France travel warning as Brits may need to pay extra fees on holidays
Holidaymakers to France and their hosts have to jump through a number of hoops or else risk breaking the law when staying with friends or family.
The UK Foreign Office lays out the slightly complex process British travellers to the Gallic country have to navigate which are notably different from those of other European nations.
Although UK passport holders do not need a visa to visit France - at least until a much delayed EU wide electronic visa scheme comes into force - there is paperwork which must be done.
You may need to show proof of where you intend to stay, with the exact papers required differing from region to region. You can find documents you may need for short stays on the French government website. "You may be asked to provide an ‘attestation d’accueil’ (welcome invitation) from your host," the UK Foreign Office warns.
It's not all fun, games and pastries in France (Getty Images)"The French resident hosting you must get the ‘attestation d’accueil’ from their local mayor’s office, and send the original ‘attestation’ before you enter France." Unlike in Spain - which has similar requirements - it is not clear if there is the prospect of a fine if you fail to produce the documents when asked. However, the certificate does cost €30 (£25.70).
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Visitors must also be prepared to show proof that they have at least €32.50 (£27.80) a day for the duration of their stay. The French authorities may also ask to see proof of ownership or tenancy of a property, such as a tax or utility bill, if you are lucky enough to own a place in the country. For a full, comprehensive guide of how to apply and obtain the attestation d’accueil, Service Public France has a step-by-step rundown.
Since the UK left the European Union, those who don't hold an EU passport now have to carry proof they have accommodation for the whole of their stay when on holiday as a tourist for 90 days or fewer in Spain as well as France.
This is easier enough to do if you have a bed in a hotel or hostel as most will be happy to provide you with such proof with little hassle. However, it can be a bit trickier to arrange - but no less important - if you're staying at a friend's house.
If you fail to get the right paperwork when entering Spain you may end up facing a fine. You won't need the letter until you reach customs in Spain, by which point it may become quite difficult to arrange.
If you can't show where you're staying when you arrive, you might have to pay a fine and so may your guests, with reports that these can be up to £8,000. Also similarly to France, Spanish officials have been carrying out spot checks where tourists are asked to prove that they have sufficient financial means for the duration of their trip. Although it doesn't happen often, it does occasionally.
Spain defines ‘sufficient financial means’ as access to €109 (£93) per person per day - so for a family of five they need to show they have €545 per day or €7,630 for a two-week holiday in Spain. Manuel Butler, the Spanish Tourist Office director (UK), previously said: "The requirement for UK travellers to be able to illustrate sufficient means for the duration of their stay and the return is established in the Schengen Borders Code and is not a Spain-specific requirement."
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