travel to spain by car from uk

Driving to Spain from UK: Best Routes & Driving Tips

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The Best Routes to Spain from the United Kingdom

Are you desperate for some Spanish sun but don’t want to fly? With great routes across Europe, it’s easy to drive to Spain from UK by car, arriving refreshed and unstressed from the comfort of your own vehicle.

As Brits travelling in Europe, we’ve driven to Spain numerous times; in a car, motorhome and on a motorbike. We’re sharing the best routes with costs and comparisons plus tips about driving once you’re there. Our Spain from UK guide will help you decide which is the best route for your driving trip to Spain, so you can get there relaxed and ready to go!

Summary of the best routes to Spain from UK

• The quickest route is Calais – Rouen – Le Mans – Tours – Bordeaux – Irun
• The most scenic route is Calais – Paris – Orleans – Clermont-Ferrand – Millau – Beziers – Perpignan – Barcelona
• The cheapest route is Calais – Rouen – Chartres – Poitiers – Angouleme – Bordeaux – Irun . Don’t forget to set your sat nav to avoid tolls .
• The alternative route is Calais – Rouen – Le Mans – Tours – Bordeaux – Somport Tunnel – Zaragoza
• The ferry route is Portsmouth – Santander Book it here!

Crossing the Channel

Eurotunnel le shuttle.

The fastest channel crossing route is using the  Eurotunnel Le Shuttle  from Folkstone to Calais. The crossing under the channel takes 35 minutes, and with a slick check-in and loading/unloading process, you can be in France proper in an hour.

This crossing is ideal if you are driving to Spain from UK with a dog or just want to get to the other side as quickly as possible. 

Dover to Calais

The quickest way by ferry is undoubtedly the Dover-Calais route, on which both P&O and DFDS operate up to 40 crossings between them a day in July and August. Taking just an hour and a half, you’ll have time on board for a meal or drink and perhaps a quick snooze.

Getting on and off can take a while though, as they have to piece all the vehicles together like a jigsaw puzzle.  Not as quick as the shuttle, but very possibly a bit cheaper, especially if you can be flexible with crossing times.

Portsmouth to Caen / Cherbourg

More expensive and quite a bit longer than the Dover-Calais route, the Brittany Ferries crossings from Portsmouth may prove to be cost-effective in fuel and toll costs if you don’t live in the southeast of England.

The Caen route operates three crossings a day, one of them overnight, meaning you’ll arrive in France refreshed (but will have to book a cabin or reclining seat) and ready for a full day’s driving.

The Cherbourg route crosses at least 12 times a week and uses a fast catamaran service, taking just three hours port to port.  

Other Popular Crossings

There are a handful of other routes out of Newhaven, Folkestone and Poole which are also worth exploring. You could also consider sailing to Le Havre or St Malo from Portsmouth or Dunkirk from Dover.

The key here is to be flexible with dates and times to get the best deals…this is where you may just find a bargain.

England to Spain

One of the simplest ways of getting to Spain is to miss France altogether and get a ferry crossing to Spain from UK, sailing from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander or Bilbao in northern Spain.

The catch is that the UK to Spain ferry crossings take a long 33 hours and you’ll need to spend a night (or two in winter) onboard. The boat gets booked up quickly and can be expensive, even taking into account the costs of tolls and fuel prices in France.

The long journey is also notoriously rough in the winter months, so you may want to find ways of avoiding seasickness if you choose this route!

However, if you don’t enjoy driving in Europe , have a pet with you or just want to take things a little more slowly, then taking a boat from UK to Spain may well be the best option.

Is this your first time visiting France and Spain? Get all the information you need in our France Travel Guide and Spain Travel Guide including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

The Best Routes Through France to Spain

Uk to spain driving routes map.

The Quickest Route

All routes assume travel from Calais to Spain in a 2.5l diesel car. Costs updated November 2023. Find your car’s toll costs and fuel consumption  here .

Calais – Rouen – Le Mans – Tours – Bordeaux – Irun

• Distance: 1059km
• Driving Time: 10 hours 40 minutes
• Toll Costs: €94
• Fuel Costs: €113

Whether you cross into Calais, Caen or Cherbourg, the quickest road to Spain is down the western side of the country via the A28 and A10. You’ll miss the major high ground in the middle of France and be able to travel on autoroutes pretty much all the way.  

From Calais, head for Rouen, then Le Mans, Tour, Bordeaux and down to the border at Irun. For those arriving in Caen or Cherbourg, head for Le Mans and pick up the remainder of the route there.  

You could barrel all the way down to the Spanish border in a day if you were sharing the driving, but we would suggest an overnight stay in Tours if coming from Calais before a second stop in San Sebastian in Spain. If coming from Caen or Cherbourg, Bordeaux makes a perfect stopover. If coming from Caen or Cherbourg, Bordeaux makes a perfect stopover.

Be aware that if you take the route shown on our Google Map, you will need a Crit’ Air sticker, as the whole of Rouen is covered by a low-emission zone. There are also several low underpasses on the route which will decapitate a motorhome or car with bikes on the roof. You can avoid these by taking the street-level side road next to them, just be aware!

RELATED POST: 19 Helpful Long Distance Driving Tips

Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when visiting France and Spain . We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices, and excellent service.

The Most Scenic Route

Calais – paris – orleans – clermont-ferrand – millau – beziers – perpignan – barcelona.

• Distance: 1321km
• Driving Time: 12 hours 40 minutes
• Toll Costs: €91
• Fuel Costs: €142

Driving from UK to Spain by car doesn’t have to be boring. This great route will take you through some of France’s most spectacular scenery and across the Massif Central via the A71 and A75 roads.

From all the ports, head for the Paris ring road and follow your sat nav judiciously…you really don’t want to end up in inner-city Paris! Perhaps stop off, find a good hotel and take in one of the most beautiful cities in the world before heading south.

Next up is Orleans on the banks of the Loire River and home to Joan of Arc. From here, head south Clermond-Ferrand, surrounded by dramatic extinct volcanoes and authentic French countryside villages, perfect for a few days hiking before you hit the road again.

Make for Millau and cross the highest road bridge in the world en route, the incredible Millau Viaduct. 

Your next stop is Beziers, home to the Canal Du Midi and its’ famous nine locks. This often-overlooked city makes a great pit stop.

Finally, you’ll reach pretty Perpignan where you can enjoy the last of France before crossing the border into the north of Spain and driving to  Barcelona, the perfect city in which to stop for a day. 

You will be able to find great hotels in all these destinations, allowing you to enjoy a slower pace and see some  off-the-beaten-track France . 

Perhaps take the scenic route to Spain and take the fast route for the return journey, when you’ll be looking forward to getting home.

The Cheapest Route

Calais – rouen – chartres – poitiers – angouleme – bordeaux – irun.

• Distance: 1060km
• Driving Time: 15 hours 10 minutes
• Toll Costs: €0
• Fuel Costs: €122

Driving to Spain from UK avoiding tolls is very possible. You will still travel down the western side of the country, with the route relying heavily on the A28, N10 and A63 toll free roads. Make sure to set your sat nav to avoid tolls .

Although this is a good route for those travelling on a budget, not all stretches are dual carriageways and you risk slow-moving vehicles, and traffic jams, especially on the approach to larger cities. This choice of route is likely to take longer than the stated 15 hours.

Be aware that if you take the route shown on our Google Map, you will need a Crit’ Air sticker , as the whole of Rouen is covered by a low-emission zone. There are also several low underpasses on the route which will decapitate a motorhome or car with bikes on the roof. You can avoid these by taking the street-level side road next to them, just be aware!

RELATED POST: Road Trip on a Budget: 36 Tips to Save Money in Europe

The Alternative Route

Calais – Rouen – Le Mans – Tours – Bordeaux – Somport Tunnel – Zaragoza

• Distance: 1261km
• Driving Time: 17 hours 30 minutes
• Fuel Costs: €145

Using the fast A28, N10 routes south before veering east at Bayonne for the Túnel de Somport cuts out the border at Irun and the long drive down to Zaragoza. This alternative route works well if you’re heading for Spain’s east coast, the capital city of Madrid or the south of Spain.

Unbelievably, the 5.3km of the tunnel is toll free, although this route can be affected by bad weather in winter and carrying snow chains is a must.

Looking for the best SIM card deals in Europe for your trip? Check out our guide to the best data SIMs in Europe and get the best deal for your trip to France and Spain.

Visiting France & Spain

Thankfully, there are some common laws and regulations across most European countries for visitors from the UK and elsewhere. Make sure to carry the correct documentation and understand EU driving rules.

• You must have at least three months remaining on your passport (issued in the past ten years) at your intended date of departure.
• You must have at least 3rd party insurance for your vehicle. Update August 2021 – you no longer require a green card to prove you have vehicle insurance cover when travelling in Europe.
• From 28th September 2021, you will have to display a UK sticker on the rear of your vehicle, instead of a GB sticker, unless you have a new style UK numberplate which displays the Union Jack flag.
• You must have a valid UK licence. This allows you to drive in all EU countries for up to six months. If you only have a paper driving licence or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man then you will need an  International Driving Permit .
• Headlight beam converters must be in use unless you can adjust your headlights automatically.
• Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers in all the countries of the EU.
• It is illegal in all countries of the EU to use a mobile phone when driving. In addition, in France, you are not even allowed to use a mobile phone using a hands-free device, which you are permitted to do in Spain and the UK. On the spot fines are applicable in all countries if you are caught using a phone at the wheel.
• Every EU country apart from Ireland  drives on the right-hand side of the road. This means that when you’re at a junction or roundabout, the vehicle approaching from the right has priority over the one coming from the left unless other signage is in place.
• Both France and Spain are members of the Schengen Area, meaning borders between both countries are open. However, you may find that random roadside checks are in place at border crossings due to the number of undocumented migrants travelling through Europe. Make sure to have your passports to hand when approaching country borders.
• If you have an accident you’ll need to complete the EU Accident Statement, which you can find to download in English in our free resource library if your insurer hasn’t provided one. Stop safely and use your hazard lights and warning triangle to alert other drivers. Exchange details (a  translate app  comes in handy here) and take lots of photos to add to your form when you submit it to the insurers. If the other party won’t give details or there has been an injury, you should call the police on 112.

RELATED POST: Driving in Europe – Everything You Need to Know

Driving in France

Driving from UK to France and through the country is easy, with well-maintained roads and generally considerate and well-mannered drivers.

On the downside, France is one of the most expensive countries in which to drive and travel in Europe due to the high fuel costs and expensive tolls, especially if you’re travelling in a larger vehicle like a motorhome .

There are also regular disruptions and fuel blockades due to political tensions, so make sure you check the current situation when you leave home. 

Follow these tips for a safe and easy transit through France on your road trip to Spain from England.

• In recent years there has been a significant increase in speeding fines issued by French authorities to British citizens. Many get home from a holiday or road trip to a nasty surprise in the post. Be aware and stick to the speed limit when driving in France.
• You must carry at least one reflective jacket within the passenger compartment of your vehicle and must put it on before you get out in an emergency or breakdown situation You must also carry a warning triangle.
• France has very strict drink driving laws compared to the UK. The UK maximum legal limit is 0.8 mg/ml and the French maximum is 0.5 mg/ml of alcohol per litre in your blood. If you are tested and found to be over the limit, you may face up to 4,500 euro fine and have to appear in court, and possibly even be given a prison sentence.
• From 1st January 2021, all vehicles over 3,500kg are required to display infographic ‘angles morts’ or  blind spot stickers . Stickers must be visible on both sides and at the back of the vehicle and must be placed between 0.90m and 1.50m above the ground. Stickers must be placed in such a way that they don’t cover the vehicle’s regulatory plates and inscriptions, or any of the lights or signals, and don’t hinder the driver’s field of view. Find out more about motorhome driving in France here .
• As of January 2013 the French government announced that the introduction of an €11 fine for not carrying a breathalyser/alcohol test had been postponed indefinitely. However, the law still states that drivers must have an alcotest ready for use in their vehicle even though no penalty will be imposed if they cannot present one during a police road check.

Mountain Law in France

On 1 November 2021 the Loi Montage II or ‘mountain law II’ came into force in 48 French mountainous departments within the Alpes, Massif Central, Jura, Pyrenees, and Vosges regions.

Anyone travelling in a vehicle through one of these areas between 1 November and 31 March will be obliged to fit four approved winter tyres or carry at least two snow chains or socks in the vehicle. You can find out more about France’s mountain law here .

Motorway Breakdowns in France

French motorways are privately managed and you’re not allowed to request your own assistance company to attend to you if you break down.

If you do break down, you should use the orange emergency telephones that are situated every 2km along French motorways to call the police or the official breakdown service operating in that area. Alternatively, if no orange telephone is available, you should call the emergency services by dialling 112.

You will be towed to a safe designated area where you can make onward arrangements for your own breakdown insurer to assist if you have it. Otherwise, the towing company will be able to provide support or signpost you.

Charges for assistance on a motorway are fixed by the government and are reviewed and revised each year. Many of the government-appointed towing services allow large insurers to pay them directly, but this is at their discretion and will depend on who your European breakdown cover is with. 

If this is not the case, you should pay directly and then seek recompense from your insurer.

Motorway Tolls in France

Driving through France can be hideously expensive if you only use toll roads, but they do allow you to travel through the country to your destination quickly. 

You may want to consider carrying an electronic toll tag, like EMovis or Bip&Drive (both of which cover you in Spain and Portugal as well as France) that deducts the fees from a credit card automatically, meaning you don’t have to stop at a booth or barrier.

Crit’Air Vignettes

France has introduced ‘clean air’ windscreen stickers as a legal requirement in many of its cities, towns and their peripheries, to identify a vehicle’s emissions levels and to restrict access in order to improve air quality. 

This six-category sticker system is designed to identify what emissions vehicles produce, and are categorised based on your vehicle’s Euro emissions standard. These are known as Crit’Air stickers and you may need one for your vehicle, depending on where you visit or stop as you transit through.

If you intend to travel close to a city or use its ring road, it’s worth getting the sticker, which costs €4.61 from the official website. The transitional period during which violations will not be fined ends on 31st December 2023. Find out more and purchase Crit’Air stickers from the official certificat-air.gouv.fr website.  

Don’t forget your road trip essentials! Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks , podcasts , and road trip songs for the journey!

Onward Travel in Spain

You’ve arrived! Spanish motorways and roads are typically well-maintained, and the drivers are considerate and relaxed.

Some of the best roads in Spain are in the interior, where you will have long stretches of sweeping Autopista (motorway) and Autovía (dual carriageway) to yourself. The trade-off is the Costas where traffic ramps up and tailbacks are frequent.

Depending on where you are heading, you’ll find a good network of Autopistas, with the AP7 from Barcelona enabling driving through Spain from north to south before heading west to Malaga, one of the warmest places in winter in Europe . From this road, you can head inland to Madrid or across to Portugal.

Alternatively, take one of the western routes from Irun or Santander and explore beautiful green Spain before dropping down into Portugal.

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Driving in spain.

Follow our guide for safe driving in Spain and enjoy your holiday!

• You must carry two warning triangles for the front and rear. These warning triangles are now being phased out and from 1st July 2021, a new law requires that a V16 flashing emergency light is used, although both means of advising other traffic will be legal until the end of 2024.
• You must also carry reflective jackets for the driver and all passengers, a spare wheel and the tools to change a wheel or a tyre repair kit.  
• You must carry a spare pair of spectacles if you wear glasses.
• The use of winter tyres in Spain is regional. Look out for traffic signs indicating that winter tyres or snow chains are compulsory where you are.
• Anything with a screen (television, video, DVD etc.) which could distract you when driving should be positioned where you can’t see it. This doesn’t apply to a sat nav but you must not touch or program your sat nav unless parked in a safe place.
• Using radar detection equipment is prohibited under Spanish law and new regulations from January 2021 mean that it will also be illegal to be in possession of such equipment.
• On roads with single carriageways in built-up areas the speed limit established may not be exceeded by more than 20 km/h when overtaking.

Toll Roads in Spain

Toll roads are pay-as-you-go and are very reasonably priced, with some charges being abolished by the Spanish Government in early 2020 and more in September 2021. These free motorways cover the eastern route south from Perpignan as far as Alicante. You can pay with cash or a credit card or use an electronic toll tag like Emovis or Bip&Drive .

Due to the huge swathes of nothingness in the interior, the toll roads are definitely worth taking if you are trekking from one side of Spain to the other. The AP7 on the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol retains some charges, but they are minimal. 

Low Emission Zones in Spain

At the start of 2023, there were 16 low emission zones in Spain and municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants have to implement a LEZ by the end of 2023.

Spanish registered cars will be registered and receive a sticker, but currently, foreign vehicles can’t buy stickers although they have to meet the required standards.

If you are stopped, you may be able to do this with your V5C, Certificate of Conformity or LEZ sticker from another country. The only exception is in Barcelona, where you will need to register your vehicle in order to drive within the LEZ  here .

Driving to Spain FAQs

How long does it take to drive to spain.

It can take anywhere from around 11 hours to 17 hours to drive to Spain depending on which route you choose, the traffic conditions and your driving style.

Can you take your car from UK to Spain?

Yes, you can drive your own car from UK to Spain. You must have a driving license, and a minimum of third-party insurance and your car must be legally registered and taxed in the UK with a valid MOT.

How much does it cost to drive to Spain from UK?

You need to take into account the cost of the ferry or Eurotunnel, the cost of fuel, tolls and any additional cost for EU insurance for your vehicle. You may also want to factor in EU breakdown cover, overnight stops and food to eat along the way, as well as wear and tear on the car.

With the cheapest channel crossing and the most cost-effective route, plan to spend at least £300/€343 for a one-way road trip to Spain.

Is it cheaper to fly or drive to Spain?

If you can get a bargain low-season flight at 5am, don’t mind a seat at the back and don’t need to carry much more than a toothbrush, it might be cheaper to fly than drive to Spain. But we’ve noticed in this post-pandemic era that those flights are becoming less and less and often, driving seems a better option.

Can UK tourists drive in Spain?

Yes, UK tourists can drive in Spain for up to 6 months on their UK license. As you can only stay in Spain for 90 days before applying for residency, and only stay in the entire Schengen Area for up to 90 days in every rolling 180 days, it’s unlikely that you’ll reach the limit.

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Full guide on traveling to Spain by car

Are you traveling to Spain by car? Taking a road trip is actually a great way to explore the country.

If you’re considering exploring Spain by car, check this complete guide on where to book your rental car online .

Spain is surely one of the top self drive holidays in Europe. Having your own transport opens up a lot of opportunities to visit smaller towns and squeeze more than you usually would into each day.

This means that you can go to some great and very popular destinations in Spain (e.g. Seville , Granada , Cordoba , Barcelona or Madrid ) and add to the itinerary a bunch of bonus (e.g. the coast where you can spend a few days at some gorgeous beaches…).

All in all, it’s a great to get a good overview of the country in a short period of time.

In this guide, I’m going to explain everything you need to know about a Spain border crossing by car.

Table of Contents

Getting to Spain by car: Access towns

You can get to Spain by driving a rental car (or your own car of course!), either coming from Portugal or France.

If you’re coming from France , the entry points are:

• Irún, on your way to San Sebastián and Bilbao.
• Canfranc and Formigal, on your way to Zaragoza.
• Vielha, Andorra, Puigcerdà, and La Jonquera, on your way to Barcelona.

If you’re coming from Portugal , the entry points are:

• Tui, on your way to Santiago de Compostela.
• Guarda, on your way to Salamanca.
• Elvas, on your way to Badajoz, Mérida and Salamanca.
• Ayamonte, on your way to Huelva and Seville.

Traveling to Spain by car: Crossing borders

You might decide to visit Spain and Portugal or France on the same trip. Why not? Just make sure the car rental company allows for that.

Since all 3 countries (Spain, France and Portugal) are Schengen countries , you won’t face a hard border crossing . In other words, there are no border crossing points and you don’t have to show documents when crossing the border.

However, here’s the list of documents you need to travel to Spain by car:

• National ID (if you’re a EU national) or passport of all the people entering the country.
• Valid home country driving license and, depending on your citizenship, a valid International Driving Permit .
• Vehicle ownership documents.
• Proof of insurance.

Driving in Spain: things you need to know

If you’re taking a trip that involves driving in Spain, it’s always a good idea to know some of the rules and regulations before you go.

Many of the regulations are similar to other European countries, but speed limits and other information can be quite different than the US, Canada or Australia for example.

Don’t worry, though, you’ll be ready to hit the road after reading my 6 tips for driving in Spain !

Extra tips and advice to arrive to Spain by car

Here are some final things to consider regarding if you plan to arrive to Spain by car.

Check the fuel costs

There can be drastic changes in fuel prices across borders.

Always plan around this and if you’re leaving an expensive country (which is the case for France and Portugal as well) make sure you fill up the tank with fuel after crossing the border :

• Fuel prices in both France and Spain aren’t the cheapest that you will find in Europe, however if you’re looking forward to a holiday across both of these beautiful countries, you’ll find the cheaper fuel prices in Spain rather than France .
• Similarly to the border crossing between France and Spain, you’ll notice fuel prices are a lot cheaper in Spain than they are in Portugal, so make sure you fill up on the Spanish side of the border to make the most of your holiday budget.

Gas stations are fully aware of that, so you’ll find one on the Spanish side as soon as you cross the border, no matter the route you’re taking!

Be ware of speed limit changes

When you cross over the border into Spain there’s almost always a large sign which outlines the speed limits on each type of road.

But if you skip it for any reason, I suggest you download an app called Waze . It’s an excellent tool for driving around Europe because it has a built-in function that tells you if you’re speeding.

One last piece of advice, though.

There are now plenty of speed traps, or radars, on main roads in Spain, and police can and do issue on-the-spot fines. Advance warning of speed traps tends to be given, and the speed cameras are sometimes painted in fluorescent yellow, with the speed limit painted on them… But this is not always the case so be careful with speed limits.

Be careful with the new road signs

Take your time when entering Spain from France or Portugal to familiarize yourself with the new road signs.

This article is part of a complete tutorial about car rental in Spain where you can read all the information you need to organize your road trip around the country.

Here is a complete summary of all the guide:

1. What’s the best way to travel across Spain: a road trip or take the train? 2. Traveling to Spain by car 3. 10 epic Spain road trips 4. How to book your rental car online 5. How to find cheap car rental rates? 6. 8 Rental car tips & hacks for your Spain road trip 7. Do you need an International Driver’s Licence? 8. Getting around Spain: rental car 9. 6 tips for driving in Spain 10. Car parking in Spain

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Driving to Spain from the UK: top tips

December 16, 2022 by carwow staff

Spain offers great beaches, fantastic weather and for Brits, it is pretty affordable. No wonder that it tops the list of countries we love to head to the most. With over 18 million visitors travelling there from the UK each year between 2017 and 2019, it’s almost twice as popular as France.

Now, with pandemic restrictions and entry limitations finished, Spain is very much open for business, and it’s also often cheaper to drive than fly. We take a look at how the rules have changed since Brexit and all the things you need to know before embarking on a road trip to Spain.

Our top tips for driving to Spain

• Have the right documents
• Check what has changed since Brexit
• Be familiar with French road rules, as you’ll also be driving through France
• Work out the best route
• Be familiar with Spanish driving laws

1. Have the right documents

Getting your documents in order should be the first step in preparing for a journey abroad, you should be aware of the following points when traveling to Spain:

• Make sure your car insurance covers you outside of the UK – keep proof of this with you
• If your vehicle is registered in the UK, it needs a ‘UK’ sticker on it when driving abroad. The older ‘GB’ stickers are no longer valid
• Ensure your UK driving licence is valid – an international driving permit is not required
• The V5C document proving your car is registered to you is required
• Carry some form of identification- usually your passport

In summary you will need your:

• Driver’s licence
• V5C registration doc
• Proof of Insurance

2. Check what has changed since Brexit

There have been a few changes since the UK left the EU. All vehicles registered in the UK now need to display a ‘UK’ sticker instead of the older ‘GB’ sticker when traveling overseas.

The UK is also not bound by the EU cross-border directive anymore, meaning that EU countries can no longer pursue speeding offences committed by UK drivers abroad.

UK residents can travel to Spain (or any European country) for a period of up to 90 days in a 180-day period without requiring a visa, however, from May 2023, UK travellers will need an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) visa waiver to enter EU countries.

If you have been vaccinated for Covid, keep proof of this with you.

3. Be familiar with French road rules, as you’ll also be driving through France

Driving to Spain will take you through a large section of France (something for which we have a dedicated guide ), so it’s important to bear a few things in mind:

• Most large French cities now have low emission zones – Zone à Faibles Emissions (ZFE). You will need to apply for a Crit’Air sticker on the official website, this will determine which zones your vehicle is allowed in. The cost is €3.11 + €1.40 postage outside France.
• Display a ‘UK’ sticker on the rear of a UK-registered car
• Your UK driving licence is valid in France – you do not need an international licence
• You cannot take meat, milk or dairy into France
• You are not allowed to use your radar detector while driving through France – even navigation systems displaying fixed speed cameras are illegal
• Fruit and vegetables can be taken into France if you have them inspected beforehand
• You will need to either manually adjust your headlamp or use deflector stickers to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic
• The national speed limit is 130km/h (80mph) on motorways, dropping to 110km/h (68mph) in inclement weather conditions

4. Work out the best route

All routes to Spain involve a trip across the English Channel to Calais, you can take the ferry from Dover which is about 1hour 30 minutes or use the Channel Tunnel, which is around 35 minutes, but costs more. There are many ways to drive through France and we list a few options below. Bear in mind that the estimated time and distance starts from Calais.

The quick route: Calais – Rouen – Tours – San Sebastian

• 685 miles, 10 hours 20 mins est.
• Includes tolls
• Channel tunnel to Calais
• Calais to Rouen on A16/A28
• Rouen to Le Mans and then Tours on A28
• Tours to Bordeaux on A10
• Bordeaux to Biarritz and then San Sebastian on A63

This route is mostly on the motorway and includes a number of tolls.

The cheap route: Calais – Rouen – Le Mans – Poitiers – Bordeaux – San Sebastian

• 669 miles, 13 hours 51 mins est.
• Ferry to Calais
• Rouen to Le Mans and then Poitiers on D347
• Poitiers to Bordeaux on N10/A10
• Bordeaux to San Sebastian on A63

This route avoids all toll roads; however it will take at least 3 hours longer than the quickest route and will involve areas of single lane roads which can significantly slow progress.

The scenic route: Calais – Paris – Limoges – Bordeaux – Bilbao

• 771 miles, 13 hours 26 mins
• Calais to Pairs on A26/A1
• Paris to Limoges on A10/A71/A20
• Limoges to Bordeaux on E606
• Bordeaux to Bilbao on A63

The scenic route is longer and slower than the most direct options, so an overnight stay in Limoges (see the medieval houses and stunning porcelain and glass products) or Bordeaux (to stock up on fine wines) is a great way to break the journey.

5. Be familiar with Spanish driving laws

• You are not allowed to use your radar detector while driving through Spain, however, navigation systems displaying fixed speed cameras are legal
• You must carry a high-vis jacket and warning triangle in the car
• You can use your UK driving licence in Spain
• The national speed limit is 120km/h (75mph) on motorways

Driving to Spain from the UK FAQs

How long does it take to drive to spain.

The quickest route from Calais to San Sebastian can be done in just under 11 hours. The ferry from Dover to Calais takes 90 minutes, while the Channel Tunnel takes 35 minutes. Budget at least 14-15 hours for the entire journey if you live in the southern parts of the UK and plan to travel further inland than the Spanish border.

How far is Spain from the UK?

The distance from Dover to San Sebastian is 732 miles.

The distance between the two capitals, London and Madrid, is 1,070 miles.

Can I drive in Spain with a UK licence?

Yes. Your UK licence is legal in Spain

Do I need an IDP to drive in Spain?

No. If you have a photocard driving licence you do not need an IDP (International Driving Permit). If this isn’t the case for you then check this government portal to see what the requirements are.

What do I need to drive in Spain after Brexit?

From May 2023, UK travellers will need an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) visa waiver to enter EU countries. You will need to display a ‘UK’ sticker on the rear of any UK-registered car.

Do I need extra insurance to drive to Spain?

You will need to confirm with your insurance company that you are covered for travel abroad.

What side of the road do they drive on in Spain?

The Spanish drive on the right side of the road, and so should you.

Do I need a Green Card to drive in Spain?

No. A Green Card is proof that you have car insurance and it is necessary to have this in some countries, but neither France nor Spain is one of these.

How much does it cost to drive to Spain from the UK?

With fuel prices fluctuating, and cars varying wildly in their fuel consumption, your best bet is to plot out a route on Google Maps or similar, see how many miles your desired trip is, and work out the cost of fuel based on how much your car typically uses.

You’ll want to factor in the cost of meals and an overnight stay, too, and again this is ‘how long is a piece of string’ territory. Sleep in your car and eat packed lunches and it’ll cost you buttons, while by contrast some of the most expensive hotel run to €10,000 a night or more.

Are there any good driving roads in Spain?

Yep, plenty, and many have mighty good views as well. Take in the Andalusian tunnels, enjoy the coastal roads by Santander, or just go exploring: chances are you won’t be far from good roads, let alone good food and good scenery.

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Related articles

This is Spain

Most people visiting Spain choose to fly. If it’s just a long weekend then flying is the only realistic option. But if your stay is for a week or longer, then driving has a lot going for it.

There’s the flexibility of being able to change your travel plans, of stopping off to check out attractions en-route. There’s the considerable advantage of being able to take so much more luggage, with no worries about whether half your goods will be conviscated or end up damaged on an airport conveyor belt, or even lost forever. And you get a real sense of making a journey, of seeing the landscape and architecture change as you travel, something you just don’t get when you fly. It goes without saying that you also avoid the stresses associated with airport security, check-in, and for many people, of flying itself.

A drive to Spain can either be a leisurely trip taking several days, or it is perfectly possible to reach Northern Spain in a day from the Western Channel Ports. The route you take largely depends on your final destination, as well as your departure point in the UK.

If you live in the South-East then Dover to Calais/Dunkerque (or Folkestone to Calais if you prefer to use the Channel Tunnel) is your best option. Heading for the Mediterranean coast and Barcelona does involve a lengthy drive to the Spanish border of about 11 hours, so unless you’re in a big hurry you’d be advised to stop off in somewhere like Clermont Ferrand on the A75. This motorway passes through some spectacular scenery in the Auvergne and crosses the stunning new bridge near Millau.

Coming from Calais/Dunkerque means traversing Paris. Unfortunately there is no easy way to circumnavigate Paris to the West, so the best route is to take the A16 from Calais, then the N104 towards Aeroport Charles de Gaulle, the A1 towards Paris, then the A3/A86 signed Lyon, and finally the A10 to Orléans where you join the A71/A75. This takes you all the way to the Mediterranean at Montpellier, where you take the A9 to the Spanish border.

Leaving Calais and heading for the Western Spanish border between Biarritz and San Sebastian means taking the A16/A28 to Rouen. This city still doesn’t have a by-pass, but there’s a good dual carriageway through the town. Once in Rouen follow the signs to Caen and the A13, then look out for the A28 which takes you via Le Mans to Tours. Here you join the A10 to Bordeaux and onwards to Spain on the A63. This jouney also involves about an 11 hour drive.

But if you take one of the ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo and drive to the A10 via Rennes and Nantes, the driving time is reduced to just over 9 hours to the Med, or only 7.5 hours to San Sebastian. You can leave St Malo at 8 am after a good night’s sleep and be swimming in the beautiful bay at San Sebastian before tea.

If you really don’t want the drive down through France there’s the ferry from Plymouth to Santander, which only takes 16 hours, leaving Plymouth in the afternoon and getting to Santander after breakfast. Or the longer crossing from Portsmouth to Bilbao, which takes 36 hours and is more like a cruise than a ferry trip, even offering the chance for some whale and dolphin spotting!

When you get to Spain you’ll find that the Spanish police are now very active in enforcing their traffic laws. No problem if you abide by the rules, but if you do not you run the risk of incurring hefty on-the-spot fines. You might not believe it, given how the Spanish drive, but radar speed traps and unmarked police cars are common-place. Spain was the first of several countries to introduce a law requiring you to carry a high visibility vest for every occupant, to be used in case of breakdown. These vests must be in the car, not the boot. You also need a spare pair of spectacles if you need them to drive.

Bail bonds are no longer required, but make sure your car insurer knows you are driving abroad, and check there are no restrictions on your policy. Note that although non-Spanish vehicles are only required to carry one warning triangle, Spanish vehicles must carry two. We know of cases where this has caused difficulty, so you are advised to take two. And remember to signal when pulling in after over-taking. Motorists have been fined for not doing so.

All the information you could ever need about driving to Spain, as well as driving in other European countries, is on the Drive-Alive website. And if you’re looking for en-route accommodation and great ferry prices, Drive-Alive’s interactive holiday planner is the place to book. So enjoy the freedom of having your own car, obey the law, and have a great time driving to and in Spain.

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Driving To Spain From The UK

Driving to Spain from the UK is easier than you may think. Right now driving is a good option for travelling abroad if wish to avoid flying . Driving To Spain From The UK In your own car means you can plan your route and take your time, thus helping you to arrive to your destination without stress.

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But how do you go about travelling through france such a long distance from the UK to Spain ? As a family with a home in the UK as well as Spain, we have driven numerous times from the UK across Europe in our car and also our new motorhome . So let us show you the best routes, cost’s and what you need to plan before you drive across Europe.

Everything you need to know about driving to Spain from the uk in 2024

Travelling in Europe by car involves booking a channel crossing to France, accommodation in France and Spain, stopping for petrol, eating on route and going through tolls. Theres is a lot to book and work out but it is relatively easy and can be great fun. Think it as an extra part of your trip!

This guide covers all you need to know before you arrange your road trip to Spain and the best routes to drive to Spain.

Can I drive to spain from uk now?

Can I drive to spain from uk? Yes, you can drive from the United Kingdom to Spain. The most common route involves taking a ferry or the Eurotunnel from the UK to mainland Europe and then driving through France and potentially other countries, depending on the specific route you choose. The journey involves crossing the English Channel and traveling through France to the border of Spain, which are connected by an extensive road network.

What documents do I need to drive to Spain or france?

With different countries having different rules you will need to check with the country you first enter before driving.

When driving from the UK to Spain or France, you need to ensure you have the necessary documents to comply with legal requirements. Here is a general list of documents you may need:

• Valid Passport: Ensure that your passport is valid for the duration of your trip.
• Driving License: Bring your valid UK driving license. If you have a paper license, it’s advisable to also bring a photo ID.
• International Driving Permit (IDP): While it’s not always a legal requirement, an IDP can be useful and is sometimes recommended, especially if your driving license is not in English or if you have an older paper license. Check the specific requirements of the countries you’ll be driving through.
• Vehicle Registration Document: Bring the original registration document (V5C) for your vehicle.
• Insurance Documents: Carry proof of vehicle insurance that is valid in the countries you’ll be visiting. Some insurance policies automatically cover European travel, but it’s essential to confirm and, if necessary, obtain a Green Card.
• Travel Insurance: While not mandatory, having travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and other unforeseen events is highly recommended.
• Breakdown Cover: Consider European breakdown cover to ensure assistance in case your vehicle experiences mechanical issues.

All information changes so always check these governments website prior to travel.

Check these website before you drive so you know what you need;

The UK Government website for France

The Uk Government website for Spain

The French Government website

The Spanish Government website for travel restrictions

Do I need to fill out a Spanish Health form if driving to Spain?

This is no longer required.

Arrange Your Trip

See these recommendations for Hotels in the Area

Is it easy to drive to Spain through France?

It is very easy to drive to France and Spain. Obviously you will driving on the right hand side in both spain and france and it really is not hard once you get used to it. The roads are clear and wide and there are plenty of service stations on route. The main motorways roads through Spain are often not as busy as the UK. However main towns can be busier.

You can choose a variety of ways to cross the Channel by ferry or by Euro tunnel into Calais, Cherbourg, St Malo, Caen, Roscoff or Bilbao.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to yourself.

Is it cheaper to drive to Spain or fly?

It is not always cheaper to drive to Spain. This really depends on the time of year in which you wish to go. How much does it cost to drive to Spain in 2024? You need to take into account these costs when driving to Spain;

• Channel crossing cost
• Food and drink costs
• Petrol or diesel costs based on your milage
• Toll costs ( our route is around €125 each way)
• Hotel or bed and breakfast cost
• Pet travel and passport

You can fly to the likes of Alicante or Malaga for as little as around £80 return in the winter. In the summer when the flights go up it becomes much more expensive sometime £400 return flight.

You need to weigh up the cost of petrol, stopping at a hotel or B & B, food, Tolls and the amount of people in your car. The most people in the car the cheaper it could be in comparison to flying.

This would be a lot cheaper for a family of 4 to drive to Spain than fly at certain times of the year.

Petrol prices as of 2022 in Spain and France

Petrol and fuel prices have drastically increased currently in France petrol is around €1.90 a litre. In Spain the petrol is around €1.70 but you get a discount with a QR code from the government after filling up of 20 cents per litre making it slightly cheaper.

How long does it take to drive from UK to Spain?

How long does it take to drive to Spain ? It can take anywhere between a day and a half to 3 days to drive to Spain. This depends on the route you take and the amount of hours you wish to drive. For instance you can choose to stay over one night with more driving in between, catch an overnight ferry, or break it up in to a few days. Typically you are looking at spending one or two nights in hotels or bed and breakfasts along the route.

Break down your journey from UK to Spain

These are some approximate driving times from France to Spain, Obviously these need to be broken up and not driven all at once. These trips can easily be broken down with an over night stay.

• From Calais to Malaga is approximately 18 hours.
• Calais to Alicante driving time of around 16 hours
• Calais to Barcelona around 12 hours driving time
• Cherbourg to Malaga is around 17 and half hours driving
• Roscoff to Alicante takes around 15 hours to drive
• Bilbao to Malaga takes around 8 and half hours of driving.

What should I prepare for the drive to Spain?

You should prepare a few things for your car on your drive to Spain;

• Check your car is safe for the journey such as checking your tyres
• Buy a European driving car kit
• Pack fresh food and drink
• Pack a first aid kit
• Arrange your european travel insurnace
• Arrange european breakdown cover
• Have a valid driving licence.
• Driving incense green card

Spain and France have legal driving requirements check these before you start driving to Spain. You can purchase a car travel kit for your journey to cover you in France and Spain.

To drive to France you will need in your car:

• Reflective jackets
• Spare bulbs for your lights
• A Breathalyser kit
• Warning triangle (compulsory in every vehicle with four wheels or more)
• Headlamp beam deflectors (Depending on your car these can be deflector stickers or adjust the head light beams manually)
• You will also need a UK Sticker
• Yellow fluorescent jacket . All vehicles driving on French roads are obliged to carry one to be put on if the driver has to get out in an emergency. (In Spain, it’s one per passenger). The jacket must be stored in the car, not in the boot and failure to comply may lead to an instant fine of up to 130 Euros. 

To drive to Spain you will need in your car:

• UK Sticker or UK plates
• Yellow fluorescent jacket (Hi Vis ) All vehicles driving on Spain roads are obliged to carry one to be put on if the passengers need to get out in an emergency. (all passengers must have one ) The jackets must be stored in the car, not in the boot and failure to comply may lead to an instant fine if stopped by the polic.

Do I need a GB or UK sticker for driving in Spain?

As of the 28th September 2021 the national identifying mark displayed on vehicles which were registered in the UK that are driven abroad will changed from GB to UK.  

This means that United Kingdom vehicles must display the letters “UK” clearly on the car when driven in Europe.   

GB or European plates identifiers are no longer permitted.

Do I need An insurance green card for driving in Europe?

As of the 2nd August 2021, drivers are longer required to obtain an insurance green card for taking or driving their vehicles in Europe.

Choose how to travel from the UK to France

Crossing the channel in to france.

Depending on which area of the UK you are starting your journey from there are a few different options for your route across the channel from the UK to France. These options take different times and cost different prices. You can cross the channel in the following ways;

Drive to Spain via the Eurotunnel

The Eurotunnel is our preferred way to drive to Spain, It is quick easy and safe. Using the Eurotunnel to drive to Spain is also a great option for those that are travel sick or are taking dogs on a pet passport.

You book your tunnel before you go, and then turn up 2 hours before you cross. You can have a well earned break in the Le shuttle terminal where they have shops, duty free and restaurants. After boarding the train whilst staying in your car the crossing is around 35 minutes. Once in France you will drive directly off of the Euro shuttle train and continue your road trip.

Eurotunnel cost

The Euro tunnel cost has gone up significantly and you can no longer purchase in bulk the frequent traveller tickets. If you are taking your dog you have to pay £30 each way per dog.

You can also go by Ferry to France from the Uk Using these crossings;

• Ferry from Dover to Calais
• Portsmouth to Santander or Bilbao  ferry when driving to Spain
• Portsmouth to La Havre, Caen, Cherbourg or St Malo
• Poole to Cherbourg or Santander Ferry route driving to Spain
• Plymouth to Roscoff or Santander
• Ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo

From Ireland you can also get a ferry to France on these routes;

• Rosslare to Roscoff or Bilbao
• Cork to Roscoff

Obviously with longer ferry journeys you would need to book an over night cabin, such as Portsmouth to Santander or Bilbao.

How long is it safe to drive for in Spain?

It is typically suggested that 9 hours is about the limit to drive safely in one day. The first thing you need to do is work out how long you wish to drive for. However you need to plan to stop at least once whilst driving and as well as over night. So take this in to consideration when booking your trip.

What routes to Spain from the UK?

When driving to Spain from the UK there are many different routes to take. Here are some ideas of the best itineraries to drive from the UK to Spain through France

Here are some good routes to drive to Malaga and the Costa Del sol. When we are travelling to Spain we tend to stop in Normandy first then work out how many hours driving in between stops for the next one. We have a Tesla as well so we look for superchargers that are often at major towns.

We have never done the same route twice and look at a few days travel to our destination in the Coast del Sol. It is lovely to break down the journey in to your vacation as well. there are so many routes and steps you could take along the road trip.

Routes to try when travelling through Spain and what is the best driving route from calais to spain?

In my opinion one of the best driving routes from calais to spain is driving through these areas and not up high through the Pyrenees. These city’s would require some toll roads.

• On towards Tours
• Past Bayonne
• Head towards Pamplona
• Next destination, Zaragoza 

Travel through Normandy to Malaga via San Sebastian.

The Quickest Route from Calais to drive to the sunny Costa del so l is through Rouen on to Bordeaux , San Sebastian and then on to Malaga . You can stop as many times as you like depending how long you wish to drive. You also need to bear in mind how long your journey to the crossing is in the Uk when you factor in driving distances in France and Spain.

For instance ; If your drive to the your chosen channel crossing in the UK is around 4 hours you may not wish to drive long in France so may need to stay closer to Calais such as in Rouen.

Straight from Calais to your first stop in France near Nantes in Brittany could be, Calais to Nantes 5 hrs 30mins, Then Nantes to San Sebastián is 5hrs 16 mins. This would then leave you around a 9 hr drive to Costa del Sol on the following day.

We stayed at this beautiful Hotel in San Sebastián which had some parking spaces. The Hotel Zenit Convento San Martin was originally an old Convent!

Other towns to stop in France on the first part of your journey to Spain are;

Where to stay when travelling by car to Spain second stop

For the second stop we like to head down to the border of France and Spain to Bordeaux or in Spain the Basque Country or Navarre . Bear in mind where you first stopped and count the hours as you may be able to travel further on to Madrid .

Second stop of your trip through France on your drive to Spain you could stop at;

We personally love staying at the pretty coastal town of Biarritz as one of our stops in France .

We Stayed in the Bright T2 with balcony and sea view in Biarritz. It was walking distance to everything and had parking and a stunning view of the lighthouse.

If stopping in Spain on the second part of the journey you could call at;

• San Sebastian
• Logroño – We like the AC Hotel La Rioja by Marriott in Logrono.
• Tudela – We stayed in the AC Hotel Ciudad de Tudela by Marriott

When we are driving to Spain we like to visit and stay in Logroño which is the tapas area of Rioja in the bustling streets of Calle Del laurel.

Travel to Malaga via Alicante

If you are travelling down to Alicante in Spain your journey may be slightly different. You can follow a similar starting route on one of the previous first stops but then veer off through Catalonia and stop along the coast there. Alternatively you can drive down to Alicante through the east of France and visit one of these places

• Champagne region of Reims

If you need to stop a second time you can stop at one of these Spanish coastal cities or even the stunning Valencia region which is one of my favourite cities in Spain;

• Montpellier
• Carcassonne ( we stayed in and old Convent, Le Couvent – Hostel which also has rooms for 2 and 4 )
• Barcelona ( we last stayed in Barcelona Hotel Colonial with amazing views of the city )
• Valencia ( we stayed in AC Hotel Valencia by Marriott near the City of Arts )

How much are the tolls driving through Spain and France

Can you drive to Spain from uk avoiding tolls? Avoiding the toll roads in France and Spain will make you lose quite a few hours and is generally pointless as you will eventually come to one or have to go a long way out of your way. We always go the toll route to make it easier. Each route will differ slightly and could be a total of around €100 euros by the time you reach your destination.

How do you pay for the tolls in Spain?

There are three ways to  pay  for Spanish and French tolls;

• Electronically

You can pay with a card or cash manually, or electronically with a dart tag called Emovis. On the toll road you will be required to take a ticket from a booth when you enter the motorway. You are charged for your journey at the motorway exit.

Where can I get a tag for Spanish and French motorways?

You can get a tag for the Spanish and French tolls so you don’t have to stop and queue to pay or worry your card will not work. The Emovis tag from Bip and Go works in both Spain and the UK. You will need one motorway toll tag for France and one toll Tag for Spain . When you approach the toll it will automatically read your tag and let you through. This means you can use the fast 30 KPH lanes too.

There is a minimum yearly fee and they invoice you once you use a toll. Then the money comes directly out from your bank . 

Can you travel with pets to spain?

Yes you can to take a dog, cat into Spain, the pet must have:

• Be vaccinated against rabies with a valid vaccine at the time of travel and included in the passport.
• Have a European pet passport or an AHC ( animal health certificate in the Uk )
• A vet check with wormer treatment 1 to 5 days before going back in to the UK

If travelling with a pet it’s important to check hotels that accept dogs as well as travel arrangements on ferries for dogs too.

Can you get the Train to Spain?

Yes you can! should you wish to take the train to the Costa del Sol in Spain the route would be;

• UK to Paris
• Paris to Barcelona
• Over night stay in Barcelona
• Train to Malaga

More reading

Check out how one family got on when they drove to the South of France here.

Where to go in Malaga?

When you are in the Costas why not try visiting these beautiful Andalusian towns.

Juzcar is the Smurf village that is entirely blue!

Antequera is steeped in history and only minutes from Malaga.

Puerto Banus is the millionaires playground but so much fun to visit

Fancy a beach club? check out these Marbella and Puerto Banus Beach Clubs

Thank you for reading this How to Drive in Spain post I hope you enjoy your trip.

Donna, an accomplished author, call’s Essex home and resides on the outskirts of the vibrant city of London. She is the creative force behind various websites, with Likelovedo being the foundation. Donna loves to explore, tell a story, and has a passion for travel, craft, and, of course, London. You can find Donna at Likelovelondon.com, a brand-new London website, and Cruising With Kids, where her work has also been published by various news publications.

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15 comments.

Antequera is more like an hours travel from Malaga, certainly not minutes. And there are far better places to visit in Andalucia rather than the overated glitzy Marbella and Puerta Banus.

Hi It is a figure of speech in a link to another post. Antequerra is 50 minutes from Malaga and there are many places to visit in the area I agree! I have visited many places in Andalusia I just haven’t written about these places yet.

Great write up and thank you for the clarity! Interesting enough, we have a Tesla model 3 and have been trying to defer the journey on the basis of sparse information on chargers in Spain. We do have an apartment on the Coast of Malaga but no charging access.

Any advice will be helpful.

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Hi sorry I missed this! Ahh no problem I am just about to release my Tesla post on driving to Spain. We have had a changing unit installed at out destination in malaga. The super charger is 20 mins from us in Benalmadena so we always used to fully charge there before we had the charger. Ill pop the post on this week feel free to ask any questions. x

Hello, thank you for all the info provided. Have you ever travelled on a ferry to Bilbao from Portsmouth? If yes, how comfortable did you find the overnight journey? (If one has to do that with kids)

I haven’t done the over night ferry for quite some time sorry

Hi There. I will be travelling from Calais to Vera. me my parents and 2 kids, possibly the dogs. 16ish hour drive. just working out where to stop.

Hi, I would maybe stop in Bordeaux or possibly the Bayonne area? I think that would be about half way? And would be good to avoid going through Paris.

Hi, we are driving to our villa in Alicante for the first time in late March 2022, we will be taking the tunnel and hopefully getting into Spain for our stop before carrying on to our villa the next morning. Do we have to do an locator form for France if we are just travelling through. If there any other information you provide which will help us on our travels.

Hi, sorry I have only just noticed this. We drive to Alicante a lot! Yes you will need to follow the rules for France the link is in the post. This may change by then. I will be updating this post soon with any additional info. As it stands I believe the border through the Pyreennes is closed. We do normally make two stops but we are now doing one with shared driving.

Hello, we are heading for mojacar in February, hoping to do it in 2 days. Do you know of any apps that would be helpful cheers john

Sorry not really for driving. We use waze mostly for navigation and traffic. We also sometimes go in a Motorhome so use apps for that. Have a fun drive.

Many thanks for writing this. I used it as a blue print for our journey and we arrived in Marbella last night, no issues at all.

The journey for us was the whole point of the trip so we took our time and did it over 6 days.

For the return journey I will be driving by myself in a RHD and the logistics of going through all the tolls without a tag wouldn’t be appealing, so I am getting the ferry from Santander. Anyone reading this travelling by themselves in a RHD my advice is to get the tag.

Thats great to know thank you for your comment! I hope you enjoyed the trip!

What a fantastic and helpful post, thank you for taking the time to write it. We set off from Calais to Spain in a few weeks and this has really helped with planning. Thank you

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Spain: post-Brexit passport requirements and the £97 per day rule

UK holidaymakers are unlikely to fall foul of the £97 a day rule when travelling to Spain this summer.

Non-EU citizens entering the country can be asked to provide evidence that they have enough money for the duration of their stay. However, it is not a new rule and tourists are very unlikely to be quizzed at all. 

British citizens are much more likely to be caught out by changes to passport validity rules post-Brexit. They could also be asked to show proof of a return ticket. 

It isn't the only issue that could catch you out. In some parts of Spain, the Canary Islands and Balearics, you can be fined for drinking or smoking in public places. 

Eventually, British travellers will also need a visa waiver, known as the Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation Scheme (ETIAS) to enter Spain - although the launch date for this scheme has been pushed back to mid-2025.

Here’s a summary of everything you need to know when visiting Spain this summer.

• Spain’s post-Brexit entry rules
• Do I need a visa to travel to Spain?
• Why you probably don’t need to worry about the €109 per day rule
• Local laws in Spain: alcohol limits and bikini bans

Get free travel advice and recommendations you can trust from the experts with our monthly Travel newsletter  

  What are the passport rules for Spain?

British passport-holders need to check if their passport meets the EU and Schengen area’s requirements for ‘third-country nationals’, which Brits are classed as since Brexit.

You can do this by checking if your passport’s ‘date of issue’ and ‘date of expiry’ satisfy two requirements: 

Date of issue - it must have been issued less than 10 years before your arrival date

Date of expiry - it must be valid for at least three months after the day you’re leaving Spain

These passport rules also apply to the Canary Islands, as well as every country in the EU and Schengen area apart from Ireland.

Some UK holidaymakers have been denied boarding because their passport was issued more than 10 years ago. This is because the Passport Office used to add extra months if you renewed your old passport early, so your current passport could be valid for more than 10 years.

You’ll also need to renew your passport if you’ve run out of blank pages because it will be stamped when you enter and exit Spain.

The Passport Office currently advises travellers to allow at least three weeks for their application to be processed - but at peak times waits can be much longer. Make sure to check your passport before you book your holiday.

Thinking of visiting Spain? Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals.

  Visas for Spain - do I need one when travelling from the UK?

You don’t need a visa for short visits to Spain. British passport-holders are allowed to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 out of 180 days. So you could stay in Spain for up to 90 days, or visit several countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days.

You will need a visa waiver to visit Spain and the Canary Islands, as well as every country in the Schengen zone from mid 2025. It’s expected to cost €7 (£6) and be valid for three years.

The EU’s ETIAS was due to be introduced this year, but has been postponed. It isn't the first time the launch has pushed back. The exact date hasn’t been announced.

The EU is also planning to replace passport-stamping with biometric checks in the Schengen Zone and the Canary Islands next year.

Read more about ETIAS on the official European Union website .

What are Spain’s entry requirements on return tickets and funds?

Now the UK isn’t in the European Union, you could be asked to prove you have a return or onward ticket and pre-booked accommodation - a hotel booking confirmation, or proof of address if you're visiting friends or staying in your own property. Few travellers are asked, but spot checks do take place. 

This entry requirement applies to all Schengen countries and the Canary Islands. It has been widely reported that you could also be asked to prove you have sufficient financial means for the duration of your trip - but this is very unlikely.

Spain defines ‘sufficient financial means’ as access to €113.40 (£96.80) - or the equivalent in another currency) per person per day. For a family of five, this equates to €567 per day or €7,938 for a two-week holiday in Spain.

In the unlikely event you are asked, you just need to show you can access these funds; you’re not required to spend that amount of money or present it all in cash on the spot. The funds can be in the form of cash, travellers’ cheques, debit and credit cards, or a combination of these. Bank cards need to be accompanied by a recent bank statement.

The Ministry of the Interior has confirmed that this rule isn’t being applied to tourists and nobody has been refused entry on this basis.

  Local laws in Spain: Bikini bans and alcohol limits

Spain has introduced local laws and restrictions on alcohol, smoking and wearing swimwear in public in recent years. Make sure you’re aware of these rules to avoid being fined.

Drinking and smoking in public in Spain

Some local authorities in Spain, including in Madrid, the Balearics and the Canaries, have banned drinking alcohol and smoking in public places with on-the-spot fines for anybody who doesn’t comply with the rules. These rules apply to some beaches as well. 

There’s a limit on the amount of alcohol you can buy or consume in an effort to clamp down on anti-social behaviour in several resorts in the Balearics - Magaluf and Palma on Mallorca, and parts of Ibiza. Tourists on all-inclusive deals are limited to six drinks a day, and two-for-one drinks, happy hours and pub crawls are banned.

Smoking is prohibited on most Spanish beaches, including all of the beaches in Barcelona. Those caught smoking where they’re not supposed to could be fined £25.

Where do you need to cover up in Spain?

It’s against the law to wear just a bikini or swimming trunks in the street in Barcelona, Malaga and Palma in Mallorca. Being bare-chested in the street has also been banned in some areas. You could be fined up to €300 (around £250) for not following the rules. 

This rule applies to other public settings too, such as restaurants, shops and bars. Always cover up when walking back from the beach or swimming pool to be on the safe side.

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Best Family Road Trip Itinerary through Spain from the UK

Do you want to take your kids on a road trip, but don’t know where to begin? No idea about journey times or how to rent a car? Maybe you’re worried that you won’t be able to keep the kids entertained. These are all common concerns, but a road trip is an excellent way to ensure a holiday is specifically tailored to your needs and desires. That’s why we’ve designed the best family road trip Itinerary through Spain from the UK with all the little details taken care of. We’ll help you hire a car and plan a trip that is fun and friendly for all the family. Sit back and relax as we take you on the holiday of a lifetime!

Fly from London to Santander

Starting off in the north of Spain, we will arrange a car hire for you so that you can begin your trip. We recommend staying in Santander overnight to get your bearings before you journey onwards. Santander is a lovely city to begin getting to know Spain as you can enjoy its beautiful beach Playa del Sardinero, its famous palace (Palacio de la Magdalena) and a plethora of museums. The museum of Prehistory and Archaeology is also ideal for younger kids, with plenty of archaic monuments and artefacts to wonder at. Santander is an excellent first stop for an introduction into Spain’s culture and will have you itching to move on to the next stop of the tour!

Drive to Segovia

From Santander, you can drive 3hr 35 minutes to the enchanting city of Segovia . Due to its fairy tale beauty, Segovia is sure to be a firm favourite for all the family. The history lovers can marvel at the impressive Roman aqueduct dating back to the first century. The Alcazar of Segovia is unlike any other in Spain, looking like a Disney palace, younger kids can enact their favourite stories. For the adults, wander through Calle Real de Segovia, a succession of pedestrian streets that lead to the old Jewish quarter. Here, you can enjoy the romantic atmosphere by sampling the finest local restaurants and bars. This is the perfect place to either stop off to stretch your legs or stay overnight to take things slow. The beauty of the road trip is that you can take everything at your own pace! 

Spend two days in Madrid

After Segovia, enjoy the short one hour drive to Madrid! This city needs no introduction. The best family road trip itinerary through Spain has to include Madrid. Spain’s diverse capital has a wide variety of entertaining activities for kids, teenagers and adults alike! For the young ones, visit the adorable Casa Museo de Raton Perez. Spanish children don’t give their teeth to the tooth fairy, instead Perez the mouse collects them! This museum is a fascinating and engaging way for young children to learn about a new culture. The Prado Museum is one of the most famous attractions in the city, but did you know they also have a guided kids tour? You can discover grand works of art altogether without anyone getting bored!

On Day two, prioritise the outdoors! Madrid’s zoo in Casa de Campo and Retiro park are great places to spend time together. Take a picnic or a gentle cruise down the lake in a picturesque rowing boat. If you’d like something more active, why not try a bike tour? We can easily arrange these for you! Bike tours are a great way of getting to know a big city quickly as well as providing a fun opportunity for family races. As well as these activities, make the most of the thriving food scene! Try the famous Madrid Stew or Calamari Sandwich. If your kids are at the picky eating stage, we’re sure you’ll be able to satisfy them with some yummy churros! We guarantee you’ll have happy memories for a lifetime from this wonderful, vibrant city.

Stop off at Toledo

We recommend you stay three nights in Madrid before beginning the journey to the South. On your way, make sure to take a detour in the beautiful city of Toledo less than an hour’s drive from Madrid. Surrounded by stunning views of the country, Toledo is the perfect place to get some fresh air. Head to the Mirador de Valle and take in the breath-taking city from this spectacular vantage point. You can also visit the amazing Imagination Station, where you can explore the exciting range of interactive science exhibitions that are certain to keep them busy for a few hours! Alongside these, you can also visit the city’s Alcazar and art museum for a sense of the city’s UNESCO protected culture. 

Visit Cordoba

Once you’ve explored the rich culture of Toledo, you can begin the 3hr 30 minute drive to Cordoba. This is your first stop in Andalusia, the beautiful region of Southern Spain that should be included in every family road trip itinerary through Spain. Cordoba is littered with great historical monuments like the Mezquita, which with its mixture of Islamic and Cristian design, is unlike any other historical monument you’ll encounter in Spain. Walking under the famous red and white arches, you can wonder at the amazing architecture! If you travel in summer, make sure to check the beautifully flowered patio displays which are unique to the area. This will be something entirely new for the kids to see! We recommend staying one night in Cordoba before heading to sunny Seville. 

Spend three days in Seville

Seville is the capital of Andalusia and one of the warmest cities in Europe. As a result, it’s a hugely popular tourist destination with enough to keep you busy and entertained for at least three days. Some of the best activities for kids are visiting the Royal Alcazar and Plaza de Espana. On day one, you could visit both of these famous locations , known for their depiction infilm and television. The Royal Alcazar was used for Game of Thrones and the Plaza de Espana was used for Star Wars, so the kids and teenagers will love exploring these fantasy worlds in reality. Next to the Plaza de Espana is the Maria Luisa park, where there’s ample space for running around and family picnics. For something fun and interactive, take the kids to the Plaza de America where they can feed the many doves that reside there.

Are you an adventurous family? On Day two, you could try paddle surfing or kayaking ! Seville has many water sports on the river Guadalquivir suitable for all ages. Or take a thrilling horse-riding experience ! You can ride through Andalusia’s beautiful countryside and the kids can pretend to be the hunted outlaws of days of old. Their imagination can run wild as well as learning a new skill. There are also no shortages of flamenco dance lessons for those little ones who can’t stop moving. On day three, immerse yourself in the local Sevillian culture! Little kids will love getting dressed up and learning the basic steps from a beautiful flamenco artist. Make sure to catch a show on your last evening after enjoying some of the city’s delicious tapas. We’re sure they’ll be ready for bed at the end of such an energetic day!

Take a Day Trip to Ronda

Seville is ideally located a short drive from many beautiful Andalusian locations. So, if you want to make the most of your time in the city, why not take a day trip? This is entirely optional but we highly recommend taking a trip to see the white villages of Andalusia. There are many beautiful and popular villages like Zahara de la Sierra, Arcos de la Frontera and Grazalema. However, we recommend visiting Ronda if you are on a tight schedule!

Ronda is an hour and forty minutes drive from Seville. It’s renown for its breath-taking beauty, (Hemingway wrote that it was the most romantic town in Spain) something that the whole family can appreciate. To spend your day there most efficiently, we have created this itinerary so that you and the family can discover its romantic charm with ease.

After arrival, head straight to the Puente Nuevo, the bridge that offers magnificent views of the El Tajo gorge! You’ll be amazed at the drop, but you can even get a closer look by walking into the gorge along the Camino de Los Molinos. Moving on you could take the kids to see the bullring, home to a historic Andalusian tradition of bullfighting. Ronda is said to be the home of this tradition which makes it the perfect stop on any Best Family Road Trip through Spain itinerary! Introducing kids to a new culture at a young age is very important, so we strongly recommend this experience. Other fun activities include: visiting the Mondragon Palace and the Miardor de Aldehuela viewpoints. With jaw-dropping views, you’ll be left with open mouthed wonder on your return.

Jerez and Cadiz

No family road trip itinerary through Spain would be complete without a beach. A one hour drive from Seville will take you to Cadiz, a naval port that boasts multiple beautiful beaches. What better way to pass a sunny day in Spain? Let the kids build sandcastles and swim in the sea whilst you relax with a book. If you’re still hungry for culture, there’s also a beautiful cathedral in the central square to admire! Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the exquisite seafood fresh from the coast and use this city to truly relax. 

Before you get to Cadiz, you may want to make a pit stop in Jerez. This will be hugely popular for the adults in the group due to their popular sherry production. Sample a tasting so that you’ll know exactly which traditional Spanish wine compliments tapas the best. You can also take the kids to visit the Alcazar as well as watch one of the thrilling dressage shows. The whole family will be mesmerised as the horses leap and gallop to the music. This road trip provides fun and education for parents and kids alike!

Finish the tour in Malaga

The last tour on this trip is the wonderful city of Malaga! A two and a half hour’s drive from Cadiz, Malaga is another city that offers easy access to a plethora of beaches. However, there’s so much more to this city than that. Although Malaga is best known for its nightlife, it has a range of family friendly activities . There’s another Museum of Imagination, an interactive music museum for the younger ones as well as cool historical attractions to explore. You can visit the Roman Theatre, Museum of Malaga and botanical gardens! Before you go, make sure to watch the sunset over Malaga bay. What better image to finish your fantastic road trip through Spain?

We can arrange for you to drop off your car before heading on your return flight home, so there really aren’t any details you need to worry about! Our family road trip itinerary through Spain is a guide and you can make changes to your destinations or duration as you please. Get in touch and we can work together to create a family holiday that will be treasured forever. 

Post written by: Rhiannon Morris

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• Nov 20, 2020

How to travel from the UK to Spain without flying

There are many ways to travel to Spain from the UK without flying thanks to a variety of train and ferry services from the south of England. Our team has tried and tested many of them and so we have tried to summarise all the available options in this post based on our experience. On arrival in Spain, there are plenty of options at rail and ferry terminals for onward travel by rail and bus.

For detailed information to how to take public transport to the UK's ferry ports, see Green Traveller's Guide to travelling as a foot passenger from the UK to Europe .

Photos: Eurostar and Brittany Ferries

By Ferry from the UK to Northern Spain

Brittany Ferries runs overnight ferry services for foot passengers (and cycle bikes) across the Bay of Biscay from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander (it also runs a service from Portsmouth to Bilbao though it is not for foot passengers). These luxurious ferries are like going on a mini-cruise, the dining is first-class, there are lots of facilities to keep the kids happy, extremely comfortable sleeping cabins. And you may see whales and dolphin on the crossing - the Bay of Biscay is one of the best places in Europe to spot these magnificent marine animals.

Route: Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander

Journey Time: 20-24 hours (can vary by up to an hour due to tidal conditions)

Sample timetable: Departs Portsmouth 5pm, arrives Santander the following day at 5.30pm. Departs Plymouth 3.45pm, arrive Santander the following day at 1.15pm.

Frequency of Departures: Portsmouth-Santander 2 per week (journey time is 24 hours); Plymouth-Santander 1 per week (this is the fastest service - takes 20 hours)

Car hire at Santander: Yes

Route: Portsmouth to Bilbao ( not for foot passengers )

Journey Time: 33 hours 30 minutes ( it's a two-night crossing )

Sample timetable: Departs Portsmouth at 9.30pm on Sunday and 7.30pm on Thursday for 2-night crossings arriving at 8am on Tuesday or Saturday morning.

Frequency of Departures: Portsmouth-Bilbao 2 sailings each way per week (journey time is 24 hours)

Car hire at Bilbao: Yes

How to travel to Portsmouth ferry terminal

By Bus: The easiest way for foot passengers to reach the harbour is to take a National Express coach (e.g. from London Victoria), which stops right outside the ferry departure building. The closest train station to Portsmouth ferry terminal is 'Portsmouth Harbour' (it's a 20-minute walk from here to the ferry check-in or a 10-minute taxi ride (costs about £5). There are also local bus services to Portsmouth ferry terminal operated by Stagecoach (bus 20) and First Bus (buses 8, X4 and X9).

By train: Train services London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour take 85 minutes and there are also services from London Victoria and Cardiff. NB between May and September, there is a shuttle bus from 'Portsmouth & Southsea ' railway station to the ferry terminal.

Book a train to Portsmouth >> (train tickets provided by Trainline)

Portsmouth Harbour facilities: Bar, café, shop, bureau de change, internet access point.

How to travel to Plymouth ferry terminal

By Bus: National Express runs coach services from London's Victoria coach station to Plymouth coach station.

By Train: There is a good rail service from major railway stations in the UK to Plymouth train station. It takes 3-4 hours from London Paddington to Plymouth.

It takes about 20 minutes to walk from both Plymouth bus station and Plymouth train station to the Plymouth ferry terminal.

Book a train to Plymouth >> (train tickets provided by Trainline)

Plymouth Port facilities: Baby changing, bureau de change, café, disabled access.

Ferry tickets provided by Brittany Ferries (NB. To book as a foot passenger , choose the ' on foot' option from the vehicle selection drop-down selection on step 1 of the ferry booking process):

On arrival at Santander ferry terminal: The ferry terminal lies just one block along Avenida Castilla to Santander's main train station - if you have too much to carry, it's just a minute in a taxi. Santander's train station is well connected to the Spanish rail network, with trains running to major centres in the region and the rest of the country. Santander is the capital of Spain's verdant Cantabria region (part of the wider 'Green Spain' region, along with the Basque Country, Asturias and Galicia), with rugged mountain ranges and a beautiful stretch of coastline including the stunning Picos de Europa mountains.

On arrival at Bilbao ferry terminal: The port of Bilbao is 10 miles (16km) north-west of Bilbao-Abando railway station, from where there are regular train services to major centres across

Spain, including Madrid and Barcelona. There is no public transport direct from/to the ferry terminal, however there is a taxi rank outside the ferry terminal, or you could walk just under 2 miles (3km) to Santurtzi metro station to take the metro to Bilbao-Abando station (Santurtzi is the last stop on Line 2 and goes direct to Bilbao city centre).

For ideas of where to stay, great locally run restaurants, heritage attractions and activities, see our Green Traveller's Guide to Green Spain .

Here's a video we produced about a trip Green Traveller made to Green Spain:

Video produced by Green Traveller Productions

By train from the UK to Spain

It is possible to travel by train to Spain in a day from the UK. The fastest route is to take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International Railway Station then change in Paris to catch a high speed train to Figueres, Girona and Barcelona. From Barcelona there are trains throughout Spain, including to Madrid and south to destinations such as Cordoba, Seville and Malaga . En route to Spain, you have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, which can take about half an hour on the Paris RER line (it's only two stops, though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer - you have about an hour and a half to get the connection, though you could get an earlier train and spent a bit more time in Paris, e.g. have lunch at the wonderful Train Bleu Restaurant in Gare de Lyon). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare de Lyon, you board a TGV high speed train to 'Barcelona Sants' station.

By train from London to Barcelona

Journey Time: from 10 hours 10 minutes

Sample timetable: Depart London 10.24am, arrive Barcelona 9.46pm

Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon

Frequency of Departures: 15/day

Carbon emissions: 7 kg (flight would be 180kg)*

Car hire at Barcelona Sants Railway Station: Yes

For more information about the journey and arriving in Barcelona, see our guide to How to travel by train from London to Barcelona

Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris

If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through (and catch the day time train the following day down to Barcelona), there are lots of lovely places to stay in Paris conveniently near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations:

Hotels near Gare du Nord

Hotels near Gare de Lyon

For details of to travel to Ibiza from Barcelona, see our step-by-step guide:

Train and ferry from London to Ibiza, Spain

* Data for carbon emissions

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Please note : The information on this page aims to give you a reasonable idea of train and ferry routes, times and tickets, in order that hopefully there’s enough detail to know what's available, how to plan an overland journey and where to book tickets. The information was up to date at time of publication, but services do change from time to time and we cannot take responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies we provide. Always confirm details when you book with the relevant travel operator. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, we'd really appreciate being informed via our contact page so we can make the relevant changes to the information provided for the benefit of other travellers.

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FERRIES TO SPAIN

Portsmouth to santander.

Santander, northern Spain

Portsmouth to Santander car ferry

Cars and passengers taken on all sailings.

Travel direct to Spain on our  Portsmouth to Santander  route. There are two departures each week carrying both cars and foot passengers. Santander is conveniently situated for a fast onward journey to destinations throughout Spain and the South of France.

There's easy access to the Spanish motorway network from the  Santander port  area so you can get on the road quickly. It's so handy being able to take your own car on holiday, you and your family can enjoy a relaxed and familiar driving experience and have the freedom to travel wherever you like. You can also pack without any concerns about baggage allowances; just load all your holiday essentials into the car!

Two-night sailings from Portsmouth to Santander

Pack your car with all your holiday essentials

Ferries to Santander

When you take the  car ferry to Santander  you'll be sailing on some of our newest cruise ferries. Santoña has a distinctly Spanish theme, with authentic Spanish food, so you'll feel like you're already on holiday in Spain!

Research your onboard experience further with  Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Santander .

Getting around Spain by car

Spain driving information.

To ensure you are fully prepared for driving in Spain, have a look at our helpful guides on what to expect and find out what you'll need to know in the unfortunate event of an accident or breakdown.

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*Seasonal variations to schedules may apply

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Fighting 'intensifies in eastern Ukraine as troops fall back'; UK estimates 450,000 Russian losses since war began

Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi says his troops have taken up new positions west of Berdychi, Semenivka and Novomykhailivka in order to conserve their forces while armed forces minister Leo Docherty tells the UK Defence Journal tens of thousands have deserted Russian's military since February 2022.

Sunday 28 April 2024 22:34, UK

• Fighting intensifies in eastern Ukraine as troops fall back
• UK minister estimates 450,000 Russian losses since war began
• Tajikistan citizens warned not to travel to Russia
• 'Well-provisioned' Ukrainian troops could prevent Russian advances
• Russia destroys 17 drones launched by Ukraine
• Explained : Why is Chasiv Yar the next target for Russia?
• Your questions answered: Will Ukraine launch another spring offensive?
• Listen to the Sky News Daily above and  tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts

That's all from our live coverage for tonight. For a reminder of today's updates, you can scroll back through this live blog. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is still waiting for promised supplies from its allies, urging the international community to hurry up. 

In his nightly video address today, he said: "We are expecting those volumes and scope that can change the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine's interests." 

He also said he had spoken with US House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, and had thanked Congress for passing the long-awaited aid package for Ukraine. 

"In my conversation with Mr Jeffries, I underscored that Patriot systems are needed, and as soon as possible," he said. 

Ukrainian forces are facing a worsening position in the east and are still awaiting the delivery of US weapons. 

Mr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for more air defence systems to protect its citizens and infrastructure, particularly the Patriot systems. 

Russia will start restricting those called up for military service from leaving the country, according to news site Meduza. 

Electronic summonses will reportedly be sent out from 1 November.

Those who are called up will not be allowed to leave Russia, and they will face further restrictions if they do not go to a military registration and enlistment office within 20 days.

In that case, they will not be allowed to register to run a business, drive a car, take out loans, or conduct real estate transactions, Meduza said.

New satellite imagery appears to show damage at Russia's Kushchyovskaya military airbase in the Krasnodar region. 

Planet Labs shared images comparing how the base looked on 19 March compared with today. 

A source in Ukraine's security and defence forces earlier told Ukrainian media that Kyiv had launched drone strikes against the airbase and two oil refineries overnight. 

They told the Kyiv Independent the SBU and Ukraine's Defence Forces hit the airbase where "dozens of military aircraft, radars, and electronic warfare devices were stationed".

Earlier we brought you news of a Russian drone strike on the Black Sea city of Mykolaiv. 

The attack set a hotel ablaze and damaged energy infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said. 

Vitaliy Kim, the governor of the southern Mykolaiv region, said in an update the attack had "seriously damaged" the hotel.

The strike also damaged heat-generating infrastructure in the city.

There were no casualties, he said. 

A priest sprinkles holy water on believers holding willow branches during an Orthodox Palm Sunday service. 

The service is being held in Donetsk, in an area occupied by Russian forces. 

Russia gained full control of the city of Donetsk in October 2022, but the area has been a major site of fighting since 2014. 

The majority of people in Ukraine are Orthodox Christian, although they follow different branches. 

As we've been reporting, Russia has been pushing forward in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region. 

Ukrainian military officials say their troops are falling back to new positions in at least three places along the frontlines. 

But they are facing public criticism about the transparency of their military updates. 

Ukrainian military blogger Myroshnykov and Ukraine's DeepState monitoring group, which updates daily changes in frontline positions, both say the updates have been unrealistic. 

DeepState shared a video on social media of a Russian soldier being killed in a drone strike in the village of Soloviove, arguing such footage was being used to mask a bigger picture. 

"You can watch with pleasure forever the video of a Russian [soldier] being torn to pieces, but nearby there is another location that requires attention: Muscovites calmly moving around the village, keeping it under control. 

"The [Ukrainian] Defence Forces inflict fire damage on them, and one can repeat at least a billion times that two-thirds of the village is under the control of the Ukrainian military, but the picture of reality is completely different." 

It appeared to be referring to a statement from Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesperson for Ukraine's military in the east, who also said the nearby village of Ocheretyne was still two-thirds controlled by Ukraine. 

However, DeepState says it believes Russian troops have been in control of the centre of Ocheretyne for at least three days. 

The site accused some military spokespersons of incompetence last week. 

Police have arrested a 57-year-old Russian on suspicion of murder following the killings yesterday evening, German news agency dpa reported. 

The two Ukrainians were 23 and 36 years old, and lived in the southern German county of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

They were killed at a shopping centre in the village of Murnau in Upper Bavaria.

The names of the victims and suspect have not been released due to German privacy rules. 

It is not clear if the men knew each other. 

More than one million Ukrainian refugees fled to Germany following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

Donald Trump's stance on Ukraine is "not as black and white as some people think", the Polish foreign minister has said. 

The former US president, who is running for election again this year, has said he will not commit to providing Ukraine with defence assistance. 

Republicans aligned with Mr Trump were also the reason behind a six-month delay to aid for Ukraine. 

But foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in an interview with the Axel Springer media company that Mr Trump had sent Ukraine anti-tank missiles before Russia's invasion "when others were not doing it". 

He was referring to Javelin anti-tank missiles supplied by the US in 2018. 

Mr Sikorski also said Mr Trump was "right in urging us all in Europe to spend more on defence".

He said he "did not hear any protests from Trump" once the $61bn aid package for Ukraine was approved. 

"So, I hope that candidate Trump has seen that this opposition to helping Ukraine is not actually popular in the United States, that it is harming his chances [to be re-elected]," he added.

Earlier we reported that a top Ukrainian general said troops had fallen back from three villages in the east of the country. 

We can now bring you more from Oleksandr Syrskyi, the chief of Ukraine's armed forces, about the situation on the ground.

Mr Syrskyi said the Donetsk region (in the east) remains one of the hottest sectors of the frontline as Russia continues its offensive.

He described the situation in the eastern cities of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove as "the most difficult one" now.

Russia is reportedly using up to four brigades (anywhere from an estimated 8,000 to 32,000 personnel) to conduct assault operations in the direction of both the cities, which lie west of Avdiivka, which was captured earlier this year. 

Mr Syrskyi said the situation is changing "dynamically" on the frontline as a result. 

Meanwhile, Mr Syrskyi said the situation in the south also remains "intense" as Russia tries to advance near the village of Krynky in Kherson.

It also wants to advance towards the villages of Robotyne and Verbove villages in Zaporizhzhia.

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