Spain food restrictions

[Skipperjohn]

We are hoping to take our motorhome to Spain in the New Year but though we know that we cannot take any foods containing meat or dairy products i , exactly how far does this ruling apply i.e. flavoured noodles and crisps , custard powder, biscuits and cakes etc etc. We will stop on the aires on the way but the shops are usually closed by the time we arrive . I have checked websites but I am still not sure as to how far these rules are enforced ? There must be something we can take to eat from the van when we first arrive ?

 

[Two of usI]

We are hoping to take our motorhome to Spain in the New Year but though we know that we cannot take any foods containing meat or dairy products i , exactly how far does this ruling apply i.e. flavoured noodles and crisps , custard powder, biscuits and cakes etc etc. We will stop on the aires on the way but the shops are usually closed by the time we arrive . I have checked websites but I am still not sure as to how far these rules are enforced ? There must be something we can take to eat from the van when we first arrive ?

We drove down thro' France and into Spain early Sept. we had no checks at all.... passing into Spain over the border no-one was the least bit interested........... however....... not sure what would have happened if we were stopped as we had loads of stuff !!!!!

 

[Skipperjohn]

Many thanks for the September update. It seems a minefield as things like milk and eggs are in just about everything never mind the smokey bacon crisps !

 

[sciac2001]

Buy in Spain.
The quality of everything is so much better.. and cheaper.
Eggs taste like they used to and the fresh milk is so much creamier.

 

[NicandJay]

Skipperjohn ... we came into France via the tunnel 31 October with what would be considered contraband... milk, butter, eggs, corned beef(?), frozen pigs in blankets and other items apparently banned. No one checked inside our van at all... however no one can guarantee that you wont be picked on

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[violet]

We had our easiest Tunnel crossing ever after we spent ages working out what we could take, and the vaccination records and attestation d'honneur. Not one thing was checked! However everything might have been checked!
We were arriving on a Sunday afternoon so knew there would be no shops or restaurants. We took bananas, a couple of tins of tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and a jar of honey. These are all allowed. We bought milk and some bread from a garage once we got there. However, like you, we find the EU advice not sufficiently detailed. It does sound as if only live plants are restricted so it might be that tins of soup (as long as no milk) and processed vegetables might be ok. I have sent an email asking for more information but to no avail. It would be useful to know if anyone has had better success at clarification.

 

[Grianan]

We travelled to France so same rules. We were serving lunchtime Sunday so knew we’d not get to a shop till the next day. We Took a veggie dinner with couscous so didn’t need fresh veg. We also had oat milk in case of emergencies. As it was no one checked so we had enough milk for tea/coffee, butter and cheese for the baguettes. We always take a couple of tens of tuna for emergencies but never eat it.

 

[Lenny HB]

Loaded the fridge & freezer as normal, no problems.

 

[Landy Andy]

All food, and dog food as normal. No issues.

 

[Itsmcb]

To be honest, on our trip back at the end of September we just loaded up as normal, milk, butter, smoked Salmon, etc, even a strawberry trifle. Never gave it a thought.

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[Abacist]

I can’t see the problem. We arrived by ship to Santander and googled the nearest supermarket and went there and bought everything we needed

 

[scotzsue]

I can’t see the problem. We arrived by ship to Santander and googled the nearest supermarket and went there and bought everything we needed

Are they open 24/7 ?

 

[Reallyretired]

The rules allow you to have food aboard for your own consumption, as long as you don't plan on unloading it in the EU. There's no guarantee that any jobsworth who might check you will know this, the well publicised example of the lorry drivers ham sandwich springs to mind.

 

[nicholsong]

We drove down thro' France and into Spain early Sept. we had no checks at all.... passing into Spain over the border no-one was the least bit interested........... however....... not sure what would have happened if we were stopped as we had loads of stuff !!!!!

There would be no restrictions passing from France to Spain, only entering France.

 

[Richard n Ann]

We took food as normal into France via the tunnel, they aren't interested in what's in your fridge or any food. We took the motorway into Spain so there's no border. (AP7 is free now down through Spain)