might be old news for some as implementation is indefinately delayed. EU Entry/Exit System Launch Delayed Again (etias.com)
What hasn’t changed, is the implementation of a Royal Decree across Spain during November/December, which affects all forms of tourist accommodation. I understand the decree was originally aimed at getting to grips with the grey economy (Airbnb, internet based rentals) rather than established hotels but all accommodation providers are required to collect and store, customers’ personal and financial details for (I think) 3 years, including bank and credit card details. The biggest concern from within the industry is there is no infrastructure in place to securely store the personal data, nor does there appear to be any restrictions on the Spanish government accessing the information, in the name of anti terrorism and money laundering. Given the reported financial penalties for non compliance, I can see a lot of small enterprises folding. Andy
On our frequent trips to France, border staff are checking dates in the country much more carefully now when you have more than a few stamps in your passport. The Visa will be the more interesting one as there is no guarantee of being given a visa and if the request is from someone with a past history of misbehaviour I can foresee that some will be refused a visa.
Left France this September at Caen having arrived at Santander in Spain, 10 days earlier. French immigration struggled to find my (Spanish) entry stamp and was getting very frustrated until he finally found it on a pristine page further in the body of my passport, several pages away from where all the other stamps were. This last trip, arrival and departure went pretty seamless. Last year, Customs wanted to see my bag of clean clothes on the way out and my bag of dirty washing on the way back. My tyre repair kit with multitool caused a fair bit of concern with UK Customs but it had no blade so got through. Forgot to mention the razor blade in my shaving kit Andy
