Spain has issued a stern warning to non-resident British tourists: abide by the 90-day limit or face a three-year entry ban.
It comes as part of the stringent measures imposed by Spain and the European Union concerning the 180-day law for non-resident, non-European Union citizens.
Since Brexit, British citizens, along with individuals from other non-EU countries, have been subject to a maximum stay of 180 days in Spain, divided into two blocks of ninety days each.
While this regulation was primarily implemented to regulate immigration post-Brexit, it has posed challenges for non-resident holiday homeowners who can only spend a limited time in their Spanish properties.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in severe penalties, including hefty fines ranging from €500 (£427) to €10,000 (£854), depending on the duration of the overstay.
Additionally, offenders risk facing entry bans, prohibiting them from re-entering Spain or any other Schengen country for up to three years.
Efforts are underway to challenge the 180-day rule, with Spain aiming to garner support from all European Union member states.
However, until such changes are implemented, British tourists and other non-residents must adhere to the current regulations to avoid facing significant consequences.
According to a report in the Majorca Daily Bulletin, the 180-day reference period “is not fixed”.
“It is a moving window, based on the approach of looking backwards at each day of the stay, be it at the moment of entry or at the day of an actual check, such as inland police control or border check upon departure.
“It should be noted that periods of previous stay authorised under a residence permit or a long-stay visa are not taken into account in the calculation of the duration of visa-free stay.”
