Border crossing France into Spain

[pilgrimadam]

Hello,
What are the formalities when crossing the border from France into Spain, passport control etc... We are US citizens.

 

[Kitsambler]

There are no formalities for crossing the France/Spain border. You will clear immigration at your port of entry into the EU area (most likely your arrival airport), and this starts the 90-day tourist visa good throughout the Schengen Visa area. We US citizens can only be in the Schengen area for 90 days out of every 180, using the tourism visa.

For details, you can see Wiki or search for other threads in this forum using Visa or Schengen as search terms.

 

[Bajaracer]

There are no formal border crossings within the EU, the only time you get your passport stamped is at the first EU country you fly into.

 

[NicoZ]

There no crossings within the Schengen zone. But if you leave/enter the zone you will/can end up at a control.

The obvious place is the UK. UK is in the EU but outside the Schengen.

 

[jirit]

The only formality is you can choose to stop speaking French and now choose to start speaking Spanish.

 

[Thengel1]

Hello,
What are the formalities when crossing the border from France into Spain, passport control etc... We are US citizens.

If you are on the Valcarlos route, you will cross into Spain, back into France and then back into Spain again and never see a so much as a sign.

 

[julie]

The only formality is you can choose to stop speaking French and now choose to start speaking Spanish.

But why is it then when I arrive in Spain I find myself saying "oui" and "merci" yet when I return through France "si" and "gracias" seem to pop out automatically?

 

[whariwharangi]

You're supposed to perform the secret ritual before you cross the border.

Then, when you get to the other side of the border, you are supposed to perform the secret ritual again.

What is the secret ritual you ask? How would I know? ... its a secret ...

 

[piogaw]

Hello,
What are the formalities when crossing the border from France into Spain, passport control etc... We are US citizens.

No formalities once you enter the schengen area through the first port of call.

Of course you might meet some stupid ryanair check in staff at the sdc (labacolla) airport as happened to me once. She wanted to know where and when i entered spain with an eec passport.
As there was no record of me entering france or spain even though i flew ryanair to biarritz.

 

[tyrrek]

If you leave your mobile phone switched on it will tell you when you've crossed the border with a 'welcome to Spain' text message. Buen Camino!

 

[mspath]

Today we so easily cross the old frontier between France and Spain in the Basque country, but these crossings are heavy with history.

At the beginning of WWII this southwest corner of France offered one of the major clandestine escape routes out of occupied France into Spain and the possibility of eventual freedom. See this Wikipedia map of the Ligne de démarcation. An American journalist, Varian Fry, helped immensely with refugee escapes from France into Spain. His real story has been told in the 2001 tv movie Varian's War. After the war he was awarded the Croix de Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur and in 1994 he was also honored by Yad Vashem as a "Righteous Among the Nations" for his rescue activities.

His citation in the American Holocaust museum mentions "secret mountain passages". Those passages are these Basque trails we now easily cross in peace. .. May we all remember.

Margaret Meredith

 

[naplesdon]

Mark Kurlansky has written 2 great books about the Basque people and talks extensively about their involvement in WWII in The Basque History of the World. He also wrote Cod in which he discusses the possibility that Basque fishermen were fishing off of north America 500 years before Columbus made his voyage to the New World and begs the question that the supposed Celtic heritage in Galicia might actually have Basque origins.

 

[dougfitz]

There no crossings within the Schengen zone. But if you leave/enter the zone you will/can end up at a control.

The obvious place is the UK. UK is in the EU but outside the Schengen.

Its quite important to make sure that you do have your arrivals and departures accurately recorded if you come from outside the EU and don't want to overstay on the Schengen tourist visa. I found airports were consistently good at this, but at places like the border controls on the Channel tunnel, there wasn't always a clear understanding that as an Australian, I needed to have my departure from the zone recorded.

Regards,

 

[jmcorrigan]

I've never had a problem being in France for more than 90 days. Neither have an American couple who live in my village here. I think you might have trouble if you make trouble, but otherwise no one cares.

I did finally get an EU passport so I can make trouble now

 

[dougfitz]

I've never had a problem being in France for more than 90 days. Neither have an American couple who live in my village here. I think you might have trouble if you make trouble, but otherwise no one cares.

I did finally get an EU passport so I can make trouble now

I have friends whose experience is quite different. Last year. their daughter was fined for overstaying, and then not allowed to re-enter the Schengen zone until she had been out of it for the necessary time to comply with the 90 days in 180 rule.

 

[Stefania13/14]

I've never had a problem being in France for more than 90 days. Neither have an American couple who live in my village here. I think you might have trouble if you make trouble, but otherwise no one cares.

I did finally get an EU passport so I can make trouble now

Jim, where are you from and how did you qualify for an EU passport?
Stefania

 

[jmcorrigan]

Jim, where are you from and how did you qualify for an EU passport?
Stefania

I'm from the US, now living in France full time. I discovered that I could get Irish citizenship because my grandmother was born in Ireland. So now I have an Irish/EU passport (and my American passport) and can live and work anywhere in Europe.

Just a quick comment about making 'trouble' here... Working here without the proper visas falls under that 'trouble' category. That will get you sent home.

 

[jmcorrigan]

I have friends whose experience is quite different. Last year. their daughter was fined for overstaying, and then not allowed to re-enter the Schengen zone until she had been out of it for the necessary time to comply with the 90 days in 180 rule.

Dougfitz, perhaps your friend's daughter was doing something objectionable enough to garner the attention of authorities.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There is a border check at the tunnel to Estacion Canfranc, and the police usually get on board the bus.

The abandoned border station at Somport silently testifies to the old days. It must have been quite an operation before the tunnel was cut through. Now they don't care about the cars, bikes, and walkers that cross there.

 

[naplesdon]

I believe in playing by the rules. I am an American citizen and have a carte de sejour in France which must be renewed every year with the same dossier of information including my birth certificate, proof of payments for electricity, sources of income, proof that I have health insurance that covers me while living in France, etc., etc. Last year I was told I must obtain a French driver's license which has turned into be quite an experience. A written test of 40 questions about a plethora subjects which would result in most Americans riding on buses and off the roads if there was a similar test there. Next up is the actual driving test which includes 100 questions about various functions of the car both interior and exterior with required responses like: proper, bon etat and fonction. Anyone who says it is easy to reside here is full of it!

 

[naplesdon]

Falcon's comment about passport checks in Estacion Canfranc is also true about returning to France on the bus across the river from Irun to Hendaye because more often than not there is a passport check conducted there or just up the road in St. Jean de Luz. I've seen people escorted off the bus because they didn't have the proper papers.

 

[naplesdon]

BTW can we change the thread title to "Border Crossing"

 

[Thengel1]

On the subject of overstaying the 90 days, it is certainly true than the police are not going start hunting you down on the 91st day. But assuming you don't intend to hide out in the EU for the rest of your life, overstaying the 90 days runs serious risks of being arrested when attempting to leave. Border officials do NOT take overstaying lightly. At the very least, you can expect to be banned from reentering the EU for a considerable length of time.

So, even if you feel no inclination to abide by the laws of the places you are visiting, for practical purposes I would strongly suggest not overstaying.

 

[dougfitz]

Dougfitz, perhaps your friend's daughter was doing something objectionable enough to garner the attention of authorities.

I wondered how long it would take you to suggest that. I understand that she took the train from Paris to Belgrade, and when her passport was checked on the way back, the official worked out she was several days over. There was a fine and she was not allowed to continue. It didn't seem to need her to do anything more objectionable than be travelling.
I suppose if she hadn't just hung around in Paris for so long initially, and arranged her trip differently, she might have been able to avoid this, but I really don't know.

 

[Thomas1962]

To come back on the original topic: bordercontrol within schengen countries is even not allowed any more, only in special moments. This is part of the schengen regulations.
Wich makes it still possible for any country to maken 'non border' checks just 200 meters behind any border...

 

[jmcorrigan]

I wondered how long it would take you to suggest that. I understand that she took the train from Paris to Belgrade...

So, she was doing something objectionable. My point stands. If you're not causing any trouble within a country, such as France (in my experience), nobody will give you any problems no matter how long you stay. I imagine if you antagonize people enough they'll want to get rid of you.

 

[dougfitz]

So, she was doing something objectionable. My point stands. If you're not causing any trouble within a country, such as France (in my experience), nobody will give you any problems no matter how long you stay. I imagine if you antagonize people enough they'll want to get rid of you.

Your point, as you call it, is the logical equivalent of saying a sin isn't a sin unless one is found committing it. It's equally objectionable given your earlier support for breaking the rules on only staying 90 days in 180 within the Schengen zone on a tourist visa.

 

[hotelmedicis]

I've been a resident of France for the past 14 years and only recently (past 5 to 10 years?) have they begun checking passports upon leaving the country. Before that, they would only give them a cursory glance and you'd be on your way. Now the passports are scanned. When I flew out of Paris last year I gave them my US passport and the customs agent scanned it and explained to me that I had overstayed my visa. I then produced my EU passport and French residency card and it was fine.

Also, I have had my bags searched entering Spain from France at Hendaye by Spanish Customs. It's very rare, but it does still happen on occasion.

 

[naplesdon]

This question is very tricky subject. I've read post in the past where people complained that there passport wasn't stamped upon their arrival from the US, kind of like getting your cellos. Dougfitz is totally correct in that the scan is all the security people need and for those people who think they can walk around with impunity and extend their stay for over 90 days, well good luck when you make your exit. As hotelmedicis says there are places where they check your bags and identity when you cross borders from one European country to another; there could be drugs, illegal aliens, guns and in the case of the Basque one could carrying a wonderfully cured leg of a pig.

 

[nreyn12]

pilgrimadam, as others have said, there are no formal or legal formalities at the French-Spanish border on either the high or low roads between SJPP and Roncesvalles. On the high road, or Napoleon Route, there is a cool marker just before the border that shows that you are really, really far from Santiago, and that makes for a fantastic photo. And then there is a fountain and cattle guard located at the actual border-line. Not too exciting, but do fill up your water bottle!

 

[William Marques]

If you overstay your visa you will have no problem leaving the country but next time you apply for a Schengen visa you may have difficulties. I had a problem with the Spanish passport authorities once even as a EU citizen when I entered the country and was taken to a small room to one side and questioned as a person with the same name as mine had overstayed his visa.

 

[jmcorrigan]

Your point, as you call it, is the logical equivalent of saying a sin isn't a sin unless one is found committing it. It's equally objectionable given your earlier support for breaking the rules on only staying 90 days in 180 within the Schengen zone on a tourist visa.

Dougfitz I bow to your awesomeness. You sound cranky though. Perhaps you need to do another Camino

That's a smile, btw, but perhaps you know better too. And yes, I do support smiling, even with people who like to antagonize others.

 

[edeanr]

Hello,
What are the formalities when crossing the border from France into Spain, passport control etc... We are US citizens.

I was on an academic sabbatical semester from January to June, 2013 (from USA) living in Granada. Prior to walking The Camino in April/May of this past spring, my wife and I went to Morocco, not wanting to overstay our 90 day tourist visa. We were properly stamped out/stamped in to Spain at Tarifa, in far southern Spain, upon our return from Morocco. However, when leaving Spain from Barajas airport in Madrid in June, the customs official never even checked our entry dates . I watched specifically to see if he would look at this in our passports.....and he did not. I assume it was because we looked pretty harmless, had US passports and made no trouble. Or was he simply an inept customs official?

 

[whariwharangi]

The rule is 90 days per 180. Overstay at your peril. Please don't because if too many do then travel gets more difficult.

Prime example is Canada imposed stricter visa controls on all Latin American countries as a result of scofflaws overstaying their visas, often with intent of never going home. Now I get to pay stiff reciprocation taxes when I visit said Latin American countries.

 

[JabbaPapa]

There are usually no formalities, but spot checks always remain possible (though VERY rare) at any international border of the Schengen zone.

If travelling from outside this zone though, you DO need to carry your passport with you ; and if travelling from within, you need to carry some form of ID in both countries anyway, which in most cases will be an ID card or passport.

And I'd personally advise travellers from outside Europe to deliberately seek to get their passports stamped by the Police in the border area of Spain as well as at the airport when leaving, as having an entry stamp from one country and no exit stamps can cause headaches in case of future trips into Schengen.

PS Oh !!! But was forgetting one detail -- if the counter-terrorism alert level is high, or if any country involved is currently at war, then border checks will be more frequent than normal

 

[JabbaPapa]

I was on an academic sabbatical semester from January to June, 2013 (from USA) living in Granada. Prior to walking The Camino in April/May of this past spring, my wife and I went to Morocco, not wanting to overstay our 90 day tourist visa. We were properly stamped out/stamped in to Spain at Tarifa, in far southern Spain, upon our return from Morocco. However, when leaving Spain from Barajas airport in Madrid in June, the customs official never even checked our entry dates . I watched specifically to see if he would look at this in our passports.....and he did not. I assume it was because we looked pretty harmless, had US passports and made no trouble. Or was he simply an inept customs official?

No, US citizens are "friendlies", so that the lack of an exit stamp is typically a non-problem for Americans. This is not true of every nationality.

 

[dougfitz]

... You sound cranky though. Perhaps you need to do another Camino ...

You're right on both counts. I will be back in 2014, but not for long enough to stretch any friendship with the Schengen zone rules!

 

[NicoZ]

However, when leaving Spain from Barajas airport in Madrid in June, the customs official never even checked our entry dates . I watched specifically to see if he would look at this in our passports.....and he did not. I assume it was because we looked pretty harmless, had US passports and made no trouble. Or was he simply an inept customs official?

When you checked in with the airline did you have to provide your ID details? I'm fairly sure this gets passed on by the airlines.

This is one reason the airlines pay attention to your ID. If they let you on the plane and you don't have the right to get off the airline ends up responsible for sending you back.

 

[jirit]

Given the level of NSA spying that is going on, I suspect the NSA/FBI/CIA,MI5/MI6, (insert your fav spy agency) will tap into your emails, text message, Skype and phone calls, open up our electronic plane and train tickets and other travel documents, and then politely notify the various border crossing authorities of your pending arrival.

I am not sure if they will have a deal to the notify the various albergues along the camino of your arrival and the number of beds you may want to reserve but I am sure somebody is working on this feature

In due time we won't need passports. Instead we will be carrying low powered silent micro chip devices that are GPS enabled, designed to track every movement we make - wait a minute that is called an iPhone!

 

[Tincatinker]

Hey Jirit, spot on. But don't forget your bank knows everywhere you go and everything you do there. Where you shop, where you drink and which restaurants you patronise. Unless you stay under the radar with that stuff called cash.

 

[7wood]

I think pilgrimadam wants to know if there is a custom/passport control between France and Spain on the Camino Frances.

 

[billmclaughlin]

If that is what pilgrimadam is asking, the answer for the Route Napoleon is none at all. The border is unattended.

 

[SYates]

Given the level of NSA spying that is going on, I suspect the NSA/FBI/CIA,MI5/MI6, (insert your fav spy agency) will tap into your emails, text message, Skype and phone calls, open up our electronic plane and train tickets and other travel documents, and then politely notify the various border crossing authorities of your pending arrival.

I am not sure if they will have a deal to the notify the various albergues along the camino of your arrival and the number of beds you may want to reserve but I am sure somebody is working on this feature

In due time we won't need passports. Instead we will be carrying low powered silent micro chip devices that are GPS enabled, designed to track every movement we make - wait a minute that is called an iPhone!

Unfortunately there is so much truth in this already that it makes me shiver, SY

 

[edeanr]

When you checked in with the airline did you have to provide your ID details? I'm fairly sure this gets passed on by the airlines.

This is one reason the airlines pay attention to your ID. If they let you on the plane and you don't have the right to get off the airline ends up responsible for sending you back.

Great point and I´m guessing you are probably correct. I know that the airline official - Iberia - did look at the front page - photo, expiration date of the passport, etc. I do not recall her looking through the passport however to check on our entry date....but then again, I wasn´t specifically watching for that. I was more concerned with our over-sized hand-carry luggage! (She did allow us to carry it with us).

As per the original question - on the Valcarlos route, there are no border crossings between France and Spain.

 

[supersullivan]

There were some mountain sheep paying very close attention when Icrossed the French/ Spanish border on the Route Napoleon in May, might have been border patrol wolves in sheeps clothing ;-) but as said above, the border crossing on the Route Napoleon is unattended and marked by a cattle grid just after the Fountain Roland.

 

[Stefania13/14]

I'm from the US, now living in France full time. I discovered that I could get Irish citizenship because my grandmother was born in Ireland. So now I have an Irish/EU passport (and my American passport) and can live and work anywhere in Europe.

Just a quick comment about making 'trouble' here... Working here without the proper visas falls under that 'trouble' category. That will get you sent home.

Jim, thanks for the response. Can you or anyone tell me where to look up such visa info? I too have a grandmother from Europe - Poland. Sure would like to check this out further.
Stefania

 

[jmcorrigan]

Jim, thanks for the response. Can you or anyone tell me where to look up such visa info? I too have a grandmother from Europe - Poland. Sure would like to check this out further.
Stefania

In my case I contacted the Irish consulate in New York, where I was living, and they provided me with all the forms and formalities to do it. Don't get your hopes up though in the case if other European countries. It is something that Ireland allows because of its history. I don't know if any other countries do it.

 

[pudgypilgrim]

The rules vary from country to country, Stefania. Just google something like "citizenship requirements Poland" to find out for there.

There is one other way, which I personally would not do even I could afford it, which I can't, but just FYI: if you buy $250,000 in Hungarian govt bonds and agree to hold them for at least five years, Hungary will give you a residence permit (not a Hungarian passport), which also lets you stay as long as you want in the Schengen area. This has been very controversial and much-complained about by other EU countries, but it's still there, AFAIK.

 

[David]

If you take your mobile phone with you 'they' know where you are all the time ... acts as a beacon.

 

[billmclaughlin]

So unless you want a text from some corporation welcoming you to Spain, turn off that phone.

Having said that I'll add that I the first time I ever received such a notice I was on a train that had just crossed from Finland into Russia passing between watchtowers full of guys with guns. The fact that someone was watching from much higher up was comforting.

 

[Stefania13/14]

Thanks Jim and Pudgy!
I will check this out.
Stefania

 

[nreyn12]

Here is what the border crossing on the Camino Frances, from France into Spain looks like. Photo is taken from the Spanish side, looking back at France. No formalities, except maybe refilling your water bottle at the Fontaine de Roland.

 

[wayfarer]

There were some mountain sheep paying very close attention when Icrossed the French/ Spanish border on the Route Napoleon in May, might have been border patrol wolves in sheeps clothing ;-) but as said above, the border crossing on the Route Napoleon is unattended and marked by a cattle grid just after the Fountain Roland.

Well you think they were sheep!!!!

 

[haikutaxi]

Hello,
What are the formalities when crossing the border from France into Spain, passport control etc... We are US citizens.

no formalities ... essentially no border (EU) ... just walk across like going from state to state in the USA.

 

[JabbaPapa]

no formalities ... essentially no border (EU) ... just walk across like going from state to state in the USA.

No, not true -- while there are only exceptionally any border controls, the legal obligation to carry valid ID and international travelling documents remains.

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Here is what the border crossing on the Camino Frances, from France into Spain looks like. Photo is taken from the Spanish side, looking back at France. No formalities, except maybe refilling your water bottle at the Fontaine de Roland.
View attachment 6676

Kool!