Have you ever been quizzed on your financial situation while heading through the airport? Ever had to show ‘proof of funds’ while anxiously awaiting boarding your flight?
It’s likely the answer is no, but now things might be about to change, as Europe’s new biometric border checks are set to come into force from tomorrow.
The Entry/Exit System (EES), due to be launched on October 12, will aim to make going through airport checks faster.
As part of the rules, some travellers may be asked to demonstrate sufficient financial means in order to enter the Schengen area.
The Schengen demand is: ‘Sufficient means of subsistence, both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to their country of origin or transit to a third country into which they are certain to be admitted, or are in a position to acquire such means lawfully.’
The basic principle is: ‘The assessment of sufficient means of subsistence may be based on the cash, travellers’ cheques and credit cards in the third-country national’s possession.’
Each of the 29 countries part of the new system – including 25 in the EU, plus Switzerland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Iceland – will set its own rules on what it deems as ‘sufficient’.
They may add extra conditions about accommodation – and even travel insurance.
The Entry/Exit System (EES), due to be launched on October 12, will aim to make going through airport checks faster
In reality, it is unlikely travellers from the UK will be questioned. These regulations were introduced for visitors from countries of widely different wealth levels, and are not generally applied to British arrivals, the Independent reported.
Once you are in the Schengen area, you should be able freely to move across borders, and need not follow each subsequent country’s rules.
Here’s a full rundown of the amounts each nation demands from third-country nationals, along with other requirements…
Latvia: €14 (£12)
You will also need ‘financial resources sufficient to pay for the planned accommodation and/or, if travelling with a private vehicle, financial resources sufficient to buy the fuel needed for the journey’.
Poland: €18 (£15.60)
Each day, you need 75 zloty (£15.60), with a minimum of 300 zloty (£61). This is reduced to 20 zloty (£4) and 100 zloty (£20) for certain visitors – for example participants in a tourist event, a youth camp or sports event.
Hungary: €25 (£21.65)
As part of the rules, some travellers may be asked to demonstrate sufficient financial means in order to enter the Schengen area
You’ll need 10,000 forints, in a form such as ‘confirmation of board and lodging reserved and paid in advance by means of a travel agency voucher’ or ‘any other credible proof’.
Sweden: €39 (£33.80)
Portugal: €40 (£34.65) with a €75 (£65) entry fee
Portuguese authorities add: ‘Aliens who are able to prove that their board and lodging are guaranteed for the duration of their stay may be exempt from paying the above amounts.’
Norway: €43 (£37.20)
‘The amounts deemed necessary are fixed individually and decisions are taken on a case-by-case basis,’ authorities say. ‘As an indication, an amount of NOK500 per day is deemed to be adequate for visitors who are not staying with relations or friends.’
Germany:€45 (£39)
Malta: €48 (£41.60)
French authorities say you must have an insurance certificate covering all medical and hospital expenses for which you may be liable for the duration of your stay in France
Lithuania and Romania: €50 (£43.30)
Denmark: €50 (£43.30)
Finland: €50 ‘approximately’ (£43.30)
Greece: €50 (£43.30) with a minimum of €300 (£260) for a stay of up to five days
Bulgaria: €50 (£43.30) with a minimum of €500 (£433) – and an extra €50 per day if you do not have a prepaid room
Italy: €54 (£47) with a minimum of €270 (£234)
The minimum for a single person is €270, which covers a stay of up to five days. For two or more people travelling together, the minimum falls to €213. For six to 10 days, the rate per day is €45 solo, or €26 in company.
Netherlands: €55 (£47.60)
You must have ‘a recent bank statement or an up-to-date bank book’ to visit Spain
Slovakia: €56 (£48.50)
This is divided into €30 for accommodation; €4 for breakfast; €7.50 for lunch; €7.50 for dinner; €7 for spending money.
Iceland: €56 (£48.50) with a minimum of €280 (£242)
France: €65 (£56)
This amount applies ‘in the case of presentation of a hotel booking’. If you cannot provide such evidence, the rate increases to €120 (£104). In addition, the French authorities say: ‘You must have an insurance certificate covering all medical and hospital expenses for which you may be liable for the duration of your stay in France, as well as medical repatriation costs and expenses in the event of death.’
Estonia, Slovenia and Croatia: €70 (£60.60)
In Croatia, the sum is reduced to €30 (£26) with ‘proof of a tourist booking’.
Luxembourg: €89 (£77)
You need at least €14 (£12) in order to visit Latvia, which is part of the new system
‘The reference amount required to travel to Luxembourg is that of the minimum wage for an unskilled worker calculated in proportion to the number of days of the planned stay,’ authorities say – which, according to the Independent, is approximately €89.
Belgium: €95 (£82.20)
‘If the alien is unable to furnish proof of any credit at all, he must have access to approximately €95 for each day of the planned stay. In most cases, the person concerned must in addition produce a travel ticket (airline ticket) enabling him to return to his country of origin or residence.’
Switzerland and Liechtenstein:€107 (£93)
Spain: €113.40 (£98) with a minimum of €1,020.60 9£884)
You must have ‘a recent bank statement or an up-to-date bank book’. The Spanish authorities add: ‘Internet bank statements are not acceptable.’
Austria: Non-specific
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