letters Of Invitation For Visiting Family

Just a rumour......but like lots of things in Spain if the law is there then there is a chance that it could be enforced at some time.

Like the not wearing flip flops when you are driving a car law.

The law requiring a 'letter of invitation' has been in effect since 2007, as it applies to all non-EU visitors to Spain - so it has become effective for visitors from the UK since Brexit.

There are several scare-mongering articles in the British media and on the websites of immigration lawyers. Some also state that you must be able to prove that you have a minimum of €100 per day to live on for the period that you are here; and also that you have medical insurance (although that would be covered by your EHIC / GHIC card).

The Gov.uk website states: 

If you enter the Schengen area as a tourist, you may need to provide additional documents at the border. As well as a valid return or onward ticket, when travelling to Spain you could be asked to show:

you have enough money for your stay

proof of accommodation for your stay, for example:

a hotel booking confirmation

proof of address if visiting your own property (such as second home)

an invitation or proof of address if staying with a third party, friends or family. A carta de invitation completed by your hosts is one of the options available.

The phrase that I have shown in bold is interesting, as this occurs in many articles, but it doesn't say what the other options are. In May 2021, Citizens Advice Bureaux Spain, who are generally very good at understanding and informing on the law in Spain, stated that they had checked with Spanish Immigration officials and received a variety of responses, indicating that the issue was either not understood, or, more likely, not important to them.

Personally, I have had many visitors since Brexit, including two last weekend - none of whom have been provided with a letter of invitation by me and none of whom have ever been asked for one. In a quick google search, I also can't find any articles about anyone who has either been asked for such a letter or been denied entry for not having one. So, in short - Yes, there is a regulation, but no one ever seems to apply it...

Hope this helps!