UK visitors to Spain who want to stay with friends or family may need to get a letter from the police due to post-Brexit red tape.
It comes as UK passport holders travelling to France were told they will also have to file paperwork with the local town hall.
British immigrants in Spain lamented the news, with one suggesting this will make tourists look elsewhere in the future, The Express has reported.
Steve Jermin, another immigrant, said: “Looks like the days of backpacking around Europe are over – if proof of accommodation is needed for each night.”
And Express readers also chipped in on the matter.
Brexiteer tears
User Wren4Jen, who has a Brexit Party profile picture, said: “We are supposed to be going to stay with our daughter in September after waiting two years to get over there and we are now rethinking whether it is worth the trouble!
“She has to apply to Malaga, over one hour away, and has to take copies of our passports which of course we have and then she has to go back for the letter and then send the letter to us to produce at the border when entering.”
The user then said that 86 euros for two people visiting is going to make most people not want to visit – and complained about needing Covid tests before and after their UK arrival, even though this is a requirement from the UK part, not Spain, costing hundreds of pounds.
“Spain are really shewting themselves in the foot and making it as difficult as possible for tourists to visit. They just won’t bother with so many other places to visit and who can blame them! Their economy is going to go through the floor, serves them right,” Wren4Jen.
Official statement and procedure
As Covid entry restrictions to Spain from the UK have been liften this week, a statement published on the Brits in Spain explained the extra Brexit restrictions visitors will need to be mindful of.
At the Spanish border control, visitors may need to show they have enough money for their stay and show proof of accommodation. This includes booking confirmation, proof of address for own property or invitation from host or proof of their address if staying with a third party, friends or family.
The statement reads: “The Spanish Government has clarified that the ‘Carta de Invitación’ is one of the options available to prove that you have accommodation if staying with friends or family.”
The document can only be obtained by Spanish residents or Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero holders – which gives them indefinite leave to remain, under the Brexit withdrawal agreement.
The home owner needs to book an appointment at their local police station, download and file two separate forms and pay €74.31.
They then have to bring title deeds of the property where the guests will be staying, proof that the home owner lives there and their and their UK guests’ passport copies.
After up to 20 days, a second form needs to be printed and returned to the police station, together with a fee of €6.43 for each guest.
The original Carta De Invitación must then be sent to the UK visitors before their trip to Spain.
Related: Brits travelling to see friends and family in France must now get permission from local town halls
