By John Ensor • Published: 23 Dec 2023 • 8:45
Spanish - British cooperation. Credit: Casablanca Stock/Shutterstock.com
Is Spain set to follow France’s decision and relax its strict 90-day stay rule for UK nationals?
Recent developments indicate a shift in policy following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, particularly affecting British homeowners in Spain.
Recently, it has emerged that the Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Hector Gomez, hinted at potential changes.
He referred to a discussion with Jennifer Anderson, Director of Consular Affairs and Crisis at the Foreign Office, focusing on the stays of British visitors to Spain.
After Brexit, UK citizens became subject to a 90-day limit within a 180-day period for stays in the EU, which particularly impacted those with second homes on the continent.
Violating this limit could lead to fines, immediate departure orders, or deportation. Spain’s consideration of lifting this cap follows a similar move by France, where the Senate has approved a bill amendment granting long-stay visas to British second-home owners.
This proposed change, advocated by Senatrice Martine Berthet, aims to facilitate longer stays for British homeowners in France, subject to the 90-day rule only when visiting other Schengen countries.
The UK has reached a bilateral agreement with France, simplifying travel for French students on school trips to Britain. From December 28, EU nationals in French schools can enter the UK with just an ID card, and non-EU students in France won’t need a costly visa.
In Spain, there are between 800,000 and one million UK property owners, primarily in the south. Of these, only around 370,000 are registered residents with the freedom to travel without restrictions. The French Senate’s decision has sparked hope among British expatriates.
Reportedly, Andrew Hesselden, Director of the ‘180 Days in Spain’ campaign remains optimistic about Spain following suit. He stated, ‘We hope that UK, Spanish and French politicians will engage with us now to understand the issues fully and work with us to find the best possible solutions.
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Originally from Doncaster, Yorkshire, John now lives in Galicia, Northern Spain with his wife Nina. He is passionate about news, music, cycling and animals.
Good for news and infomation
In the past it seemed that Spain was prevented by the Schengen Agreement at EU level from offering longer visas to home owners from third countries like the U.K. If France found a way to offer visas for home owners, it will open the door to Spain. This still means extra paperwork and expense each time you apply for a visa greater than 90 days (which isn’t needed for citizens of countries inside the free travel area). Rejoining the free travel area (which Northern Ireland has already done through the Windsor Agreement) would make more sense for the UK, removing all the paperwork, I’m sure the EU, car manufacturers and many export businesses in the UK as well as tourists and homeowners would be delighted if the UK government opens talks to expand Windsor framework to other parts of UK. It’s a question of time before we all seek a common sense approach.
Thank you for the update . About time Europe and the Uk adjusted the stays to 6 months . Better for all concerned particularly the Spanish holiday /property sales economy .
Let’s hope that the Spanish government see sense.. before all the British holiday home owners sell up one of the biggest problems they will need to deal with is a if 180 day continues is not granted when the French government have already granted this to UK holiday home owner is this would look like to people like that i am no longer welcome.
As a home Owner come on let’s get this done so we all can benefit
There is no such decision by France. There is one bit of the highly controversial immigration law, which states that the rule shall occasionally be reviewed. You should report accurately.
Hi. Have a look at the previous article we published on the French government’s decision – https://euroweeklynews.com/2023/12/21/brits-in-france-win-right-to-stay-longer-than-90-days/ – where we say that the decision is subject to approval and may be overturned.
If France has genuinely increased the stay to 6 months then Spain should definitely do the same. To me personally I believe that people who have committed serious money to buying a home in Spain are not your average tourist. I often hear snide comments from readers of the EWN saying Britain left the EU therefore they should be punish, how childish is that. But I am sure many of the Spanish property owners who are restricted to the 90 days did not vote Brexit, they put money into Spain and spend money when they are here to the benefit of Spain. So please Spain just extend the stay to 6 month, it can only be a win win for Spain.
What about us British people that go to Spain with our touring caravans and used to stay int winter time up to six months. We can only stay for 90days and that includes our travel days of 3 days each way. So we only have 84 days in Spain.
Absolute 💯 👍 agree…otherwise home owners will sell up and move elsewhere 😴
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