More than 19 million Brits visit Spain each year, with an estimated 22,000 flights operating weekly between the two countries.
There are certain requirements travellers need to meet to enter the country:
- Valid ID and passport
- Visa (if required)
- Sufficient financial resources
- Have no pre-existing ban from Spain
Brits warned about changes to financial requirements for Spain
British nationals visiting Spain face updated entry requirements in 2026.
Financial requirements for British travellers were introduced on January 1, 2021, at the end of the Brexit transition period.
The UK became a “third state” outside the EU, meaning British nationals became subject to the standard Schengen Area border rules, which require visitors to prove they have sufficient financial means to support themselves.
These financial requirements have increased in 2026, due to a change in Spain’s minimum wage.
Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the financial requirements now stand at:
- €122.10 per person per day
- Minimum total of €1,089.90
Nationals of third states may be denied entry to Spain if they do not meet the requirements.
Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “At the request of the competent authorities, the traveller must present proof of having sufficient financial means for the proposed stay or of the ability to legally obtain such means.
“Economic means may be accredited by presenting cash, traveller’s cheques, a credit card accompanied by a bank account statement, an up-to-date bank book, or any other resource that accredits the amount available, such as a credit statement regarding the card or bank account.
“Bank letters or online bank statements will not be accepted.”
EES delays to continue amid reports of 6-hour airport queues
Meanwhile, industry experts have said delays caused by the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) are expected to continue for up to two years.
The EES was first introduced in October last year, before the rollout ramped up on April 10.
The new system requires British travellers, and other non-EU visitors, to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and facial scans, when entering the Schengen Area.
The new EES has received significant backlash since its introduction, with it causing long waits for passengers at airports.
Major airlines, including Jet2 and Ryanair, have called for the rollout of the new system to be suspended until after the summer to allow for a “smoother airport experience” during peak travel season.
CEO of Ryanair’s Malta subsidiary, Malta Air, David O’Brien, even threatened to pull all flights to Malta due to the extended wait times caused by the EES at airports.
Brits have previously been warned of six-hour waits at airports in Portugal caused by the new EES.
A fresh warning of more six-hour waits has now been issued for several major European airports, including:
- Lisbon
- Lanzarote
- Alicante
- Mallorca (Majorca)
Deputy executive director of EU border agency Frontex, Uku Sarekanno, said some member states are “struggling” to adopt the EES, and it could take up to two years for things to “stabilise”.
Addressing a summit of travel industry leaders organised by Abta in Westminster, Mr Sarekanno said: “We expect that the situation will stabilise in one or two years.
“The most challenging part is the first enrolment, that is the moment where fingerprints and facial images will be taken.
“If a person is visiting the EU again (within three years), they don’t have to go through the same process, so they can have a more fast track of entry.”
He continued: “Member states are still adjusting to the new reality.
“There are ones which are managing it rather well, who have dedicated resources.
“There are the others who are still struggling.
“This adjustment… is taking some time and effort.”
Chief executive of industry body Airlines UK, added: “If the EU’s own expectation is that queues will last up to two years, that’s not a teething problem – that’s a serious policy failure.
“Member states must make use of the flexibilities available to them, right now, to protect airline passengers this summer and beyond.”
EU rules currently allow the checks to be temporarily halted to avoid queues at peak periods but that is not always happening.
More travel changes coming in 2026
Britons have also been warned to prepare for the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), expected to launch later in 2026.
Under the scheme, visa-exempt travellers, including UK passport holders, will need permission to enter 30 European countries for short stays.
Applications will cost €20, although under-18s and over-70s will be exempt from the fee.
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