Staying for longer than 90 days without a visa in certain countries could mean you get hit with a three year travel banCountries in the Schengen area include Spain, France, Italy and Portugal(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Every year, millions of Brits flock to Spain to soak up the sun and enjoy their holidays. But new passport rules post-Brexit mean UK tourists could be hit with heavy travel penalties if they’re not careful.

It’s important for anyone planning to visit Spain to be well-informed about the rules to avoid any unforeseen repercussions. This is especially the case in the post-Brexit era, which has seen new regulations introduced in recent years.

Before the UK left the EU, British passport holders could enter Spain without needing to get their travel document stamped, and were allowed to stay for any duration. However, under current rules, UK travellers are limited to a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period in Spain, or any other Schengen Area country, the ECHO reports.

Additionally, travellers’ passports must have a “date of issue” within the last 10 years before their arrival date and an “expiry date” that is at least three months after their planned departure from the Schengen area.

According to Foreign Office advice, failing to comply with these regulations when visiting Spain or other Schengen countries, such as Greece, France, and Italy, may result in a lengthy ban.

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The Foreign Office guidance for Greece warns: “If you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.”

“If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.”

The Schengen area is made up of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden, as well as four non-EU nations: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

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