Will new law affect family and friends staying with you in Spain?

News broke earlier this week that post-Brexit rules could see Spanish authorities enforce a policy that applies to third country nationals, which would require British travellers to show proof of an accommodation booking on arrival in Spain, in the same way as France has announced that this is now a necessity. The British Embassy in Madrid have given their official word on the situation, which is called a ‘Carta de Invitacion’ in Spanish.

The rule would mean that any British travellers who are coming over to stay with family or friends, and aren’t booked in to holiday accommodation, could be required to show an official Carta de Invitacion, a formal letter of invitation requested from Spanish police stations and sent by the host to the guest before travelling.

Understandably, news of this has spread quickly and many people have been left confused and angry over the potential inconvenience and cost of having family visit from the UK. However, according the Olive Press, the British Embassy in Madrid have confirmed that the Carta de Invitacion could become part of Spain’s entry requirements for UK (and other non EU) nationals.

Acording to the Embassy: “The Spanish Government has clarified that the Carta de Invitacion is one of the options available to demonstrate proof of accommodation if staying with friends or family in their private home.” Unfortunately this doesn’t give concrete evidence that it will or will not be asked for, which will do nothing to put e-pats minds at rest.

As with all other non-EU entrants into Spain, the embassy confirmed that other options available to Spanish border control include:
- Proof of onward/return journey.
- Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of stay.
- Proof of accommodation eg Hotel booking.
- Proof of address if visiting your second home.
- Carta de Invitacion if staying with friends or family.

The updated travel requirements were also added to the UK Government website last night, and more news is expected to in the next few days regarding the situation, especially as Spain has just announced today that Brits can come to Spain from Monday.

So, if the Carta de Invitacion is enforced, how do you apply for one?
The Carta de Invitacion can only be applied for by Spanish residents, who must submit an application for each individual guest.
Here is the process:
1) Home owner must make an appointment at their nearest National Police station.
2) Fill in a form for each guest.
3) They must download a modelo 790-12 and pay an admin fee of 74.31€ at a bank.
4) Take all paperwork to police appointment including property deeds/rental contract, empadronamiento certificate, TIE or Green resident card/certificate, copies of guest’s passports.

The process is expected to take 20 days depending on the volume of applications. Once you receive notification that it has been accepted and you have collected them from the police station, you have to print out a second 790-12 and pay 6.43€ per guest staying.

Finally, you must send this to your guests in the UK, so they can bring it with them when they travel. As stated above, France is implementing this system for all non-EU travellers including Brits, and yes, by the letter of the law Spain should impose it, which is why the Embassy have confirmed it and the Government have put it on their website.

But, will Spain actually impose it? Probably not, and there is no word from the Canary Islands to say they will either, but at least you now know what it is all about, because as they say, forewarned is forearmed.