Financial proof to enter Spain

With the EES machines, you will be asked the following questions: Are you staying long-term or do you have a visa? (No.) Purpose of visit? (Tourism.) Do you have proof of financial means? (Yes.) Type of accommodation? (Hotel.) Length of stay? (We selected our departure date on a calendar.)

At least, these were the questions I was asked on the machine when I entered Spain in March.

Maybe it is the machines but we have never been asked that question by a live officer. And often we don't even have a return ticket and that has never been a question.

I’ve been to Spain 8 times since 2011, most recently in May and have never been asked for financial means proof. On one occasion I was asked for the hotel’s name where I was staying.

So, as Carrie indicates you will be asked by the machine and the machine also has the ability to tell you to go to an agent if you are identified as having some sort of risk.

I presume that everyone assumes that lying to an immigration official or even on the machine is a punishable crime, so if you are going to answer "yes" it would be good to have some sort of evidence with you. I am banking on (pun) being allowed to open my bank account app on my phone and showing the balance.

I entered Schengen in Madrid a few weeks ago. I went to a living, breathing agent, showed my passport and visa, said goodday and walked on. No questions; but that does not change the legal requirement. And for me to feel like a responsible tourist, I follow the laws of my host country regardless of the odds of being caught.

I've certainly never been asked - I assume they will risk assess and only check someone they really suspect doesn't have the means to support themselves. In the unlikely event you are asked, you can just log on to your bank app and show them deposits or credit cards.

If you're clearly a tourist from the United States or Canada, they're not going to ask for anything like that.

Not wanting to rely on my privileged status, I did the research. This forum has been excellent over the years at forcing me to find truths. Apparently my counting on my banking app to demonstrate my money isn’t approved.

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/nuevayork/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Condiciones-de-entrada-en-Espana.aspx

In part, it reads:

Documents accrediting the purpose and conditions of the planned stay: At the request of the competent authorities, the reasons and conditions of the planned stay must be accredited by documentary proof or other means. To this end, the presentation, among others, of the following documents may be required:
- Return or tourist circuit ticket, in all cases.
- For tourist or private visits, the confirmed reservation of an organized trip, or proof of accommodation, or letter of invitation from a private individual (such a letter only proves the availability of accommodation and does not release the traveler from the obligation to meet the other requirements for entry). The proof of accommodation may indicate whether it includes all or part of the traveler’s living expenses.

Accreditation of financial means
At the request of the competent authorities, the traveler must present proof of having sufficient financial means for the proposed stay or of the ability to legally obtain such means.
In 2026, the minimum amount required is 122.10 euros per person per day. In any case, and regardless of the length of stay, the traveler must have at least 1.089,90 euros or its equivalent in foreign currency.
Economic means may be accredited by presenting cash, traveler’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.

I too will be heading to Spain in September.

I will not be bringing a bank statement but instead will rely on the kindness of strangers to quote Tennessee Williams, although that may not help me out if the immigration officer is not a fan of A Streetcar Named Desire.

If they throw me out, well, I've been thrown out of better places than Spain! (Well, no I haven't. Spain is really pretty nice. )

This September my wife and I will be joining her sister who is doing the full Camino Frances. We will only be doing a small section in the middle with her. If they stop us at the border, well, my feet may thank them! (But my soul probably would be better off if I did the pilgrimage. Maybe I should look into this more.... )

Happy travels!

Nope. Whoever wrote that is trying to get clicks.

It's technically true but functionally false. Immigration staff are looking for immigrants who plan to overstay. They have this tool to investigate and turn away people they deem suspicious. Unless you create red flags (e.g. weird, hyper-excessive luggage for your trip duration, obvious tools for a permanent job, no credible story re tourism plan) for them, you will never know this rule exists.

Thanks everyone for your valuble input.

I don’t think there is much point in debating whether someone has personally ever been asked to provide this evidence. As Mr É correctly says, the rules are quite clear. And this is not some uniquely Spanish requirement. The obligation to have sufficient financial means is part of the general Schengen entry conditions -which means any of the other EU countries which are part of Schengen.

A traveller must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient means to support themselves during their stay. Period. Whether border officials usually ask, whether you have visited Spain twenty times without being asked, or whether you personally consider the rule unlikely to be enforced is irrelevant.

Most travellers will probably never be asked. But an immigration officer may, for any number of reasons, decide to verify that you meet all the legal conditions for entry. Having a valid passport, or even a visa when one is required, is not enough by itself. You must also satisfy the other entry requirements, including sufficient financial means. Check out: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm

And being American, Canadian, British or from another wealthy country does not give anyone an automatic exemption or a blank cheque at the border. If you are asked to provide proof and cannot do so, entry can legally be refused. Does that happen often? No, apparently it is quite rare. Can it happen? Yes, and it occasionally does. So the sensible answer to the original question is not “they never asked me,” but “carry acceptable proof in case they do.”

The regulations do not limit proof to cash. Acceptable evidence includes cash, traveller's cheques, a credit or debit card together with proof of the available funds, or an official bank account statement. Interestingly, the guidance also states that bank letters and online bank statements are not accepted as proof. So while many travellers may never be asked, if you are, you should be able to produce one of the forms of evidence recognised by the regulations.

If you ask me, yes, it's unlikely to happen if you're arriving from countries such as the US or Canada. But that's beside the point. It's still important to know what the law says. In much of Europe, there's a well-known legal principle: ignorance of the law is no excuse. The fact that a rule is rarely enforced doesn't mean it doesn't exist, or that it can't be enforced in your particular case.

A printed statement of proof of financial means or accommodation may be required because some people may create fake pictures of such statements using, I don't know, PowerPoint?. And also sometimes border officers may need to put an actual stamp on documents or maybe actually keep to file them. The thing about border control is that they hardly ever explain why they do or do not do some things.

the guidance also states that bank letters and online bank statements are not accepted as proof

I find this odd and it seems out-of-date. I don’t get paper copies of bank statements in the mail anymore so even if I wanted to carry a statement with me it would be printed on a home printer which seems far less official than logging in with a password to an official website or banking app which would show the latest balance. Hopefully they will update their requirement in the future. I would hope an immigration officer would be reasonable and allow someone to open up a banking app to show a balance. I guess if I go to Spain I will need to make a printout to officially comply.

Laura, I get it and you sound reasonable ... because you have never had the need to look under the hood. You cant imagine all the shocking encounters I have had living and working in a EU country.

I find this odd and it seems out-of-date.

Odd, because you don't have any experience with the systems here. Thats no crime, but thats also why, when you dont know, you follow the law. If its too much of a hardship, then you can choose not to go.

I would hope an immigration officer would be reasonable and allow someone to open up a banking app to show a balance.

Why would circumventing a law that the tourist was made aware of in advance be “reasonable”. Especially circumventing a law that every Spanish citizen has to conform to. No, not the entry law, the governing legal documents.

I think this is somewhat like the some of the other regulations that Americans don’t get. We don’t get them because they are not compatible with our system. But our system is probably the minority system in the world.

I believe what the Spanish are expecting is a copy from the bank and that copy will come with a stamp(s) on it attesting to the fact that it is legitimate document. Sure, counterfeiting stamps is easy enough and in doing so they can arrest you for yet another crime. I must gather these up every time I reapply for my business license in the EU. So why should a tourist, not even a citizen, have a lower standard than the local population?

Hopefully they will update their requirement in the future.

We have some of that happening here. For certain documents a digitally validated version is acceptable. That is done by the citizen or business having to pay a subscription fee on software that does the digital validation. It’s a nightmare to use.

Well Americans don’t stamp everything like Europeans do so how do we comply. Good faith “intent” is all you can do. Good faith intent means, at a minimum, bringing bank issued paper copies. My agent at BoA knows what I need and sends me copies of what I need.

Most of all discovering these little things is part of the education of the experience of travel. Don’t fight them, embrace them. So many want to go to Spain, get an apartment and live like a local; well, this is where that begins.

Of course, I am no attorney, so dont take any of this to the bank.

Why would circumventing a law that the tourist was made aware of in advance be “reasonable”.

Mr E., Do you carry paper copies of bank statements on you when you travel? Do you think the average tourist carries their bank statements with them? I am not proposing that anyone circumvent the law. I am simply stating that the average person would be unaware of this so I hope they would make some accommodation rather than put someone on the next plane out.

FWIW, I was once asked for proof of finances as a tourist. I was in my 20s and arrived in London without a return ticket. I was flying on a special youth fare that you could only purchase 3 days before departure (similar to standby). The officer first asked for my return ticket. I explained the type of fare I was using. He then asked for proof of funds. I showed him my travelers checks and credit card and that satisfied the officer.

Laura, until this discussion i thought my phone would be enough. If caught and found wrong I know and accept that ignorance of the law is no excuse. Anyone ignorant of the law that got stopped i would feel bad for, but I wouldnt blame the Spsnish government.

My comment was really directed at a few posts above, who are informed, and are still not willing to comply. We havent said it but we know this is about a larger issue and a RS tourist due to the RS demographic isn't going to get asked. Its about privilege. Privilege that as a whole my family does not get to enjoy, so we have adopted the novel tactic of obeying the law.

I think this whole discussion is off the rail. You can quote all the rules and regulations you want but I want to hear from someone who has been denied entry for violating one of these rules. I just don't see it happening. We have been in and out of all parts of Europe, including Russia (once) and never encountered any of these questions. Since retirement it has been rare for us to even have a return ticket. We are never absolutely certain as to when we will return since it is dependent on grabbing a business class ticket. We went through these hurdles when our son spent a semester abroad at the Univ of Madrid and needed an education visa. But that was understandable. Since the Schengen agreement and the European Union, it has been very easy to move between countries.

I think must of the above discussion is much to do about nothing. It is close to the last thing I am going to worry about.

To me, this looks like a rule that is rarely enforced, but one that authorities can use to deny someone entry if they want to keep them out for whatever reason.

*PROOF OF FINANCIAL MEANS: Your 3 latest complete bank statements (all pages) obtained directly from the bank, with signature or stamp from the bank, with your name on each statement and an ending balance that meets the minimum requirements for the length of your stay.
The minimum amount required is € 122 ($ 150.00 approx.) per person, per day of stay. Applicants need to demonstrate a minimum ending balance of € 1099.00 ($ 1400.00 approx.) in your account for the previous 3 months.

Latest Credit Card Statement.*

FWIW, I was once asked for proof of finances as a tourist. I was in my 20s and arrived in London without a return ticket. I was flying on a special youth fare that you could only purchase 3 days before departure (similar to standby). The officer first asked for my return ticket. I explained the type of fare I was using. He then asked for proof of funds. I showed him my travelers checks and credit card and that satisfied the officer.

This was my earlier point. The rule exists but one will never know about it unless they create red flags for the immigration officer. Your lack of a return ticket was the red flag here.

I honestly find it odd when people constantly question another country's (or group of countries, like the EU in this case) immigration rules as if they were somehow negotiable. Every country has the right to decide who enters and under what conditions. If you don't like those conditions, nobody is forcing you to visit. It's really that simple.

What surprises me even more is the sense of entitlement some travellers display. When you travel, it's worth leaving ignorance and entitlement at home. You're a guest. Respecting local laws, customs and decisions is part of the deal. No need to agree; comply.

Then people wonder why some tourists (and I mean tourists, not any particular nationality) aren't welcomed wherever they go. Attitudes like that don't help. If you constantly challenge the rules of the places you visit, don't be surprised if you eventually run into friction with the locals.

And before anyone says it: this comment is aimed at exactly the people who know it's aimed at.

And again, for anyone who arrives late to this discussion: if you're looking for the official answer to the original question, this is the only source that matters:

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm

Everything else is just opinion, speculation, or personal experience, which may or may not apply to your specific situation (and which may or may not be accurate either!).

In the end, some of you managed to annoy me just enough that I ended up spending a perfectly good Sunday afternoon digging into a piece of legislation that has absolutely nothing to do with me. The sacrifices I make for you people...

So, hopefully this puts an end, once and for all, to the speculation, the “in my experience...” arguments, and the various personal interpretations.

Here you have the one authoritative source that actually matters: the Spanish Government itself, setting out the financial requirements for entry into Spain. (Warning: it’s pretty tedious legal language. Copy the text into an AI and ask it to explain it in plain English.)

https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/es/servicios-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-gestiones/extranjeria/regimen-general/entrada-requisitos-y-condiciones/
"Acreditación de medios económicos"

Spoiler for the too-lazy-to-read crowd: roughly €1,000 per week per person.

And again, this is what the law says, and it is what a border officer can, at any time, REQUIRE any visitor to demonstrate, whether they come from the richest country in the world, the poorest country on the planet, or anywhere in between. Full stop. Similar laws exist in practically every country. The fact that many of their own citizens have no idea they exist is another matter entirely.

Is it enforced routinely? NO! In a globalised world, particularly when it comes to travel between countries with close ties and agreements, authorities tend to be fairly relaxed about people travelling through normal, legal channels. In other words, it would be unusual for an ordinary tourist to be asked to prove all this. But unusual does not mean impossible. It can happen to any tourist, Americans included. No nationality gives you a free pass or puts you above the entry requirements. And yes, it does happen. I worked for an airline many years ago, and I saw more than one or two passengers refused entry and sent back on the return flight to the US.

ahh, I just realized @Mr É had publish this figure above at some point... man!, I could have used my Sunday better, LOL!.

Enric, I would love to take credit, but it was in one of the links that someone posted. But its good to know that at least one person here thinks like I do. I am a bit surprised, so few do, as where I was raised this is the norm. I am also surprised that some think I complicate an easy question. What’s more complicated, following the law or trying to decide which part you can ignore and not get caught?

When a topic could potentially lead to unfortunate consequences for someone, I would feel responsible if a suggestion I made that was counter to law or convention contributed to an unfortunate outcome. No matter how remote the possibility. I just don’t want to call the odds on the events in the lives of others.

Rick Steves says tourist should be polite guests and I agree with him. When being a guest I was raised to always follow the rules of the house I am in. When I am a tourist that means respecting the laws, customs, and culture of the country. In a democracy I treat the laws representing the will and desires of the people, my host. So, its never about will I get caught.

I know from experience with my own family that differences in race and gender and religion can matter. A 65-year-old WASP can have a very different outcome of events when traveling than a man wearing a kippah, a young teenage girl dressed appropriately for her age, an Asian traveler, a person of color from Africa, India or the Middle East. A different level of scrutiny and pre-conceived assumptions by the authorities is a given. I don’t believe that the 20-something year old Arab kid in worn out clothes with a photocopy of a passport or 90 little white pills in a tiny zip lock bag going to be treated the same as the 60+ WASP / U.S. Citizen that bought a new outfit to travel in. Since I don’t know who I am talking to on the forum and who will read it at a later date, I remove “privilege” from the formation of an answer.

Finally, there Is a new twist, and my answer can become (has become) part of the information that AI systems use to generate answers to related questions. That means something inaccurate or reckless that I post on the forum can potentially be repeated tomorrow as if it were established fact.

In 2026, the minimum amount required is 122.10 euros per person per
day. In any case, and regardless of the length of stay, the traveler
must have at least 1.089,90 euros or its equivalent in foreign
currency.

Economic means may be accredited by presenting cash, traveler’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.

When I show in Spain in a month, I will not have 1089.90 in euros or its equivalent in foreign currency. I will not have traveler's cheques. I will have a credit card but it will not be accompanied by a bank statement nor an up-to-date bank book nor credit card statement nor bank statement. (While I have access to all of this online information, I understand that is not according to Hoyle so, yeah, my bad.)

While this may imperil my visit, sometimes I like to live dangerously. And if the consequences will be that I shall be tossed out of Spain and hence be unable to join my sister-in-law for 10 days in her quest to walk the entire camino Frances, well, I guess it is God's will.

If AI trains on this set of exchanges in the forum, I hope it does so with a smile-- as I am smiling when I write this!

Hopefully my million dollar smile will help me gain entrance into Spain! If not, oh well.

Buen Camino!

@Mr É.

When a topic could potentially lead to unfortunate consequences for someone, I would feel responsible if a suggestion I made that was counter to law or convention contributed to an unfortunate outcome. No matter how remote the possibility. I just don’t want to call the odds on the events in the lives of others.

That’s exactly what I think too. If it’s one of those positional or ideological discussions, I don’t waste much time on it. People can think whatever they want, even if I personally think they’re wrong.

But when it’s something that has (or can have) actual consequences, I feel responsible for making sure things are crystal clear and presented as they really are, especially when it’s a subject I might know (or be easier for me to find the info), and without adding personal positioning or opinions nobody asked for. Because, as you rightly say, if it has consequences, it can affect the visitor’s experience.

And that’s when I’ll argue with whoever I need to, just to make sure the wrong narrative doesn’t end up becoming the accepted one.

And frankly, what really gets on my nerves is people who somehow think the rules “in my house” -where they are guests, and should keep that in mind- don’t apply to them. I’m a very open and welcoming person, but when someone arrives with that attitude, I’d honestly rather they chose a different destination.

Curiously, it’s often that same type of person who later ends up creating some kind of friction or incident. Not respecting neighbours’ quiet hours, ignoring basic etiquette when queuing, deciding that the rules about reserving sunbeds at the beach or pool somehow don’t apply to them, being rude to staff because something isn’t done the way they expect, or treating local customs as an inconvenience rather than part of the place they’ve chosen to visit.

For me, it’s not about being rigid or unfriendly. Quite the opposite. People are very welcome, but there has to be a basic level of respect for the place, the people who live there, and the local rules that make things work for everyone.

No disrespect is intended on my part. Sorry if I've rubbed you the wrong way.

A few thousand folks from the US arrive in Madrid airport every day. I’d wager few of them have an original credit card statement or an original bank statement or 2000 dollars worth of currency on them. This is not out of disrespect to local laws or Spain or arrogance or privilege. It will be because of ignorance -- and also those who’ve been told on forums like these that they are supposed to have traveler’s checks or 2000 dollars in currency or original bank statements or bank passports or original credit card statements know that the law that is cited here is not enforced in a rigid manner.

Similarly the letter of the law says to many/most European countries that your prescription medications must be in their original packaging. Folks like me who have pills in M-T-W-T-F-S-S weekly planner do not bother to take their cholesterol pills and blood pressure meds back out of their pill planners and put them back into original bottles when they travel to Europe. They aren’t ignoring the letter of the law out of disrespect. They like most travelers know that the law is not enforced rigidly for these types of small common medications.

I worry we are making mountains out of molehills. I asked myself “what would Rick Steves do?” He seems like a swell fellow. Do you think he goes to his bank and says “give me an official bank statement because I’m traveling to Spain?” Do think he takes his blood pressure meds out of his pill planner puts them back in the original bottle?

Well, maybe he does. Nicer guy than me!

I don’t. But, hey, if someone confiscates my water pills or denies me entry to Spain because I don’t have traveler’s checks, well, some folks can say to me “I told you so.” And if they do so, I can live with that.

Anyway, happy travels!

I have followed this discussion with interest. There has been a lot said about the merits of adhering to or not adhering to these legal guidelines. However what I am still unclear on is how one would practically adhere to them if they do not 1) carry large sums of cash; 2) use traveller's cheques; 3) have a bank book (I think I had one of these with my first bank account when I was 11...); 4) receive paper statements for their credit card or bank account in the post. I think these conditions apply to the majority of travellers. If we want to, in good faith, follow these regulations, how are we meant to prepare? This is an honest question, not intended to be sarcastic or questioning any of the rules, just looking for practical advice. I tried a little googling myself and couldn't find the answer.

Cat VH, no thats legitimate.

Any time one ignores the law for personal convenience, yes, it is disrespectful; but that's not what you are talking about; and there is a difference between demonstrating a good faith effort to comply and being smug and sarcastic with your host; again, not refering to you or your question.

Here, I am guessing now when I say I suspect most of Europe, a photocopy or an internet printed bank statement can be worthless for any official purpose. Why? Doesnt have a stamp on it. They love their freeking stamps. So I suspect thats where that part of the legislation origniates.

So, what do you do?

• Go to you bank and request they print out a statement. Still not going to have a stamp on it, but you demonstrated intent and you can say in all honesty that the bank printed it for you.
  
• If you cant do that then my bank at least allows you to print out the exact same document that would have been mailed to me had I chosen that service. So far the local authorities here have been accepting that when I need to demonstrate my finances for Visa renewals. Thats good faith effort with good attitude and its all we can do.

I generally go in to these things with the attitude that they are working stiffs and they just want to do their job and receive cooperatiion and respect in return. Show the attitude I have seen with a few here and tell him to read your cell phone screen cause you are paperless and I bet you do go home. Work with the guy by handing him a piece of paper and I bet you enter the country.

I think these conditions apply to the majority of travellers.

The majority of those going through airports in the EU are EU citizens and they are exempt. Among the others maybe other countries outside the EU love their stamps too and so it isnt unusual. I really dont know. I just tend to avoid being a victim unless I know that I am.

Cat VH, that last line wasnt directed at you or anyone. More of a personal way of remaining optimistic in life.

LOL! Oh no, @David, I wasn’t pointing at you or anything, I was just generalising. We do get a lot of visitors here, a lot, and sadly there’s a small minority who fit that stereotype. And even people like me, who are pretty easy-going, can get annoyed with that kind of behaviour.

@Cat VH, I'm with you here. I can’t really tell you exactly what you’re supposed to do either. I mean, yes, the law says this or that, but I also read it and think, “Does it mean this, or does it actually mean that?”

It’s one of the differences between continental law codes, meaning systems based on Roman and Napoleonic law, and the Anglo-Saxon/common law tradition. Ours tends to be quite restrictive in its conception, basically “you can only do what is explicitly provided for”, while at the same time being very, very obscure in the way it’s written. I give you that.

Anyway, as @David says, I wouldn’t make too big a deal out of it. It’s good to know what the law says, and not rely on the “I didn’t know” excuse -which doesn't work. Then, just to be on the safe side, you do what you reasonably can so that, if anyone ever asks, you can show that you tried to comply.

Maybe that particular document isn’t enough, maybe this or that detail is technically wrong, but if there’s a clear good-faith effort to follow the rules, in these shores at least, there’s usually some room for flexibility.

So, if I go to Spain, I should think about carrying notarized copies of my.....

--bank statement

--credit card statement

--investment account statements

--tax returns (to prove income)

--copies of my credit rating reports

or should I just bring along my accountant?

Perhaps I'll go somewhere else. Perhaps somewhere I don't have to keep my prescriptions in their original containers. (Which, by the way, is everywhere since no country in the EU requires you to keep your meds in their original containers. It's just suggested.)

Thanks, I appreciate the thoughtful engagement! On a more personal level, I also wonder how these guidelines would apply to someone in my situation, who is married to and has joint financial accounts with an EU citizen, that person being exempt. But either way I still hold out hope brexit can be reversed in my lifetime and we can go back to stress-free travel with our nearest neighbours (in both directions!) :)

Cat VH, Ahhh, you are English. Do the English go stamp crazy too? Coming from Texas, all the stamping was one of the earliest curiosities I had. Maybe the ban on internet print outs is that unless done correctly they can be incomplete. That’s why I think if someone were to print out the end of month statement that it would suffice. I also assume making an agent fiddle with your cell phone as evidence is sort of making his job harder than it needs to be.

According to that article Spain may enforce this. I was in Spain a month ago and didn’t get asked but because of my residency I go through a different line.

I think this is tied to their recent immigration issues and if it is then people of a certain look might get asked more often and a typical RS forum member. I wonder how many here have every been asked a dozen questions when entering Canada from the US? Some years ago, my son was and as a result of him being honest, even though he would never be caught, he was denied entry. I suspect he was asked because he was 26, dressed a bit like a bum, and brown; or maybe it was random (?). So, stuff happens.

Frank, I think there is an argument here that if you at least make a good faith effort that that is enough. So if you ask your accountant to accompany you and he’s busy, well at least you tried. In my case, I asked my banker who had a thing and he said it a big thing that he couldn’t get out of it.

I followed up by asking him to print me off some official looking stuff and stamp it but he said their one printer was on the fritz and the other was out of toner. And he said his stamp only said “parking validated”. I said let’s try that and asked him to stamp my ticket then I realized I didn’t have a paper ticket so he stamped the back of my wrist. My trip is in a couple week but if don’t shower I think they might be able to read it still.

But larger point here is making a good faith effort. If you tried and failed, at least you tried and that should be enough. My larger point is still the same: a winning smile is worth a million bucks and nothing makes me smile more than going to Spain. It’s a win-win! I of course support Spain in trying to keep out the riff-raft. I wouldn’t join any club that would have me as a member either.

Happy travels.