Spain may ask British tourists for proof of holiday cash: report

Meanwhile tourists are asking for IVA facturas for all purchases from spanish based businesses.... this will prove proof of expenditure in order to allow them in again and would be welcomed by businesses here...???

Stephen GrimmerYes many USA citizens don’t travel abroad much, many don’t have passports. Let’s face it the USA is a big wonderful place with loads to see and visit. It also has plenty of characterless beach and beer resorts in Florida. Beech bars galore if that’s you thing. As you say the minority, that do , are quite sophisticated travellers. Used to bureaucracy. Let’s face it the USA airport immigration experience isn’t exactly pleasurable. But it is efficient and polite in my experience anyway. As it was in Havana on my last visit there. Actually id say the Cubans are very welcoming. At least cigar smoking is not a crime there. Unlike calvia. Sore point. What my USA Friends do expect is service and civility .. Sometimes lacking in European destinations. And in that I include the U.K. .which is world class at poor service. Asking visitors can you afford to be here, at entry is not either of those things. If it’s that important then the new visa waver should have those requirements outlined. But in Schengen what would you set the funding limit at. 86 euros wouldn’t get you a snack and a beer in Monaco , or even Paris or Rome .Let alone a hotel room. And those places are where the majority of US tourists go., and the U.K. of course. Where getting a beer and pub lunch at that cost could be a challenge. But hey a pastrami sandwich in New York cost 40 bucks plus in the tourist places so most US world traveler citizens know the cost to play the game. So just accept they have the funds and prevent the embarrassment. They like like most tourists are there to spend money not earn it.

Stephen GrimmerThat's normal to stand in an hour or two no matter where you come from when entering US.

David HollandThe minority of Americans who travel internationally are pretty used to an hours+ queue and a few questions wherever they go internationally, because that in turn is the procedure for US immigration to all foreign tourists. They view and accept such controls/questions as a normal part of travel, whether to Japan, Brazil, Australia or now Mallorca.

I hate to have to point this out, but the only flights needing to use passport control were UK and Ireland anyhow (apart from very rare flights from Morrocco, Russia etc. and latterly the US). Only those land at Palma Terminal A. Terminals B, C and D are entirely barrier free. Walk off the plane and walk out. There is a separate customs "cubicle" for connecting arrivals from outside the EU, where you need to collect your bags if checked in from say, Canada. I imagine that applies to UK flights now too. So no doubt the only people using the e-gates are now Irish travellers or EU citizens travelling to/from the UK, and I imagine they are fairly under-used now.

Stan The ManThe UK is allowed to ask the same questions to EU visitors in UK. How come that Brits believe they can cherry pick as you please? If it's a requirement for all countries outside of EU, then you fall into that category, as that's what you chose.

David Holland@David Holland In Mallorca at least, Germans have always been the dominant tourist nationality. Brits may come in 2nd or third, but all continental Europeans combined are substantially more dominant in tourism here. That of course, doesn't include Americans or Canadians or visitors from everywhere else on the planet. And the further erodes Britain's percentages down to minor significance. Add to that the fact that when a room isn't booked by a Brit, it's highly likely to be booked by someone else. The demand is that high. And growing. As even you point out. You might think I'm some sort of anti-Brit wacko. But that's not it at all. I am British. The problem I have with Britain is that it seems obsessed with believing it's so important and sophisticated that it must be treated as exceptional. Yet, it consistently exhibits a lack of sophistication, accuses everybody else of insophistication, and in the big picture, isn't nearly as important as it wants to believe. The only ones who seem to believe in this English exceptionalism are the English. And then exhibit ignorant arrogance. It's not always meant to be an insult to everybody else. It's a subconscious presumption (likely as a result of the reassuring British tabloid press). Naturally, of course we shouldn't be subjected to passport controls or endure any kind of inconvenience at borders, or have to respect local cultures and laws. And of course we expect British stuff on our hols abroad. We're not foreigners. We're British. We're above all that. And if you impose that on us, we're going to stop coming, and then you'll be sorry. But you won't. And there won't be any crying if you do. Brexit should have taught this lesson. But it didn't seem to. This arrogance shows up in so many ways. It's a bloody common stereotype for Christ's sake. It's not as if nobody notices. Except the English. And for everybody else, that's a chuckle. That may help explain why Brits abroad are welcomed with roll eyes. They see you coming 🧐

@Brett Dennis: both Switzerland and Norway, although non-EU, are part of Schengen so visitors from those countries don’t have to go through border control to enter Spain. The rules apply to all countries that are both non-EU and non-Schengen. Same for Spanish citizens like myself entering the UK now. That doesn’t mean that you’ll be asked to produce this ‘evidence’, just be prepared in case you are.

I think you (MW) are being rather presumptive. Does this apply to other non-EU countries such as Switzerland and Norway?

Morgan WilliamsMorgan This reported , requirements , which like you I take with a very large pinch of salt. Will be as normal applied to all 3rd nation visitors. I have read of Mallorca’s push to sell the island to the USA particularly New York markets. I worked widely with yanks. Have quite a few I consider friends . Most Americans are very nice people. They are very independent , conservative and despite the brash image shown on tv and movies, many are quiet and keep their own company. If you want to experience the other side of the quiet American character, Knowing many as I do. I would not recommend welcoming them to the the island with the phrase, can you afford to stay here and show me your money. The response may surprise some. And not in a good way. Many yanks still can’t understand why Amex use is less available in Europe generally. Believe me that turns off many visiting European destinations. My mate Kevin Quinn ex USA navy and international company director of productivity, a California lad. hosted a dinner in Belgium on a job we worked on. bill came didn’t take Amex. Mug-see, here had to pay, interesting expenses claim that one. If this type of story hits USA media then those nice tourism sales trips, well save your money.