LET’S be crystal clear. There is NO Spanish tourist ban.
Despite the fear-mongering headlines, there is not, and will never be, a ban on tourists.
Brits should ignore the fear-mongering of a Spain tourist ban as it is just not true[/caption]
The restriction is on holiday lets – so you can easily stay in other hotels[/caption]
To say otherwise is just total nonsense.
Last year, Spain welcomed more than 94million holidaymakers – bringing in an astonishing £106billion in revenue. Tourism generates more than 13percent of Spain’s GDP.
But with this booming industry, of course, comes issues.
The last few years has seen protests across mainland Spain, the Balearic and Canary Islands as locals frustrated by the lack of affordable housing take action.
In Barcelona, furious city dwellers fired water pistols at tourists eating in restaurants.
In Majorca, they posted fake closure signs on beaches and in Tenerife protestors chanted ‘This beach is ours’ as Brits sunbathed nearby.
The root of the issue is the lack of housing.
Protestors are furious at the huge increase in short term rentals like Airbnb, saying they are robbing residents of affordable properties.
In a bid to placate Spanish citizens, authorities are fighting back.
Malaga has introduced a new law this month, preventing the registration of any more new holiday rentals for the next three years across 43 districts in the city and across the Costa del Sol.
It follows similar legislation in Alicante and Madrid.
Putting the brakes on yet more apartments being turned into short term rental holiday properties is hoped to give locals a better chance of finding long term lets.
So the ‘ban’ is just that – no more holiday lets can be registered. Holidaymakers can continue to visit hotels, Airbnbs and other holiday accommodation such as villas as normal.
The ban will impact a small number of holiday rentals registered since February 2022 that share access and resources with permanent residents.
So this summer, we will continue to be able to enjoy the fascinating cities and golden beaches of Spain as normal.
While this is not a tourist ban, it could make it more expensive for tourists, due to a reduced number of accommodation options.
Barcelona is to introduce the strictest rule, with holiday flats completely banned.
Everything you need to know about visiting Spain
- Brits must have at least three months left on their passport from the day they plan to leave the country.
- Tourists do not need a visa if visiting for up to 90 days in an 180-day period.
- Make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.
- Travellers may be asked to show hotel booking confirmations and that they have enough money for their stay at the border.
- Spain is one hour ahead of the UK.
- The country uses the euro with around €10 working out to £8.55.
- Flights to Spain from the UK take between 2-4 hours depending on the destination.
With more than 10,100 in the city, the full ban hopes to be in place by 2029.
The Spanish islands could also follow suit in the upcoming months.
Brits will instead have to stay at registered properties such as B&Bs and hotels.
We’ve rounded up some of the best Spanish hotels, including one that feels “more like Thailand”.
A hotel in Huelva was named the best all-inclusive resort in Spain last year, while this one has Maldives-style overwater rooms.
Here are some other Spain rules Brits need to know about as well, including additional personal information needed when checking into hotels, dress codes and smoking bans.
Spain will continue welcoming Brits this summer[/caption]
