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Crossing the border
Crossing the border
Arriving on tuesday and thinking of taking a trip to Spain in the hire car. Could someone tell us if there are any border restrictions ie will we need to take our passports or is it a case of just driving across?
There are normally no border controls, unless the Spanish police decide to park the other side of the bridge one day (quite rare but did see them once). But you need to carry your passport, as you are entering another country. In fact, you should carry your passport with you at all times as a form of ID. Most European citizens have ID cards, but as UK citizens currently don't, you need some form of ID on you.
You also need to tell your hire car company on arrival that you plan to do this, as you need to pay an extra fee on top of the normal insurance to drive in Spain.
You also need to tell your hire car company on arrival that you plan to do this, as you need to pay an extra fee on top of the normal insurance to drive in Spain.
Friends of ours ( resident in the algarve in a Portuguese reg car )were stopped by the Police recently nr Albufeira and in addition to car documents had to produce their passports.
Whether it is a legal stipulation or not I would suggest to anyone on holiday that when driving they have their passprt , driving liscence and car hire documents with them.
Whether it is a legal stipulation or not I would suggest to anyone on holiday that when driving they have their passprt , driving liscence and car hire documents with them.
Hi mollo
We have never seen any signs of border controls when crossing into Spain over the bridge; although we do always carry passports etc just in case. As Bruxinha says it is important to let the car hire company know you intend to cross into Spain. Major international rental companies such as Avis do not require an additional premium but local companies do.
But why the bridge?? If you have time drive into Vila Real and use the ferry. You may have to wait half an hour, it may cost a few euros and it only carries a few vehicles but is worth it.
We have never seen any signs of border controls when crossing into Spain over the bridge; although we do always carry passports etc just in case. As Bruxinha says it is important to let the car hire company know you intend to cross into Spain. Major international rental companies such as Avis do not require an additional premium but local companies do.
But why the bridge?? If you have time drive into Vila Real and use the ferry. You may have to wait half an hour, it may cost a few euros and it only carries a few vehicles but is worth it.