For example, if you enter Spain on January 1st and spend 90 days in the country until June 30th, you cannot return to Spain until at least the end of September.
Can British citizens still buy property in Spain after Brexit?
Yes, British citizens still have the same rights to buy property in Spain as they enjoyed before Brexit. Buying a property in Spain remains smooth and uncomplicated. Citizens of the United Kingdom continue to be the leading overseas property owners in Spain, followed by Germans and Frenchmen. What has changed is that the rules for staying visa-free in Spain changed radically for British citizens after Brexit. Since the British are no longer EU citizens, the Schengen 90/180-day rule applies when visiting Spain.
How do the 90 days count?
The clock starts ticking when you first enter Schengen independently of the country. So, if you fly to the Costa del Sol, the 90 days start as soon as you arrive at Malaga Airport, but if you travel by car from the UK, you need to calculate the days from when you enter France - not the moment you enter Spain.
Do I Have To Stay For 90 Consecutive Days?
No, you can choose to your allocated 90 days in one three-month-long stay or you could take several short breaks in Spain between January 1st and June 29th (180 days), spending a different amount of time on each.
What happens when 90 days have passed?
You must leave Spain (and the Schengen area) immediately. Because once the 90-day allocation has been exhausted, European law requires that British citizens leave the EU without exceeding the mandatory limit and not return to any country within the Schengen Area until a further 90 days have passed. Once you leave, you cannot return without a visa until an additional 90 days have passed. There are heavy penalties for staying longer than the 90-day limit.
What if I want to stay in Spain for longer than 90 days?
If you wish to be in Spain for more than 90 days every 180 days, you must apply for a visa before entering the country. There’s a variety of visa options for both short and long-term stays. Read about the Spanish Golden visa.