Is there any information as to whether the Spanish authorities are actually implementing this? Information on line is very confusing.
Posted by
Paris
7013 posts
From the Ministry of the Interior, the immigration authorities may require that tourists present either a proof of reservation of accommodation or a letter of invitation if you are staying at someone's place.
So, in most cases, you do not need anything that you do not already have. Also, the level of scrunity for tourists from the USA is likely to be very low.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Would a letter from our family in Spain be sufficient? Looking at some web sites the cost of obtaining a letter from a police station is likely to be £70-80 each. A total of £210-240 for a 7 day trip. We are travelling from the UK. Does that make a difference?
Posted by
Paris
7013 posts
Apparently, your family in Spain would need to go to their local police station with a form: the details are below
https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/es/servicios-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-gestiones/extranjeria/regimen-general/carta-de-invitacion/
and the form is here:
https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/pdf/servicios-al-ciudadano/extranjeria/regimen-general/carta-de-invitacion/Solicitud-de-Carta-Invitacion.pdf
I have never been through this (I am an EU national), it is indeed expensive (75€ application fee + 10€ postage), and I suspect that it won't be checked in 99.99% of cases, but perhaps your family should check locally?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6747 posts
More and more upon arrival in Europe I’ve been asked where I’m staying. I always keep my hotel reservations at hand in case I need to show the immigration official.
My wife and I wonder what would happen if we travelled without reservations like we used to.