'll need to take a variety of spending options on your trip to the Iberian Peninsula.
If you use a US credit card in France, Italy, Spain, or another European country, you may be wondering whether to pay in euros or dollars on an American credit card. The short answer is: Always pay in the local currency (Euros), which allows your bank to set the exchange rate, and it will always be a better option.
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Euros? The currency of Spain is the Euro (€). U.S. dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Euros upon arrival.
You can get better rates by ordering foreign currency from your local bank or credit union before you start your trip. Correct! Banks and credit unions generally offer the best exchange rates, and many won't charge extra fees to exchange currency. Remember to order the foreign currency before you start your trip.
You may be charged for using your debit or credit card abroad to buy something or when you withdraw cash in a foreign currency. What you'll pay depends on the transaction you make and the card you use. You can also compare EEA currency conversion charges while travelling.
The best way to get local currency (Euros) is to use a debit card, able to access the Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus or Maestro networks, in an ATM (Interac cannot be used). Usually, the bank rate will be given for exchange rather than the local tourist rate.
Government of Spain abolishes mandatory use of face masks on public transport. Face masks will still be mandatory in health care facilities and services, in pharmacies and for people working in and visiting health and social care facilities.
That means those travelling on the 13-hour non-stop flights thankfully won't now face this annoying restriction after all, and will instead be free to choose whether to wear a face covering or not, in common with all the carrier's other European flights.
To be eligible to travel to Spain you must have a specific minimum amount of money. According to the European Commission, you need to attest owning the overall amount for duration up to 10 days that is representative of a 90% of the gross national minimum wage (636.93 €) that is 573.23€.
Proof of sufficient means of subsistence for the intended journey, recent bank account statements during the last three months (Bank statements must show the name and address of the owner). We cannot accept Travel Money Cards or cash as proof of sufficient funds.
Getting a proof of funds letter is fairly painless. You can obtain the letter by requesting one from the bank or other financial institution holding your money. An online or paper bank statement may also suffice. The bank should be able to get the letter back to you in less than a week, and often within a day or two.
How much money will you need for your trip to Spain? You should plan to spend around €150 ($166) per day on your vacation in Spain, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Providing that you only travel between cities every three or four days, cook some daily meals at your accommodation, and don't spend a lot of money on expensive tours or activities, you can expect your average trip to Spain cost to be around €60-175 per day.
With an average salary of €2,710 per month, you'll find that Spain is really as affordable as everyone says. If you're by yourself, you can live on €1000 per month in Spain. This includes room rent, groceries, health insurance, rare use of public transport, eating out a few times a month and shopping moderately.
While your exact expenses depend on a lot of factors, here is the short answer to the question: how much do I need to budget for backpacking Europe? Backpackers should expect to spend between $40 – $70 USD/day in Eastern Europe, $70 – $100/day in Western Europe, and $150 – $200/day in the Nordic countries.
Here is an estimate of what 2 weeks in Europe might look like for a traveler with a mid-range budget: Accommodation: 40 Euros per night for 14 nights = 560 Euros. Food: 40 Euros per day for 14 days = 560 Euros. Transportation: 10 Euros per day for 14 days = 140 Euros.
Yes. Although some can blow that much on one meal!! Others can somehow make the same amount last a week. As long as you don't get caught up in 'designer' shopping - you should be able to have quite a bit of fun on 500 euros.
Post-Brexit rule requires Brits visiting Spain to have €100 spending money per day. The Spanish tourist office has hit back at criticism, explaining that tourists don't need to worry. To enter Spain, British tourists may be asked to prove that they can spend at least €100 per day.
Some old and rather wrinkled ones, yes, but not reasonably new tidily-folded-in-half ones. I think it is not a problem. If you would refuse that particular banknote because it was too worn, then refuse it; as sb else might refuse it from you otherwise.
The general consensus is that you should have $50 to $100 in cash per day for each traveler. However, this amount could vary considerably depending on where you are vacationing. Some destinations are more cash-friendly than others.
A good rule of thumb, though, is that, on average, you should plan to carry between $50 and $100 per day in the currency of the country in which you're travelling. As with all things, research is your friend here. Understand where you're travelling and what the local customs regarding cash are.
Debit cards from any major US bank will work in any standard European bank's ATM (ideally, use a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo). As for credit cards, Visa and MasterCard are universal, American Express is less common, and Discover is unknown in Europe. Check your cards' expiration dates.
Just know that anytime you travel internationally with money, you're required to declare any cash over $10,000. You'll have to fill out declaration Form FinCEN 105 and provide the exact amount of money on you. Having to declare more than $10,000 in cash might seem a bit odd.
So, how much money should you take on holiday in Europe? After your accommodation, a general rule would say that you need roughly 40-60€ a day in western Europe, and a little less in eastern Europe.
Spanish officials have been forced to clarify a rule to enter Spain, after it was recently reported that UK tourists would need to prove they have a minimum of £750 spending money, at the rate of £85 a day.
European travelers should always have some cash on hand; getting it from an ATM abroad is usually the easiest, most advantageous way. If you need cash from an ATM, it's usually better to use a debit card, because credit cards often charge a high interest rate for a cash advance.
Should I use cash or a card to pay for things in Spain? Although many places accept over-the-counter card payments, it is always advisable to have some cash with you in Spain. Expect to use it to pay for smaller purchases of up to €20 at many shops and restaurants.
Prepaid currency or travel cards are the modern version of travellers' cheques – and arguably the safest way to carry money abroad. Before you travel, you can load your prepaid currency card with local currency so you can withdraw cash from an ATM on holiday.
Wise debit card is the best travel money card you can use while traveling around Spain. Whenever you need to get money in Spain, pay for something, use it and stop worrying about crazy fees and abusive currency exchange rates.
You can use your card to withdraw foreign currency (e.g. Euro, US Dollar) at some LINK ATMs. To find your nearest foreign currency dispensing ATM you can check the Cash Locator and do an advanced search for ATMs dispensing foreign currency.
Whether you are travelling with euros or with the currency of another country, the limit is 10,000 euros or equivalent. Above this amount, you will have to submit a declaration to the customs services. Spain also sets a limit for the entry of undeclared capital.
In calculating the proof of income for non-lucrative residency, you must have an annual income of 400% of IPREM in your bank account. The IPREM for 2023 is €600 per month. Therefore, as an individual, you will need to have €2,400 as a regular guaranteed monthly income or a yearly income of €28,800.
The measure affects Spanish companies and the amount you can pay in shops or for professional services. For payments between individuals residing in Spain, the limit remains at €2,500. For tourists, a cash limit of €10,000 on transactions remains in force.
Spain is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Spain for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.You must have sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.
Travelers visiting the United States from a foreign country must be able to prove to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer that they have sufficient funds, i.e., credit card, cash, travelers' checks, money order to cover travel, lodging, entertainment, meals, etc. to be admitted into the United States.
Do I need to tell my bank I'm going abroad? Yes!It's hugely important for customers to inform their bank of their travel plans in advance. This helps to protect against fraudulent activity and ensures that you have access to your funds while you are away.
Those under the age of 12 do not need to present any COVID-related documentation to enter Spain. Spain Travel Health –SpTH– and the associated form are no longer needed.
How much money will you need for your trip to Spain? You should plan to spend around €150 ($166) per day on your vacation in Spain, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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