The Foreign Office has issued advice to British tourists with holidays booked to Spain this summer. The passport warning was added to the Foreign Office’s ‘safety and security’ advice on Friday.
Spain is the UK’s favourite holiday destination and attracts more than 15 million sun-seeking Brits each year. Travellers are drawn to the country by its sandy beaches, good weather, rich culture and vibrant nightlife, but summer holiday plans can quickly fall apart if you don’t have the right travel documents.
The UK Foreign Office has urged holidaymakers to ‘take care of their passports’, particularly when collecting or checking in luggage at the airport and while arranging car hire. Thieves are known to use distraction techniques and often work in teams in areas where tourists gather.
READ MORE: UK tourists in Spain without key document told ‘expect delays at airport’
In an update issued on May 17, the Foreign Office said: “If your passport is lost or stolen, you must renew your passport or apply for an emergency travel document. You cannot use a police report to leave Spain.”
An emergency travel document lets tourists travel back to the UK in urgent circumstances, such as when a passport has been lost. It is usually only valid for one single or return journey. Holidaymakers will need to explain and provide evidence to show why the journey is urgent and essential and applications are then assessed on a case by case basis.
The Foreign Office shared advice for all tourists visiting Spain: “Do not carry all your valuables in one place. Keep a copy of the photo page of your passport somewhere safe.”
To help keep passports safe, travellers are advised not to leave their passport at their hotel’s reception desk to collect later when checking in. Instead, wait until hotel staff have registered your passport details or taken a copy.
Spain has strict entry rules for non-EU visitors including those from Britain since Brexit. It must have a date of issue less than ten years before the date you arrive in Spain and have an expiry date at least three months after the date you plan to leave.
The Foreign Office states: “You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.”
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