algarve to spain

[yizzy]

Hi Going to montegordo in algarve It only 4klm from spain how easy is it to visit spain and will I need my passport? Thanks for any info you can give me

[sandyRoe]

If it's only 4 km you could walk it. You won't need the passport.

[yizzy]

Thanks Sandy, was wondering that myself about walking. I walk a lot at home but wasnt sure about crossing over into portugal ect

[Buenchico]

Spain and Portugal are both within the Schengen zone. Nobody (irrespective of their nationality) ever requires a passport when travelling between two 'Schengen' countries. So you can travel between Spain and Portugal (or between Latvia and Italy, or between Hungary and France, or . . . etc, etc) with no travel documentation whatsoever (other than as may be required by airlines or ferry companies for their own security purposes).

It has always been a principle of the European Union that there should be free movement between all member countries (with no checks whatsoever). The ONLY country which refuses to join into the agreement is the UK (with Ireland also being forced to stay outside of the 'free movement' arrangements because of its existing 'open border' policy with the UK).

Anywhere else in the EU people would fall about laughing at the idea that you'd require a passport to travel between two member states. (It's akin to suggesting that you need a passport to travel between England and Wales!).

Chris

[owdhamer]

Do Austria and Germany have something similar chris

[Mosaic]

Owdhammer, I travelled by train from Paris to Vienna without showing my passport.

[boxtops]

This should explain it for your visit http://www.mediavisa.net/schengen-area.php

[owdhamer]

Do the Germans need a passport to visit Spain?

[Zacs-Master]

You're just being silly now.

[owdhamer]

Now its a lot clearer, i had no idea it was so easy, but we are asked to produce a passport for domestic flights

[Nibble]

Because the UK is not a signatory to the Schengen Agreement.

[owdhamer]

Ignorant zac, i have travelled to the usa, far east, middle east, and most of europe, and always needed a passport

[New Judge]

I stayed in Montegordo (Hotel dos Navigadores) many years ago, long before Spain or Portugal were EU members and just before the UK was unfortunately allowed to join. We cycled along to Villa Real de Santo Antonio and took the ferry across to Ayamonte in Spain. We had to take passports and the Spanish would not accept Portuguese Escudos so we had to change some into Pesetas (at a terrible rate) get a beer!

Ayamonte is a very nice medieval town, worth a visit. Although there is now a road bridge across the Guadiana River I believe the ferry still operates.

Happy Days !!

[jomifl]

You can travel from France to Italy through Switzerland (which is not in the EU) without a passort.

[Buenchico]

As Jomifl indicates, the Schengen area now includes those EEA countries which are outside the EU (such as Switzerland).

On this map, dark blue countries are those within the EU and Schengen. Light blue countries aren't in the EU, but within Schengen. The yellow countries are set to fully join Schengen in the near future:
http://upload.wikimed..._Labelled_Map.svg.png

[malagabob]

Most of the answers seem to think that yizzy will walk into Spain. In the event he/she is driving a car its required for the driver to carry a passport driving licence hire contract if hiring the vehicle in case of accidents/spot checks/speeding etc. And if hiring in Portugal, a permit at itme of hiring to take the car across border.

[jrtv]

You can catch the bus or walk it if you head for Vila Real, about 3 kms and next to the Rio Guadiana, this river divides the Algarve and Spain, here you jump onto the ferry that goes across to Ayamonte, Spain, it's 2-50 euro and takes about 20 mins, when you arrive in Spain there is a 1 hour time difference, it's cheap and easy and a great day out and no passport needed.

[joggerjayne]

There's a bridge.

For the first few years it was there, they used to have a border checkpoint, where you had to show your passport and car insurance stuff.

The bridge hasn't been manned for at least ten years, so from Montegordo you drive up to the Via Infante, and straight into Spain. It's very easy.

[jrtv]

joggerjayne what does she need a car for, she is stopping in Montegordo, only 3 kms away, use the local bus and ferry and save a lot of euro's not hiring a car and the trouble of parking in Ayamonte, Spain.

[joggerjayne]

I've never tried the local bus.

I've done it on a motorbike.

[MattM]

The main motorway to Spain from Portugal is now a toll road with a complex payment collection system, so I would go to Villa Real and leave the car there andthen get the ferry over to Ayamonte