The UK government has issued a warning to British holidaymakers headed for Spain this summer to make sure they are fully up to date with Foreign Office travel advice. This comes after the popular holiday destination launched a crackdown on identity checks under Schengen and its own regulations.
Brits are being urged to carry photo ID at all times or risk fines, detention, or even refusal of entry to Spain. According to the government, UK tourists must provide photo ID if asked by a police officer, including the Guardia Civil and national, regional, and local police forces. Borders in the southern European country have become noticeably tighter and intra-city checks have been launched, with non-compliance threatening to derail and completely spoil Britons’ long-awaited summer holiday.
“The police have the right to hold you at a police station until they have confirmed your identity,” the UK government said.
“Ignoring direct requests of a police officer can be considered as ‘disobedience’, which is a criminal offence. Hotels, tourist accommodation and car rental companies have a legal duty to register passport and other details of tourists who check in or collect a vehicle.
The government advice adds that when checking into you accommodation, wait until hotel staff have registered your passport details or taken a copy of it.
“Do not leave your passport at reception to collect later. You may need to show ID when buying goods with credit or debit cards. Some shops will accept your driving licence or a copy of your passport, but some may ask for your passport.”
Photo ID and passport rules are not the only ones Brits will have to contend with this summer. A reminder has also been issued to those planning on driving in Spain as they could be slapped with hefty fines if they break current road rules, even if they do so unknowingly.
Visitors to cities like Barcelona, the capital of Madrid, or Seville have recently introduced new Low Emission Zones (ZBE) which are catching tourists off-guard and resulting in instant fines. These ZBEs have been introduced across the country to tackle pollution in busy urban centres. In fact, sunseekers have been issued €200 (£174) fines, just for entering the wrong part of town.
“It’s not a suggestion — it’s the law,” said motoring experts at Number 1 Plates. “And British drivers are just as likely to be fined as locals.”
