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Was that in Madrid / Spain? Just curious.the one & only time I was asked to provide evidence of funds to support myself, all I did was slap down my Mastercard, Visa card, a debit card & an ATM card on the bench & that was sufficient...I was not asked for bank statements or anything else.
That's a little weird that the airport staff in the USA asked you this question before your flight to Spain but thanks for sharing. Interesting to know.I was asked about it a week ago, before boarding my first flight to jfk where I had a connecting flight to Madrid. They asked me for my passport, proof I had a vaccination card, then my QR code and then “do you have €96 a day to cover the number of days of your trip?” I said “yeah” and they didn’t ask me to prove it.YMMV
Nothing at all has changed. You still will have to do what nationals of South Africa had to do before. Note the word "must continue" in the headline of this SIV article. There is merely a small increase, like every year, and this year it is an increase of € 3.50 for non-EU travellers to Spain who must apply for a Schengen visa.When I applied for my visa I had to proof that I have enough money, based on the days I will spend in Spain. So I assume I dont have to proof balances anymore..
I thought that it was odd when @Eve Alexandra mentioned it on her post a few days ago about arriving in Spain.That's a little weird that the airport staff in the USA asked you this question before your flight to Spain but thanks for sharing. Interesting to know.
Please!!! Nobody has to carry a bank statement with them.This does not mean that you have to carry the amount in cash with you. A bank statement showing that you have the amount available - including the overdraft facility - is sufficient.
I had not seen the comment before. I see now that there is a notice to this effect in the IATA Travel Centre database. Still odd that airport staff abroad pose such a question.I thought that it was odd when @Eve Alexandra mentioned it on her post a few days ago about arriving in Spain.
Especially not in Europe which embraces electronic banking much more than we do here in the US. At worst they'll ask you to log into your account to verify funds (but as I said upthread, not really feasible for the numbers coming through and staffing levels at border control so not likely).Please!!! Nobody has to carry a bank statement with them.
He was making sure that Delta confirmed everything Spain requires before letting me get on my first plane. When I was waiting at JFK for the second plane they called up probably a dozen people to do what I had done before my first flight. Maybe because it’s in that IATA database they are asking?I thought that it was odd when @Eve Alexandra mentioned it on her post a few days ago about arriving in Spain.
I had not seen the comment before. I see now that there is a notice to this effect in the IATA Travel Centre database. Still odd that airport staff abroad pose such a question.
Again, this is NOT NEW.
But of course we go off on all sorts of tangents now in this thread. Also not new.
Indeed, you will not be interrogated at the airport, neither before departure nor after arrival. They will look at the visa sticker in your passport that you got before your departure for Spain and will say Bienvenido in España.I think somewhere there's a misunderstanding - If, at the time of application for my visa, I proofed I have enough funds available, why would I be interrogated about funds at the airport?? I even got my visa for an extended period...
People who need to apply for visa may be asked for proof of their means at the time application. However, not all travellers from third countries are required to apply for a visa. If you have already applied for a visa you shouldn't need to provide additional proof at the airport.I think somewhere there's a misunderstanding - If, at the time of application for my visa, I proofed I have enough funds available, why would I be interrogated about funds at the airport?? I even got my visa for an extended period...
we were asked to provide 3 months of bank statements when we applied for our visa. this was to prove that we had enough money available to travel. we submitted them and were granted our visa. I think this is probably a visa requirement and you don't have to show the cash on entry.This news release states that to gain entry to Spain from a non-Schengen country you must now prove that you have €100 available for each day that you intend to be in Spain.
I wonder what has been your experience with this law.
That would mean for example that if you are flying to Madrid from outside of Europe and you intend to be in Spain for 40 days for walking the CF you must prove that you have €4000 if you don’t have proof of nightly accommodations already reserved and paid for.
Maybe I’m reading this wrong.
I’m just curious if they are asking us to be carrying around that kind of cash with us or do they accept an online bank statement on a smart phone or must it be a printed and certified bank statement? This new law seems quite severe and if truly enforced will discourage many thrifty peregrinos.
Travellers to Spain Must Continue to Prove They Have at Least €100 per Day in Order to Be Able to Enter the Country
Travellers from third countries reaching the national territory of Spain from the external borders of the European Union continue to be required to show proof that they have a minimum amount of €100 per day in order to be able to enter the country. The same requirement also applies to Spain...www.schengenvisainfo.com
Country | Minimum amount per day and per person | Remarks |
Austria | on a case-by-case basis | |
Belgium | EUR 45 - aliens staying with a private individual EUR 95 - aliens staying at a hotel | |
Bulgaria | EUR 50 EUR 500 - per stay | |
Croatia | EUR 100 EUR 50 – alien possessing a certified guarantee letter of a physical or legal entity from the Republic of Croatia, a proof of paid travel arrangement or similar document | |
Cyprus | on a case by case basis | |
Czech Republic | • For stays not exceeding 30 days – 0,5 times the subsistence minimum (current amount – December 2020 – CZK 2 490) for each day of stay, i.e. CZK 1 245 per day; • For stays exceeding 30 days – 15 times the subsistence minimum (current amount – December 2020 – 2 490 CZK), i.e. 37 350 CZK; this sum shall be subject to increase of double the subsistence minimum for each whole month of the intended stay in the territory, i.e. plus 4 980 CZK per each month; • The third-country national under 18 years shall prove half the amounts mentioned above. | |
Germany | EUR 45 | |
Denmark | DKK 350 | |
Estonia | EUR 130.80 | |
Greece | EUR 50 EUR 25 – for minors EUR 300 - for a stay of up to 5 days | |
Finland | on a case-by-case basis EUR 30 | In addition to the funds, or tickets, required for the departure and accommodation during the stay |
France | EUR 65 EUR 32.50 - persons holding proof of accommodation EUR 120 – persons holding no proof of accommodation | Where there is a hotel reservation for part of the stay, the amount required is € 65.00 for the period covered by the reservation and € 120.00 for the rest of the stay. |
Hungary | HUF 10 000* | |
Iceland | ISK 4000 ISK 20 000 - for each entry | |
Italy | EUR 269.60 | 1 to 5 days overall fixed sum |
Latvia | EUR 14 | |
Liechtenstein | around CHF 100 around CHF 30 - students | (owning a valid student ID) |
Lithuania | LTL 550 - alien applying to obtain a residence Permit LTL 275 - for minors EUR 40 - for a stay of up to 5 days | |
Luxembourg | EUR 67 | |
Malta | EUR 48 | |
Netherlands | EUR 55 | |
Norway | on a case by case basis NOK 500 (indicative) | |
Poland | PLN 300 for stay not exceeding 4 days PLN 75 per day by stay exceeding 4 days | |
Portugal | EUR 75 - for each entry EUR 40 - for each day spent on the territory | |
Romania | EUR 50, but no less then € 500 for the entire period, or equivalent EUR 30 for third country nationals for whom the invitation procedure applies | |
Slovakia | EUR 56 | |
Slovenia | EUR 70 EUR 35 - for minors accompanied by their parents | |
Spain | EUR 100 EUR 900 - minimum amount at the disposal | |
Sweden | SEK 450 | |
Switzerland | CHF 100 CHF 30 - students |
Yes...it was while going through Immigration at Madrid-Barajas airport in 2012.Was that in Madrid / Spain? Just curious.
Since I've just re-read the law in question, I wonder: Did you slap down your credit card of your own accord or did they indicate to you perhaps that the mere possession of a credit card could be enough proof for them? Because that's exactly what the law in question says. Article 6, point 4, third paragraph.
Two caminos, but no-one at the border crossing before Roncesvallesto check my small change...This news release states that to gain entry to Spain from a non-Schengen country you must now prove that you have €100 available for each day that you intend to be in Spain.
I wonder what has been your experience with this law.
That would mean for example that if you are flying to Madrid from outside of Europe and you intend to be in Spain for 40 days for walking the CF you must prove that you have €4000 if you don’t have proof of nightly accommodations already reserved and paid for.
Maybe I’m reading this wrong.
I’m just curious if they are asking us to be carrying around that kind of cash with us or do they accept an online bank statement on a smart phone or must it be a printed and certified bank statement? This new law seems quite severe and if truly enforced will discourage many thrifty peregrinos.
Travellers to Spain Must Continue to Prove They Have at Least €100 per Day in Order to Be Able to Enter the Country
Travellers from third countries reaching the national territory of Spain from the external borders of the European Union continue to be required to show proof that they have a minimum amount of €100 per day in order to be able to enter the country. The same requirement also applies to Spain...www.schengenvisainfo.com
I've never been asked to show anything like this, in the years of various visits to Spain and to other countries in the EU (I'm from Canada, outside the Schengen Zone for sure).This news release states that to gain entry to Spain from a non-Schengen country you must now prove that you have €100 available for each day that you intend to be in Spain.
I wonder what has been your experience with this law.
Maybe I’m reading this wrong.
Travellers to Spain Must Continue to Prove They Have at Least €100 per Day in Order to Be Able to Enter the Country
Travellers from third countries reaching the national territory of Spain from the external borders of the European Union continue to be required to show proof that they have a minimum amount of €100 per day in order to be able to enter the country. The same requirement also applies to Spain...www.schengenvisainfo.com
Well then, maybe I will bring an extra credit card then! Certainly better than 5,300 Euros in cash per person! hahaYes...it was while going through Immigration at Madrid-Barajas airport in 2012.
From memory (in my jet-lagged state) I was asked how long I intended to stay & what my plans were. When I answered both questions, I was then asked about funds availability. I didn't explain but rather just lined my cards up on the counter. Once the mighty Mastercard & Visa symbols materialised, they were satisfied & actually waved me off with a 'Si..si..si' as the cards kept coming!
I was tired & just wanted to get through with the least amount of hassle so how far it would've gone or what they would've wanted (if anything at all) if I hadn't produced my tarjetas de crédito, I can't say.
Initially wondered if the original news article was date April 1....Two caminos, but no-one at the border crossing before Roncesvallesto check my small change...
The airline has to find you a seat back if you are refused entry at an EU airport Hence the question.That's a little weird that the airport staff in the USA asked you this question before your flight to Spain but thanks for sharing. Interesting to know.
Yep...line 'em up!Well then, maybe I will bring an extra credit card then! Certainly better than 5,300 Euros in cash per person! haha
Yes, I checked the date on the original post first - then looked at the article date!Initially wondered if the original news article was date April 1....
A forum member promptly confirmed that she had been asked by a Spanish border control official to provide such proof:So far, we've not heard from a single person that he or she had been asked by a Spanish border control official to provide such proof. It is definitely not something that has been routinely done since 2007 - and that's how long this law exists already.
Yes...it was while going through Immigration at Madrid-Barajas airport in 2012.
You misunderstood me - I made a statement, I did not asked a question. This is about my 6th application for a Schengen Visa, so I am familiar with the procedures. That will also be the reason that I got my visa now is valid for years.@Johan van der Hoven, no, you will not be interrogated at the airport, neither before departure nor after arrival. They will look at the visa sticker in your passport that you got before your departure for Spain and will say Bienvenido in España.
You are on social media. People make comments. Based on other comments they read. Some lose of all connections to reality or a knowledge base.
Frankly, when I saw the first post I wondered whether I should even bother to write something or just get popcorn and lean back and watch the spectacle of replies to the first post.
I have now changed one or two words in my earlier post. Now it is addressed to everyone. The content is still the same. Glad to hear that you have a Schengen visa for several yearsYou misunderstood me - I made a statement, I did not asked a question. This is about my 6th application for a Schengen Visa, so I am familiar with the procedures. That will also be the reason that I got my visa now is valid for years.
You probably didn't need to amend your entry @Kathar1na... I voluntarily provided 'proof'... & as I said in my post when asked about funds;I knew that this would happen, or at least I had hoped for it. When I wrote:
A forum member promptly confirmed that she had been asked by a Spanish border control official to provide such proof:
I am therefore amending my earlier comment as follows: So far, we heard only from one single person who had been asked by a Spanish border control official to provide such proof, and that was 10 years ago. It is definitely not something that has been routinely checked since 2007 - and that's how long this law exists already.
Yes, that's what I thought at the time...I don't recall feeling my entry into the country was in jeopardy if I didn't produce reams of bank statements!Oh I get now, @Tassie Kaz, they merely asked you, and perhaps it would have been enough to answer "yes"? I like the image of slapping down a Mastercard, a Visa card, a debit card & an ATM card one by one on the bench. It makes a good story to tell. Thanks for sharing.
Not too many years ago, I carried a passport from a dodgy 3rd world country which is viewed with heavy suspicions from anywhere in the West. So I had to apply for a Schengen visa every time I visited these countries, which meant a lot of passed opportunities in my university days to go for a cheap weekend in Europe courtesy of budget flights. My University Chaplain also organised a Camino trip from Sarria-Santiago and I also had to pass.I’m just curious if they are asking us to be carrying around that kind of cash with us or do they accept an online bank statement on a smart phone or must it be a printed and certified bank statement? This new law seems quite severe and if truly enforced will discourage many thrifty peregrinos.
Travellers to Spain Must Continue to Prove They Have at Least €100 per Day in Order to Be Able to Enter the Country
Travellers from third countries reaching the national territory of Spain from the external borders of the European Union continue to be required to show proof that they have a minimum amount of €100 per day in order to be able to enter the country. The same requirement also applies to Spain...www.schengenvisainfo.com
So sorry you had to go through all of that! But - I can certainly see that sometimes all of those questions are surely necessary. Especially when coming from an area that is viewed by whatever government as being more "dangerous" or maybe the better word would be "suspicious". Thankfully the US and most of Europe are on fairly good terms with each other - so I wouldn't expect that sort of interrogation when heading to Europe. (just don't put anything suspicious in your carry on or checked luggage!) I am sure our government has plenty of people they interrogate like you described when entering our country. Definitely a hardship for those travelling - especially if not prepared because you don't think it will happen to you! But at the same time - I am glad the governments do try to keep their citizens safe. I live very close to the Mexican border - so not only does a LOT of border patrol and DEA agents live in our neighborhood - but we go through checkpoints quite often with our normal daily activities. My husband always goes out of he way to thank them for all they do to keep everyone safe. He does the same when he sees soldiers or other law enforcement in uniform (we are also by an air force base and have air force and army housed there).Not too many years ago, I carried a passport from a dodgy 3rd world country which is viewed with heavy suspicions from anywhere in the West.
The EU does not regard countries as 'dodgy' or 'suspicious' or has 'bad diplomatic relations' with them when their nationals are required to apply for a Schengen visa and cannot benefit from the visa waiver program.
I don't know the details why some nationalities benefit from the exemption while others don't. One major condition is reciprocity: When a non-EU country requires nationals from any of the 27 EU countries to apply for a visa to visit that non-EU country then the EU does not exempt the nationals of that country from the obligation to apply for a visa when they want to enter the Schengen area. There are other criteria, for example the percentage of travellers who overstay in the EU and don't return, the percentage of those who don't qualify for a visa (because they don't have the financial means or the background info is negative) but who still apply and then get refused, or countries that don't cooperate in taking back their own nationals when they are ordered to leave the EU.
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I don't know about everyone else - but for me, it isn't about being surprised they can question you, especially the questions you just mentioned (those are pretty standard questions). Of course they can ask all sorts of questions. This article just makes it sound like you need to have that 100 Euros (or foreign currency equivalent) a day in cash - which is absurd. And then there is the fact that I am not doing a touristy vacation - I am doing a pilgrimage. One in which I plan to spend less than half of the amount I am expected to have to cover my travels.So going back to the OP, it is completely reasonable for a Schengen immigration officer to enquire about your travel plans including proof of accommodation, finances, and your return journey. I’m surprised that it comes as a surprise to some folks!
As @Kathar1na wroteI don't know about everyone else - but for me, it isn't about being surprised they can question you, especially the questions you just mentioned (those are pretty standard questions). Of course they can ask all sorts of questions. This article just makes it sound like you need to have that 100 Euros (or foreign currency equivalent) a day in cash - which is absurd. And then there is the fact that I am not doing a touristy vacation - I am doing a pilgrimage. One in which I plan to spend less than half of the amount I am expected to have to cover my travels.
This Schengenvisainfo site is a click bait site.That's just an article on Schengenvisainfo.com ... not worth posting if you ask me, and not worth clicking on it (only for them). They make news out of non-news. Admittedly, mostly correct, though, just blown-up to full article size.
The overwhelming majority of non-EU forum members have a nationality where they don't have to get a visa to travel to Spain and to other Schengen countries. They don't get asked questions about their financial situation, neither in the past nor in the future. The linked article may seem to say that change is imminent, hence the surprised reactions, but it is a wrong impression.I’m surprised that it comes as a surprise to some folks!
I'm not sure what your question is, but this Wikipedia article shows which passport holders require a visa to enter South Africa.Interesting reading - may I ask a question and hopefully someone can tell me - as a South African we have to apply for visas to visit many many countries - and that costs us a big chunk of cash but the rest of the world can come here - visit our beautiful country - and not produce a visa or pay for one. The paperwork involved in applying for a visa is almost beyond ridiculous. I have been travelling to Spain and Portugal since 2012 and the length of the visa granted differs each time. I hope someone can give me an answer. You cant ask the Embassy!!
Thank you for this invitation for a tangent, @Kathar1naBut of course we go off on all sorts of tangents now in this thread. Also not new.
This is a big nothing. In the many times and countries I’ve been in Europe, I have never been asked to prove I had any amount of money. Forget this.This news release states that to gain entry to Spain from a non-Schengen country you must now prove that you have €100 available for each day that you intend to be in Spain.
I wonder what has been your experience with this law.
That would mean for example that if you are flying to Madrid from outside of Europe and you intend to be in Spain for 40 days for walking the CF you must prove that you have €4000 if you don’t have proof of nightly accommodations already reserved and paid for.
Maybe I’m reading this wrong.
I’m just curious if they are asking us to be carrying around that kind of cash with us or do they accept an online bank statement on a smart phone or must it be a printed and certified bank statement? This new law seems quite severe and if truly enforced will discourage many thrifty peregrinos.
Travellers to Spain Must Continue to Prove They Have at Least €100 per Day in Order to Be Able to Enter the Country
Travellers from third countries reaching the national territory of Spain from the external borders of the European Union continue to be required to show proof that they have a minimum amount of €100 per day in order to be able to enter the country. The same requirement also applies to Spain...www.schengenvisainfo.com
Interesting info @Lynne (USA/Crete Greece) ...I didn't know Greece had a version of the Spanish Non Lucrative Visa (NLV).When I moved from USA to Greece …
1. Had to go to Greek consulate in San Francisco and apply for a one year financially independent visa, which was good for one year. It is called a D Visa.
2. If I wanted to continue to stay in Greece — Within that one year had to go through the Greek immigration to obtain a Greek residency permit.
i had to prove at both steps that I had the funds to support myself for the length of the visa and then 2 year residency.
Previous to Greek residency permit and traveling only on my passport I have never been asked to verify financial viability.
Yes, I am aware! That's why I said it's absurd!
Absurd is what people read that is not even in the article, for example that they must spend €100 per day. The article does not say that. The article is about a routine announcement by the Spanish government that they routinely make. Both France and Spain calculate their Schengen amounts on the basis of their minimum wages. The Spanish government had recently increased theirs, hence the increase of the Schengen reference amount for travellers to Spain with non-EU passports from previously €96.50 to now €100.It's absurd
A legit assumption but that’s not the case. Spain has made an official announcement like the one described in the article many times since 2007. We just did not read about it on the forum or in social media or in the news, and very few of us, I guess, are regular readers of the EU’s Official Journal or Spain’s Boletin Oficial de España, both of them published these announcements. There will by another such announcement by Spain next year or even earlier when the next increase comes.Not being political, but I wonder if the EU and other areas might be more attentive to these obscure, little-enforced requirements with the movement of refugees around the world now.
I guess it is about the EU’s principle of reciprocity in their visa waiver policy. Another poster had already implied that it must or should mean: if a non-EU country does not require visa for EU nationals then the EU should do the same for travellers from the non-EU country to the Schengen area but that is not how it works and what the principle means.I'm not sure what your question
Quote from the US State Department for US passport holders:I did not read through all the responses but…
These guidelines really have most in mind those 3rd country Nationals who are seeking to live in Spain for a while, not just ordinary holidaymakers, tourists, or pilgrims, as they are similar to the financial conditions for one seeking to become resident in Spain, but neither working nor studying in the country.Absurd is what people read that is not even in the article, for example that they must spend €100 per day. The article does not say that. The article is about a routine announcement by the Spanish government that they routinely make. Both France and Spain calculate their Schengen amounts on the basis of their minimum wages. The Spanish government had recently increased theirs, hence the increase of the Schengen reference amount for travellers to Spain with non-EU passports from previously €96.50 to now €100.
That's actually a variable, so that there can be periods when having a return ticket is a must, and others where showing that you can purchase one when the time comes will be sufficient. Consult requirements at time of travel.BTW, in my most humble opinion, the webpage of the US State Department errs a little bit. You don’t need to have a return ticket. You need to have the funds to return to the USA or go elsewhere as long as you leave Schengen / EU when your time is up.
I carry the debit card & ATM card as a last line of defence should something go wrong…and one trip it did!” a traveller under the name Tassie Kaz wrote.
Whereas another commenter under the name Eve Alexandra said that about a week ago, during her trip to Spain, she was asked for her passport, proof if she had a vaccination card, and while she was asked whether she had €96 a day to cover the number of days of her trip, she was not required to prove it.
First of all, you don't have to spend it, just prove that you have it. Secondly, are you planning to travel to Gibraltar and then from Gibraltar to Spain ....?Omg I’m not even use 100€ a Day and I’ll stay att hotels..!!!
Wow! That just proves what a reliable source of information they are!Three guesses on which website I read this
To be more specific, that border has not been settled since 1713 and periodically results in unannounced issues when passing into Spain.Just a bit of factual background as not everybody may be aware of it: From time to time, there are issues at the border between Spain and Gibraltar. I googled the news to see what else is going on at the moment. I found this in the Gibraltar Chronicle:
3rd April 2022A senior European Commission official hinted on Sunday that negotiations on a UK/EU treaty for [Gibraltar]’s post-Brexit relations with the EU could extend beyond Easter week.IOW, the question of this border between the EU and this non-EU territory is not yet settled. I'm not saying that this has anything to do with a change of border control methods at the Spanish-Gibraltar border. But if I were to fly from say the USA or the UK or Australia to Madrid in the next few weeks, it would not be bothered by either of these two developments.
Which was precisely the point that I made initially about diplomatic relations affecting this question.Just a bit of factual background as not everybody may be aware of it: From time to time, there are issues at the border between Spain and Gibraltar.
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