The European Union may require verification of appropriate cash from travelers traveling in the EU from third-country countries (non-EU countries) before allowing them entry into France or Spain, among other countries. Although this is not an issue for the majority of tourists, those on a tight budget should be aware of the situation.
The amount of money that visitors must have in order to enter a nation varies from country to country. In Spain, a daily rate of €100 per day for the length of the visit is adequate. France has a greater minimum of €120, however the sum may be reduced to €65 if a passenger can present confirmation of pre-paid lodgings in the country.
The monetary requirement, also known as the means of subsistence requirement, is required in order to demonstrate that one is capable of supporting oneself without difficulty. There are various strategies for creating a means of sustenance, the most common of which are:
- Bank statements are a kind of financial statement.
- Cash and credit cards are accepted.
- Demonstration of employment
- Documentation demonstrating that you have paid for lodgings
- Payslips
Individual passengers may not be required to provide proof of their ability to support themselves, despite the fact that it is legally a requirement. Guards only ask for this kind of identification from a tiny number of tourists in order to maximize efficiency.
Visitors must, however, be prepared in case a border officer requests proof of their ability to provide for their own sustenance. When determining someone to question, guards chose persons at random from a pool of candidates.
In contrast to Spain, France does make an exception for tourists on a tight budget. Tourists may enter the nation with a daily allowance of €32.25 provided they can demonstrate that they would be staying in exceptionally low-cost facilities.
Visitors in other EU countries may also be required to provide proof of their ability to support themselves, however the criteria in these countries are typically not as stringent as those in France and Spain.