Brexit

Has the 90 days has its day?

The 90 day ruling has not gone down well in the United Kingdom

Spain has taken one step in the right direction, will it go all the way? | R.L.

Humphrey CarterPalma19/11/2021 10:40

Spain has scrapped its post-Brexit visa requirements for British touring performers in a win for the U.K. industry, but will it go all the way and scrap the 90 day ruling for all UK citizens coming to Spain?

The 90 day ruling has not gone down well in the United Kingdom.

For those who own businesses and second homes in Spain, it has made life extremely complicated and it has done little to encourage new property buyers or investors to come to Spain. Figures released yesterday by the Spanish tourist board Turespaña indicate that this winter, 3.5 million Britons will be coming to Spain, placing the U.K., as always, as the country’s largest and most important tourist market, so why is not Spain doing its best to make life easier for U.K. nationals?

It did a great job in helping Britons get through the residency permit changeover period, laying on extra staff and even granting an extension, so the Spanish government must surely realise how important the British are to Spain’s economy, the question is does it really appreciate it? If so, then scrap the 90 day ruling and the requirement to exchange a UK driving licence for a Spanish one. The French have decided to ditch it, so what can not Spain? Spain does appear to be aware of the issues facing Britons thanks to Brexit, so come on let’s get it all sorted as soon as possible.

The 90/180 day rule

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2 comments

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A | over 2 years ago

The "90 day" problem is a problem that affects part-year residents who live in one Schengen country for part of the year and who are now unable to travel, do business or even visit friends and family anywhere else in the Schengen zone. Someone with a part-year home in France, for example cannot even visit Mallorca now for a 1 week holiday. Someone who lives in Mallorca for 180 days of the year, can't even go to Switzerland for a weekend. It is about people who were legally residing in Spain (or other Schengen countries) since before Brexit for part of the year, either registered with all the right insurance and documents, or else using Freedom of Movement and keeping visits less than 90 days each. It is nothing to do with people who avoid their obligations; it is simply about people who have obligations elsewhere too. These people, who have made homes in Spain, do not deserve to suffer individually out just because the UK government decided to leave the EU, off the back of a questionable public referendum supported just 26% of the UK population at the time.

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Charlie | over 2 years ago

The arguments for tourists arriving for their two-week annual holiday, and for those who want all the benefits of residency without being resident, are totally separate issues. Everything should be done to make it easier for short term visitors in order to maximise the tourist experience and boost the industry, but those who own homes in Spain and want to live the life of Spanish residents should commit to Spain and not cherry pick the parts of Spanish legislation that they want to abide by.

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