Things have changed after Brexit
Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Scots(Image: Andrew Fox via Getty Images)
Every year hundreds of thousands of Scots visit Spain for beach holidays and city breaks, keen to soak up some sunshine and enjoy some Spanish culture. The popular European destination has consistently remained the top choice for UK tourists, with Spain set to attract significant numbers of holidaymakers once again in 2026.
Going on holiday is an exciting time, but it’s important to be properly prepared before heading to Spain and other Schengen zone countries. This is particularly important post-Brexit, as new rules have come in in recent years.
Before the UK left the EU, British passport holders, including those across Scotland, could enter Spain without needing their documents to be stamped. There were also no restrictions on how long they could stay in Spain.
Now, though, UK passport holders can spend no more than 90 days in any 180-day period within Spain, or indeed any other Schengen Area nation. UK passports must show a “date of issue” no older than 10 years before arrival, and an “expiry date” at least three months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen zone.
The Foreign Office warns that breaching these requirements when travelling to Spain or other Schengen nations, including Greece, France, and Italy, could lead to a prolonged ban. Advice reads: “If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.”
The Schengen zone includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.