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If travelers wish to visit the European Union and have a non-EU passport, there can be some obstacles. Getting the Schengen Visa—depending on where you come from—can be a challenging process, but there are additional steps any foreigner may need to take before traveling.
Unknown to many, travelers visiting from third countries (countries outside the EU) may have to prove they have 100 Euros per day of spending money to enter EU nations like Spain and France.
For many travelers, this isn’t an issue; for budget travelers, this could cause some problems.
What Does EU Law Suggest?
According to EU law on entry from third countries, travelers from non-Schengen and non-EU nations technically need to show proof of financial support for their entire stay in the Schengen Zone.
The EU calls this ‘means of subsistence.’ Travelers can prove their means of subsistence in the following ways:
- Cash
- Credit card
- Bank statements
- Proof of employment
- Proof of prepaid accommodation
- Payslips
Individual EU nations decide how much this requirement needs to be; it varies from nation to nation.
Border guards don't ask each traveler for means of subsistence every single time, as that would substantially slow down border crossing queues, but travelers should be aware that any non-EU tourist could be randomly asked to show proof of funds for entry.
Spain’s Entry Requirements
Travelers from third countries will need to show they have enough funds to cover 100 Euros per day in Spain. Spain has decided the amount of funds travelers should present must be 10% of the minimum inter-professional gross wage or the legal equivalent in third-country currency multiplied by the number of days a traveler wishes to spend in the country.
The EUR-Lex notes said: “Foreigners who intend to enter the national territory must continue to prove that they have a minimum amount of €100 per person per day, those they intend to stay in Spain with a minimum of €900 or its legal equivalent in foreign currency, provided that they are required by the officials in charge of carrying out the control of entry into Spanish territory and under the terms established in the aforementioned Order,”
France’s Entry Requirements
France will also continue to require travelers to prove they have over 100 Euros per day.
For example, the French authorities suggest travelers must prove they have a minimum of 120 Euros per day if the traveler doesn’t have evidence of prepaid accommodation. However, the amount decreases to only 65 Euros per day if the traveler has prepaid for the accommodation.
Moreover, France will allow budget travelers—if they prove they are staying in cheaper accommodation—to show proof of only 32.25 Euros per day. That will be a relief to many backpackers looking to visit France on a budget.
What About Other EU Nations?
The rules vary depending on the country:
- Belgium – Belgium has two ways of proving means of subsistence. If travelers stay in hotels, they need to prove they have 95 Euros per day; if travelers stay in cheaper accommodation—such as hostels—they must prove they have 45 Euros per day.
- Germany – Germany is more straightforward than some EU nations; they require travelers to prove they have 45 Euros per day.
- Netherlands – Similarly to Germany, the Netherlands makes it straightforward. Travelers must prove they have a minimum of 34 Euros per day.
- Italy – Italy, however, isn’t as simple. If travelers stay for up to 5 days, they must prove a fixed sum of 269.60 Euros. If travelers stay between 6 to 10 days, they must prove they have 44.93 Euros per day. And if travelers stay between 11 and 20 days, they must show a fixed sum of 51.64 Euros and proof of 36.67 Euros per day.
- Austria – Austria is an outlier in Europe. They review means of subsistence on a case-by-case basis. Of course, this may cause some uncertainty.
- Denmark – Denmark requires travelers to prove they have around 67 Euros per day of spending money. If travelers are staying in budget hotels or hostels, this drops to 47 Euros per day.
- Finland – Finland requires far less proof of funds compared to many EU nations; travelers only need to prove they have 30 Euros of spending money per day.
- Latvia – Latvia only requires proof of 14 Euros of spending money per day.
- Sweden – Sweden requires travelers to prove they have around 48 Euros of spending money per day.
The strictest financial entry requirements for third countries are in Spain and France. On the contrary, the rules are much more lenient in Germany and the Netherlands.
Either way, entering the Schengen Zone for non-EU citizens continues to be more challenging than visiting many non-EU nations. Any tourist visiting Europe this spring and summer should be aware that proof of funds may be asked for and show up to the border prepared. Starting in 2023 ETIAS will officially launch, creating another step for non-EU travelers visiting many European nations.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Jo
Monday 16th of May 2022
Do under 16's need to prove this? If my son was to travel to stay with his grandparents?
Dom
Friday 8th of April 2022
Really does not seem that unreasonable.
I’ve been to 50+ countries and that started with a massive euro trip in 2008 for 4 months.
That averaged at 60€ daily from the UK, Ireland, all of Western Europe and eastern.
So with inflation going nuts since covid and 14 years having passed to call it 100€ daily is well within reason.
With 3% annual inflation that 60€ is 90€ but we all know that’s not true with the last year or two.
If you don’t have 100€ daily you shouldn’t be in Western European countries. I’ve done it all with crazy budget travelling to loving on ski hills that were $10/k monthly. So I know people would argue that you don’t need that much but as a back up if things hit the fan having 100€ daily banked or proof you have consistent income that covers that from a start that comes in is well within reason.
Heck, you can do it on a budget but in some places you want €200 daily so you can actually Enjoy yourself.
Peace out -Dom
garrytravel
Friday 8th of April 2022
Same as it ever was. Certain countries will be profiled, and if you are stuck standing in customs line behind one of these, you might as well bring your headphones.
Jasmine
Thursday 7th of April 2022
If you used a bank statement to prove sufficient funds, would you have to print it out, or would it be okay to just show a digital copy?
Kashlee Kucheran
Thursday 7th of April 2022
A digital copy would surely suffice
Christian
Thursday 7th of April 2022
I am not in favour of more restrictions and paperwork, but it is understandable that the EU requires ETIAS from US travellers as a reciprocity of the US requiring ESTA from European travellers. But the EU should not require ETIAS from other countries with which it has a visa waiver agreement. There are many loopholes to go around the minimum amount required to visit countries within the EU: one, is that you can land in the country with the lowest requirement, such as Germany, and then fly to the destination of your liking. Second, you can buy two return tickets, one of which is for the next day of your arrival. If you buy this return ticket within 24 hours, you can cancel it upon your arrival and fool the government.
islamujeres
Thursday 7th of April 2022
@Christian, if they start doing like in mexico , you will be given few days visa if you have return ticket next day, not the 90days