Currently, non-EU visitors are only allowed to visit Schengen area countries for 90 days in every 180 day period but Spain is set to ask EU authorities to relax this rule for British holidaymakers.

The news site affirmed that “Anyone who wishes to extend their stay beyond this must apply for a long-stay visa of up to six months. Those who overstay, be it intentionally or unintentionally, can face hefty penalties in Spain, including fines of up to €10,000 and jail terms.

They could also be subject to deportation and entry bans, with the post-Brexit restrictions proving a nightmare for thousands of Brits with properties across Spain and France.”

According to Euronews, the restriction works against Spain’s interests, Spanish Tourism Secretary Fernando Valdés said.

“Unfortunately, [the rule] is not something Spain has established by itself or can get rid of,” he told the i newspaper.

“It is true that after Brexit some problems have emerged with people wanting to stay longer.”

“It is in our interest to lobby and convince [the EU] we can try to work an exception with them. But the solution must come from them,” he said.

Spain’s biggest influx of tourists comes from the UK, as data shows 23.8% of its visitors last year came from the UK, according to Spain's National Institute of Statistics (INE).

According to The Telegraph, this news from Spain comes just days after France’s senate voted to amend immigration law, giving British second homeowners the automatic right to a long-stay visa. French politicians said they had voted the amendment through for those who had been “punished by Brexit”.

The senate, France’s second chamber, has voted through an amendment to the country’s new immigration law giving British second homeowners the automatic right to a long-stay visa.

Since Brexit, all British nationals including those with a home in France – have only been able to stay 90 days out of every 180 without a visa. If they want to stay any longer, Britons have to apply for a temporary long-stay visa of up to six months.

Martine Berthet, a French senator argued that keeping British citizens from contributing to France’s economy would just add to an already–rising number of vacant properties in tourist areas.

According to LBC news, Andrew Hesselden, Campaign Director and founder of '180 Days in Spain', which campaigns for Brits' free movement in Spain, shared his thoughts over the decision in France - aligning with his campaign's goals.

He said he was “delighted to see French senators recognise the injustice of the situation that British part-year residents have found themselves in since Brexit”.

Now developments appear to be happening in Spain, with Gomez confirming earlier this week that he had held an 'important meeting' with the UK's Director of Consular Affairs and Crisis, Jennifer Anderson, at the Foreign Office.

The pair 'discussed issues of interest regarding the stays of British tourists in Spain and discussed collaboration projects for future seasons,' he said. This is understood to have included the 90-day cap.

Author

Following undertaking her university degree in English with American Literature in the UK, Cristina da Costa Brookes moved back to Portugal to pursue a career in Journalism, where she has worked at The Portugal News for 3 years. Cristina’s passion lies with Arts & Culture as well as sharing all important community-related news.

Cristina da Costa Brookes