A number of Brits have been turned away at the border between Spain and Gibraltar, after new rules came into effect. Until a few weeks ago, travellers, including Brits, were allowed to enter the country from the British Overseas Territory with just their passports - permitting the documents are valid.

However, if you’re planning on making a trip across the border, travellers now require additional documentation. As Spain is a part of the Schengen area, Brits will be able to travel in these areas for up to 90 days in a 180 day period without a visa as a tourist.

If you plan on travelling into Spain from Gibraltar, which is not in the Schengen area, as a tourist, you may need to provide additional documentation at the border, according to Gov.uk . Travellers may have to show a valid return or onward ticket when travelling to Spain, as well as:

  • proof you have enough money for your stay
  • proof of accommodation for your stay, for example:
  • a hotel booking confirmation
  • proof of address if visiting your own property (such as second home)
  • an invitation or proof of address if staying with a third party, friends or family. A carta de invitation completed by your hosts is one of the options available.

Ed Byard, who was travelling in Gibraltar, planned to visit Spain for a dinner reservation. He, and a number of his colleagues, were turned away at the border. He wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter : “Deleted *that* post because people were incorrectly suggesting I didn't take the correct documents. I/we did. The issue was (and at the time of writing, still is) no published guidance (FCO or elsewhere) for short term visits, which until a month ago were not an issue.

“Although you of course need a passport, until a few weeks ago you did not need any form of proof of return travel or accommodation. Both of which we had, and showed. We aren't the only ones affected - people going to Gib and going to Spain for a golfing trip etc aren't allowed.

“After talking to a mate in Gib a few mins ago, he said that *sometimes* the border guards will accept a restaurant booking as proof and let you in! So totally arbitrary, as we suspected.”

For the latest travel guidance and entry requirements to Spain and to Gibraltar , as well as travel between the two, visit here.