Spanish government sends message to British tourists over £97 tourist rule to enter country

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Clarity has been provided over the so-called £97 rule that has left Brits heading to Spain for a holiday with a right royal headache.

It's been a bit of a migraine-inducer for weeks on end, with Brits trying to get their head around a new set of rules if you are jetting off this summer.

Sure, rules already exist when it comes to travelling to Spain, with some having hefty fines of up to €30,000 (£24,070).

And then there's Benidorm-specific rules with £1,000 fines. Don't get caught out, basically.

The £97 rule is a bit more complicated than the rest and is to do with life after Brexit for people living in the United Kingdom.

But it's one that you've got to listen to, given more than 15 million Brits jetted off to Spain last year alone; that's almost a quarter of all UK residents.

The rule is related to something called the Schengen Area, which guarantees free movement to more than 425 million EU citizens.

There's already new rules already regarding this region that means you could get banned from Europe for three years if you don't pay close attention.

Church of La Sagrada Familia from Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona. (Getty Stock Images)

All the countries in the Schengen Area are as follows: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

As a result of Brexit, the UK is no longer part of the EU and therefore is now a part of the Schengen Area - meaning the country is now treated as the rest of the world is.

It's therefore see the country's Foreign Office issue advice to UK residents for anyone jetting off to anywhere in Spain; mainland or islands.

Guidance states that Brits will have to show proof that they have at least €113.40 (£97) per person per day during their holiday stay in Spain.

Plaza de la Cibeles, Madrid. (Getty Stock Images)

For a family of four staying in Spain for two weeks, that's a requirement to show you've £5,432 to hand. Eek.

The Foreign Office says: “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."

LADbible approached the Spanish government over the issue for clarity as we head into the summer months where millions of Brits will jet off to Espana.

Previously, the Spanish government has said that 'foreigners must prove, if required to do so'.

A spokesperson for the government's Ministry of the Interior spoke to us, where they laid out the basics of what the law's background and its history.

The Spanish government has offered clarity. (Getty Stock Photo)

And more importantly, what it means in reality for the normal Brit heading to the Iberian Peninsula.

The message is clear too, with the spokesperson going as far as labelling the entire process as a 'hoax'.

They told LADbible: "The requirements are common for all citizens from outside the Schengen territory and are not specific to Spanish legislation, but are included in the Schengen Borders Code and are applicable in all EU countries.

"Also clarify that these are not systematic controls for tourists and that there has been no denial of entry for this reason.

"It is a hoax spread from time to time by English media, devoid of rigor and without any basis."

So there we have it, the Spanish government saying on the record that no tourist has been turned away due to not providing proof of funds to stay.

Looks like Brits can enjoy their Spanish holiday with a bit less anxiety now.