Strenge Regeln nach dem Brexit für britische Touristen, die zur EU reisen, werden in Kraft treten, um in Kraft zu treten

Traveling to other countries will be like traveling to other countries

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Bit misleading as it’s not just for British people, but don’t let get in the way of a nice moan about Brexit.

Correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t biometric checks already in place at border control throughout Europe? I travelled through Italy and Switzerland recently and an automated machine recorded my fingerprints and took a picture of me at the gates. It wasn’t a big nuisance or anything.

And just wait until next year for the tabloid headlines to start shouting about the €20 ETIAS fee for non-EU citizens wanting to travel into the EU.

Well this was a British proposal and then we voted for Brexit. Talk about karma

The article is good, but doesn’t mention one important thing. You also need to show proof that you have a place to stay. If you have a hotel or airbnb reservation, print it out. If you are staying with friends or family, then THEY need to apply to the Policia Local in their area, fill in a form (for a carta de invitación), and pay a 60 EUR fee (I think per adult who is visiting them). How long it takes to process the form varies, but 10 to 30 days is a decent guess from what I have read of other people’s experiences. Might be longer. No way to tell, but if your host can get out of the city and visit a little town where they have a police station who do it, it’ll almost certainly be quicker. In July and August it will definitely be longer and if your host submits their form in mid July or August then don’t expect it to even be looked at until mid September at the earliest.

When your host gets the form with the official stamp, they need to get it to you. The Spanish postal system in the city in which I live once took 6 weeks to deliver a letter _within the same city_. It is not unusual for Christmas cards posted in the UK in November to arrive in February or March. So your host should use priority, registered mail. Then you have to take the original form with you to show at border control. A scan will not do. Nor will a letter from your host. Only the original document which the Spanish police stamped and approved.

This rule has also technically been in place since Brexit but none of my visitors have ever been asked for it (I live in Spain). With the new rules coming in, they might start asking for it. It also depends on which officer at border control you are dealing with and whether or not they like how you look (long hair or not being white or not conforming to cishet traditional looks (eg hippy/goth/alt/punk etc clothing, same sex couples holding hands etc) will definitely make it more likely that you are asked for it just so they can turn you away). You will very probably get asked for it if they pull you aside because you got something wrong on the automated systems, especially if you complain. So best to have it.

Again, this will vary by city and the officer who deals with you. But it is best to assume that anyone in uniform here is right wing and still lives in the 1950s, from my experience. And don’t forget to carry photo ID on you at all times. If you don’t, and the police ask for it, they will detain you and (if you are lucky) drive you to your hotel and make you get it. If you are unlucky they have the authority to do that then also fine you. Again, depends on the officer. Oh, if you argue with an officer over a fine, it automatically goes up and they write you a new one. Swallow whatever you were going to say and say „sorry, I won’t do it again, thank you for letting me know.“

And NEVER talk to an officer in Spanish. Even if you are fluent. You have the right to a translator. Use it. That way you also have a witness. Recording the police is a crime, and if you speak to them in Spanish they tend to write down whatever they think your SHOULD have said. If you challenge the officer’s honesty in court, in my lawyer’s own words („it will go against you and they will assume you are guilty“). Even though we had cast iron proof the police were lying, we didn’t challenge their version of events.

Oh, one more thing: the emergency number in C de valencia os ONLY for Spanish speakers. If you speak English then there is a different number (which they will give to you – in rapid Spanish). That line costs 50 cents per minute, so make sure you have some credit on your phone in case of emergency. Also, never call an ambulance unless you HAVE to. Get a taxi if you can walk. It’s much faster.

Enjoy your hols!

We voted for this so not sure what the problem is here?