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From Spain's point of view, a bit of a no-brainer. The longer they stay, the more they spend. Be interesting to see whether it will apply to visitors from other wealthy non-Schengen countries and if it can be used to allow more time in the other Schengen countries: Spain isn't the only country in Schengen with a large tourist industry, so who knows? Where was this media coverage, by the way
Unless I am mistaken, there is no indication that the current Spanish government as such has even started preliminary footwork at EU level to work for change of the 90 days rule for British tourists.Certainly not imminent
This was not all of what the Spanish minister for tourism said at the London tourism fair. He also said this:
Valdés also indicated that some European markets are beginning to see significant growth, up to 60%, in long-stay bookings in Spain, for trips of more than 22 days, compared to 2019. A phenomenon that may be partly due to the increase in energy costs forecast for this winter, which could be motivating some people to decide to spend long stays in warmer climates.I must admit that even I have been tentatively, but not very seriously, thinking about such a longer stay in Spain for myself and for the same reason.
With some luck, I've now actually managed to read the i News acticle with the interview with Spanish tourism minister Fernando Valdés. Quote:Be even more UK and German folks heading to the Canary Islands than normal!
Not going to happen would breach EU law.From Spain's point of view, a bit of a no-brainer. The longer they stay, the more they spend. Be interesting to see whether it will apply to visitors from other wealthy non-Schengen countries and if it can be used to allow more time in the other Schengen countries: Spain isn't the only country in Schengen with a large tourist industry, so who knows? Where was this media coverage, by the way?
I would not hold my breath.
The current flurry of articles in UK media is based on the fact that UK news outlet I News, on November 8, 2022, published an interview-based article with Spanish Tourism Secretary Fernando Valdés. The minister was in London for the World Travel Market 2022 event. The article is behind a paywall. The usually well informed Spanish website The Local ES provides some background:
“It is in Spain’s interest to get rid of the rule” and “lobby to convince [the EU] we can try to work an exception with them,” he is quoted as saying. Brexit news outlets the Daily Express and GB News have jumped on the story with headlines such as “Desperate Spain begs EU…”, which evidences how the ‘they need us more than them’ rhetoric is still alive for some.I've quoted this not in order to start a discussion but to provide some context because some of the news media who have picked this up from other news media make it sound as if such a change of rules is imminent and it will be a unilateral measure taken by Spain. This is not the case.
According to The Local ES, some areas of Spain such as Valencia have been lobbying the national Spanish government since last year to exempt Britons from the 90-day rule, mainly because of the numerous Britons who own holiday homes there or who want to stay for up to 6 months in one go (especially pensioners of all nationalities btw). The Local ES article also addresses bilateral agreements. Spain has old bilateral agreements with 19 non-EU countries that had been signed in the 1960s or earlier but the UK is not among them and it is legally not possible to conclude new bilateral agreements of this sort.
As Spain’s Tourism Secretary pointed out regarding changing the rules “we cannot do so unilaterally” and “the solution must come from them”, meaning the EU.In my albeit limited experience, the law-making mills of the EU grind very very slowly.
One issue that makes Spain less attractive than some other destinations (especially for older Brits) is the requirement not only for medical insurance, but also for a certificate of good health.All interesting stuff. Know they are keen to attract digital nomads too, I guess a new ‘boom group’ whose growth Covid has speeded up!
There is no need for the UK to enter a reciprocal agreement with the EU.Nice factual report Kathar1na no substance against EU law maybe Britain will enter a reciprocal arrangement with EU might have a chance.
I think that the Spanish law about start-ups and digital nomads will enter into force some time next year and all the details about the conditions for the visa attached to it are not yet known. And like other EU countries, Spain has a number of other longer term visa options: their Golden Visa and their Non Lucrative Visa which could certainly be combined with shorter or longer term Camino walking.they are keen to attract digital nomads too
Surely that understandable if you haven't paid into their tax and so healthcare system?One issue that makes Spain less attractive than some other destinations (especially for older Brits) is the requirement not only for medical insurance, but also for a certificate of good health.
I have 3 EU residence permits. They all required health insurance. Spain is the only one (so far) that has asked for a certificate of health.Surely that understandable if you haven't paid into their tax and so healthcare system?
I see the difference and agree that it certainly complicates the issue. It is certainly another issue of the dreaded 'B' where human issues were not taken into consideration. I live in France and certainly know of several retired couples who have sold up, because it makes a nonsense of having a holiday home if you cannot use it when you need/want to.I have 3 EU residence permits. They all required health insurance. Spain is the only one (so far) that has asked for a certificate of health.
Yes, it's understandable, but I know people who own property in Spain and because they have long-term health problems they are now limited to the 90-day rule. These people have no intention of relying on the Spanish health system. They travel to the UK for treatment on the NHS.
I really hope soStrictly non-political but lots of media coverage today about Spain wanting UK folks to be able to stay beyond 90/180 days etc. Been bubbling for a while but the Tourism Secretary made some comments in a recent interview! One to watch!
You are quite right. They call it mobility arrangements. It is mentioned in the 2020 Declaration about the Future Relationship: the Parties should establish mobility arrangements [..]. The mobility arrangements will be based on non-discrimination [...] and full reciprocity. I've not seen, however, that anything of the sort is in the make. They have other fish to fry at the moment ...maybe Britain will enter a reciprocal arrangement with EU might have a chance.
That be mainly for those who have either a second home or a holiday let in Spain where they escape our winter and spend half of the year in Spain , someone I know has said at the present time they only can stay for 3 months unless they extend it by coming home first then go back for another 3 months , I doubt that it has anything to do with anyone on the camino though .Strictly non-political but lots of media coverage today about Spain wanting UK folks to be able to stay beyond 90/180 days etc. Been bubbling for a while but the Tourism Secretary made some comments in a recent interview! One to watch!
For my journey this was my way out. Walk to Rome, back to Bilbao, hop the ferry back to the UK and then come back on the next ferry a couple of days later and do the Spanish part.someone I know has said at the present time they only can stay for 3 months unless they extend it by coming home first then go back for another 3 months
For my journey this was my way out. Walk to Rome, back to Bilbao, hop the ferry back to the UK and then come back on the next ferry a couple of days later and do the Spanish part.
I wonder if you can cross into Gibraltar to effect the
The current rules are that you can come for example from the uk for up to 90 days every 180 days before returning ..however if you stay for the entire 90 days then you have to wait a further 90 days before returning for another 90 days .hope this makes sense so in a nutshell you can only stay for 6 months in any one year .Strictly non-political but lots of media coverage today about Spain wanting UK folks to be able to stay beyond 90/180 days etc. Been bubbling for a while but the Tourism Secretary made some comments in a recent interview! One to watch!
The 90-day count is a rolling count. It does not work in 90-day chunks that must be re-set.The current rules are that you can come for example from the uk for up to 90 days every 180 days before returning ..however if you stay for the entire 90 days then you have to wait a further 90 days before returning for another 90 days .hope this makes sense so in a nutshell you can only stay for 6 months in any one year .
It doesn't reset the 90 days just by leaving the country, if you have done the full 90 days then you have to leave for 90 days before you come backFor my journey this was my way out. Walk to Rome, back to Bilbao, hop the ferry back to the UK and then come back on the next ferry a couple of days later and do the Spanish part.
I wonder if you can cross into Gibraltar to effect the same reset.
Not quite accurate. The 90-day count is a rolling count. It does not work in 90-day chunks that must be re-set.
Aren’t these two statements inconsistent? I confess that since I have an Irish passport, I am lucky not to have to deal wtih this issue, and so I tend to ignore the discussions, but I think it is very confusing.if you have done the full 90 days then you have to leave for 90 days before you come back
You are absolutely right! I am going to edit my posts and remove some of the quotes of my posts.If you have spent a full 90 days in Spain you need to leave the Schengen zone for a full 90 days before you return, because all those 90 days will be in the 180-day window. Even after a week or 2 you will not be able to return because you will still have 90 days already on the calendar.
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