How important is it to get your UK passport stamped when you’re going to Spain? Let’s find out from Skatz & Walter Ego.

Prefer to watch the video? Click HERE.

For the conversational facts, carry on reading…

Skatz: This blog is especially for two groups of people.

Walter: I’m two groups of people!

S: Ignore the voices Walter. The first group is holidaymakers.

S: If you’re a UK passport holder on holiday you should make sure you get your passport stamped when you go into Spain and when you come back from Spain.

W: Why?

S: Because it shows that you’re not overstaying.

W: Overstaying what?

S: As a non-EU citizen, you can only go into Spain for 90 out of a rolling period of 180 days.

W: What?!

S: That needs a bit of explaining, so I made a separate video about it, here’s the link

W: Alright, carry on

S: If you don’t get the stamp you might need to have some evidence of when you travelled in and out of Spain.

W: What if I drive down through France?

S: Then you’ll get your passport stamped when you get to France, because that’s in the Schengen Area.

W: The Sponging what?

S: Watch the 90/180 video above, it explains everything…

W: Everything?

S: …everything that you need to know about the Schengen Area

W: Okay

S: Right so that’s the first group of people, the holidaymakers. The second group of people who need their passport stamped is those who have got themselves a Spanish Residency Visa like the Non Lucrative Visa.

W: I want to retire to Spain!

S: Then this is for you.

W: I’m all ears

S: I can see that. 

W: Cheeky!

S: So, you’ve done all of the hard work of getting your visa from the Spanish Embassy in the UK, you’ve sorted out your travel arrangements, you want to make sure you don’t get stuck at the next stage of the process.

W: I don’t want to get stuck!

S: That’s the last thing you want. Because when you go to apply for your TIE card from the Foreigner’s Office of the National Police in the area you’re moving to, you’ll need proof of when you entered the country, and the passport stamp is that proof.

W: Oh I see. So what happens if I don’t get the stamp? 

S: Well, that can quite easily happen if you’re rushed through the airport, or they’re using an electronic system, or you landed in Portugal or France and drove on from there, or if you’re doing the whole journey over land because you’re carrying pets for example you might only have a stamp from France or Belgium depending on which ferry route you take.

W: How do I prove it then?

S: At the TIE appointment they need proof on paper and it can depend on who’s on the desk at the Foreigners Office on the day and what they accept, and if your Spanish isn’t very good it’s not easy for you to argue the point.

W: Give me some examples, I need examples!

S: Try to make sure you keep things like flight tickets, boarding cards, booking receipts for hotels, bank statements showing expenses on the journey, and official facturas for fuel

W: What’s a factura?

S: It’s like a receipt but more official, you’ll need to ask for it when you pay, it’s got more details on it like your name and vehicle registration. In some extreme cases, the extranjerias could also ask you to sign a declaration to go along with the proof.

W: Sounds like I might get refused my residency!

S: It’s possible, but if you have somebody to help you with a very good track record of getting TIE cards, then you’ll be safe.

W: Who’s the somebody?

S: Well, in my opinion, you can’t do better than Chris from Upsticks. He’s never been refused a TIE card because of a missing passport stamp.

W: How do I get in touch with him?

S: Have a look at our Partner page HERE and click on his picture.

W: Is he your friend then?

S: He is, he’s a good bloke, he sorted out residency for me and Liz and he’s a regular guest when I do live shows every Saturday here on YouTooSpain!

W: Can I come on the show?

S: You can join in with the live chat and ask questions.

W: That’s exciting!

S: It is, I’m surprised you’ve not been on there already, you look familiar.

W: I think I’ve got a doppelgänger!

S: I think you have.

W: I like this blog.

S: Then why not join our mailing list to get our monthly newsletter

W: Right-E O!

S: Will I see you in the next blog?

W: Maybe, I might be busy

S: You’ll be here, peace and love!

W: Hippie!

S: You love me really

W: Shut it!

S: See you soon, bye

W: Bye

S: Let’s dance!

Article by Skatz & Walter Ego