If you’re moving to Spain and driving down through France, you probably already know about the Declaration of Entry (DDE). As we’ve mentioned in our main guide to the DDE, this little piece of paper is a big deal.
Because there are no “hard” borders between France and Spain, your passport won’t get stamped automatically. Without that stamp or a signed DDE, proving exactly when you arrived in Spain can be a nightmare for your residency application.
You’ve only got 72 hours to get it sorted, and while some airports like Alicante are helpful, waiting until you reach your final destination is risky.
Luckily, our fantastic clients have been sharing their “boots on the ground” tips, and we’ve found two foolproof ways to get your paperwork stamped as soon as you cross the border.
Option 1: The North Route (Irún)
If you’re coming through the north side of the Pyrenees (the Biarritz/San Sebastián side), Irún is your best friend.
Our trailblazing clients, Sylvia and Peter McDonald, were the first to test this out. They headed straight to the National Police office in Irún (just over the border) to ask for the DDE stamp. They were in and out in minutes and found the officers incredibly helpful.
It’s quick, easy, and means you can enjoy the rest of your drive down south knowing the “hard part” is done.
Upsticks Tip: Don’t wait until you get to your new home. Stop in Irún, get the stamp, and save yourself the stress of finding a police station later!
Option 2: The South Route (via Andorra)
If your sat-nav is taking you through the south side near Perpignan, finding a police station right on the motorway can be a bit trickier.
My colleague Jane and the team have a brilliant alternative for this route: Travel through Andorra.
Because Andorra isn’t in the EU/Schengen zone, they actually have active border controls. When you leave Andorra and enter Spain, you can simply ask the Spanish border guards to stamp your passport directly. This stamp counts as your legal proof of entry, meaning you don’t even need to worry about the separate DDE form. It’s a bit of a “geographic hack” that works like a charm.
Quick Checklist for your DDE:
Keep your receipts: Petrol or toll receipts from France help prove you just arrived.
Have your forms ready: If you’re going the Irún route, have your DDE form printed and ready to sign.
Don’t miss the window: Remember, you only have 72 hours from the moment you cross the border to get this done.
A huge thanks to Sylvia, Peter, Chris, and Rachel for sharing their experiences. It’s these tips from our community that make the move so much smoother for everyone else!
Safe travels, and we’ll see you in Spain!