Travellers from non-EU countries may need to show significantly more cash at the Spanish border this summer. According to guidance updated on 3 July 2026, the Interior Ministry now pegs the daily subsistence amount at €121.10 and, crucially, sets a non-waivable minimum of €1,098.90 regardless of trip length.
![Rise in Spain’s minimum wage pushes proof-of-funds threshold for short-stay visitors above €1,098]()
For travellers looking for up-to-date guidance on Spain’s entry rules—including cash-proof thresholds, visa options and supporting documentation—VisaHQ maintains a dedicated Spain page with real-time requirements and an easy application portal. Their specialists can review your itinerary, advise on acceptable bank statements or card limits, and, where necessary, process short- or long-stay visas so you arrive fully compliant.
The figure reflects February’s 3.1 percent increase in the national minimum wage (SMI) to €1,221 per month and applies to anyone entering Spain for up to 90 days without a visa, including British, Moroccan and US tourists. The proof-of-funds rule—often enforced through spot checks by Policia Nacional officers at airports and land crossings—had previously allowed short-stay visitors to multiply the daily rate by the number of days planned. Under the new floor, a four-day business traveller could still be asked to show the full €1,098.90, typically via bank statements, credit-card limits or cash. Failure may lead to denial of entry. While the change is administrative, it has operational impact for global mobility programmes that bring non-EU staff to Spain for meetings or trainings of under two weeks. Travel policies should now instruct employees to carry either printed bank statements less than three days old or screenshots of online banking apps with visible account holder names and balances. Corporate cards whose limits easily exceed the threshold can also suffice if shown together with a recent statement of liability. Immigration lawyers expect the threshold to rise again if Spain enacts another SMI hike in early 2027. Companies running frequent short-term rotations may therefore consider applying for multi-year local work permits or the EU ICT Card to bypass tourist-funds checks altogether.
For travellers looking for up-to-date guidance on Spain’s entry rules—including cash-proof thresholds, visa options and supporting documentation—VisaHQ maintains a dedicated Spain page with real-time requirements and an easy application portal. Their specialists can review your itinerary, advise on acceptable bank statements or card limits, and, where necessary, process short- or long-stay visas so you arrive fully compliant.
The figure reflects February’s 3.1 percent increase in the national minimum wage (SMI) to €1,221 per month and applies to anyone entering Spain for up to 90 days without a visa, including British, Moroccan and US tourists. The proof-of-funds rule—often enforced through spot checks by Policia Nacional officers at airports and land crossings—had previously allowed short-stay visitors to multiply the daily rate by the number of days planned. Under the new floor, a four-day business traveller could still be asked to show the full €1,098.90, typically via bank statements, credit-card limits or cash. Failure may lead to denial of entry. While the change is administrative, it has operational impact for global mobility programmes that bring non-EU staff to Spain for meetings or trainings of under two weeks. Travel policies should now instruct employees to carry either printed bank statements less than three days old or screenshots of online banking apps with visible account holder names and balances. Corporate cards whose limits easily exceed the threshold can also suffice if shown together with a recent statement of liability. Immigration lawyers expect the threshold to rise again if Spain enacts another SMI hike in early 2027. Companies running frequent short-term rotations may therefore consider applying for multi-year local work permits or the EU ICT Card to bypass tourist-funds checks altogether.
