Millions of Brits are set to visit Spain this summer, but the 90-day rule and passport requirements could result in lengthy bans for non-compliance
There are new travel rules people with a UK passport need to be aware of(Image: Eve Livesey via Getty Images)
Millions of Britons jet off to Spain annually, eager to bask in the sunshine and immerse themselves in Spanish culture. The European destination has consistently remained the top choice for UK tourists, with another bumper summer anticipated this year.
Whilst the prospect of a holiday is thrilling, it’s crucial for those heading to Spain to be properly informed before departure. This is particularly vital in the post- Brexit landscape, which has ushered in fresh regulations over recent years.
Prior to Britain’s EU exit, British passport holders could enter Spain without requiring their travel documents to be stamped and faced no time restrictions on their stays. However, current rules now restrict UK visitors to a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period in Spain or any other Schengen Area nation.
Furthermore, travellers’ passports must show a “date of issue” no more than 10 years before their arrival date and an “expiry date” at least three months beyond their intended departure from the Schengen zone. The Foreign Office warns that failure to meet these requirements when visiting Spain or other Schengen nations, including Greece, France and Italy, could lead to a substantial ban.
The Foreign Office’s advice for those travelling to Greece states: “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.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
“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 comprises 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, along with four non-EU nations: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.