Customs & Immigration
These phrases will help you smoothly navigate questions about your travel purpose, accommodation, and luggage when passing through customs and immigration.
Key Phrases
Buenas tardes, ¿me permite su pasaporte y la hoja de declaración de aduanas, por favor?
politeGood afternoon, may I have your passport and customs declaration form, please?
A standard, formal greeting you will hear from an immigration officer.
Vengo de vacaciones con mi familia para conocer los lugares turísticos más importantes.
neutralI'm here on vacation with my family to see the main tourist spots.
A clear, everyday way to state tourist intentions without sounding overly formal.
El motivo principal de mi viaje es asistir a una conferencia internacional de negocios.
politeThe main purpose of my trip is to attend an international business conference.
Use this structured phrasing if you are traveling for work or formal events.
¿Me podría decir por cuánto tiempo se va a quedar en el país esta vez?
politeCould you tell me how long you are going to stay in the country this time?
Officers often use the conditional ('podría') with 'usted' to maintain professional distance.
Me quedo dos semanas, pero mi vuelo de vuelta sale el domingo por la noche.
casualI'm staying for two weeks, but my return flight leaves on Sunday night.
Very natural phrasing for explaining exact, immediate travel plans to an officer.
Voy a permanecer aquí hasta que termine el curso de español que vine a tomar.
neutralI'm going to stay here until the Spanish course I came to take finishes.
Uses the present subjunctive ('termine') to accurately describe a future endpoint.
¿Cuál es la dirección exacta del lugar donde se va a alojar durante su viaje?
politeWhat is the exact address of the place where you'll be staying during your trip?
Be prepared to show your printed hotel booking or a friend's physical address.
Me voy a quedar en la casa de unos amigos que viven muy cerca de aquí.
casualI'm going to stay at some friends' house who live very close by.
Perfect for informal situations like staying with locals instead of a hotel.
Tengo una reserva confirmada en un hotel del centro, aquí tengo el documento impreso.
neutralI have a confirmed reservation at a downtown hotel, I have the printed document right here.
Offering the printed proof upfront proactively saves time and follow-up questions.
Para ingresar, es necesario que me muestre el billete de su vuelo de regreso.
politeTo enter, it is necessary for you to show me your return flight ticket.
Immigration frequently checks that you have concrete plans to leave the country.
Sí, por supuesto, aquí lo tiene abierto en la pantalla de mi teléfono celular.
neutralYes, of course, I have it open right here on my cell phone screen.
Use 'teléfono celular' (Latin America) or 'móvil' (Spain) to show a digital boarding pass.
¿Lleva consigo algún producto agrícola, alimentos frescos o algo más que sea necesario declarar?
politeAre you carrying any agricultural products, fresh food, or anything else that needs to be declared?
Listen carefully for key border control words like 'alimentos' (food) and 'declarar' (declare).
No, la verdad es que no tengo nada que declarar en mi equipaje de mano.
casualNo, to be honest I don't have anything to declare in my hand luggage.
A natural, relaxed way to smoothly confirm you have no restricted items.
Solamente traigo mis efectos personales y un par de regalos de poco valor.
neutralI'm only bringing my personal effects and a couple of low-value gifts.
Mentioning 'efectos personales' is the standard terminology expected at border control.