Possibility of Spain changing its 90-day rule

    Hello, I was hoping to get some of your thoughts on the possibility of Spain changing its 90-day rule, to follow suit with France. As you know the French Parliament has voted to extend the time we can stay there to six months, if we own a property there. It still has to be rubber-stamped by the constitutional council, however.
Do you think Spain will follow Spain?
Thank you
Best wishes
David
   

    -@davidvernem

There was talk of it, but it's anyone's guess if they follow suit. I don't think anyone here can really give you a firm yes or no.

@SimCityAT

Agreed! But I'd give a definite "maybe". :-)

Haha, we all live in hope.

Thank you

Best wishes

David

I’d put money on it happening .. date wise is tricky but oil always finds its way to market.

Thank you, Joe, I share your optimism.

@davidvernem

Hi David, just wondering if you know anything about when you are allowed to re-enter after the 3 months or if they change it to 6 months?

Regards, Freda

    @davidvernem
Hi David, just wondering if you know anything about when you are allowed to re-enter after the 3 months or if they change it to 6 months?
Regards, Freda
   

    -@Jackohartes

After 3 months you are allowed to enter for 3 months

@Jackohartes

Hi Freda, I'm not sure, but I'd imagine Spain may follow France, by simply extending the current three months to six. So, we can spend six continuous months in Spain...fingers crossed.

Best wishes

David

@davidvernem

Hi David,

Whilst Spain's Tourism Minister and Comunidad Valenciana's regional president have lobbied the EU for this extension, they have both publically acknowledged in the press here that this is not a decision that Spain can make unilaterally.  I suspect that is because, while France is a net contributor to the EU, Spain is a net beneficiary.  In other words, don't hold your breath.

Kind regards,

Kim

@MinuteByMinute

Oh I see. So it probably won't be as clear cut as France. What a shame.

Thank you

Best wishes

David

They are back to square one in France as the French court blocked the change. So they are only allowed to stay 90 days out of 180.

@MinuteByMinute Whether Spain is a net contributor or beneficiary to the EU has absolutely nothing to do with how EU policy or laws are agreed upon. The EU decision making process involves the European Parliament, Council of European Union and the European commission.  The population of the country has more influence than any other factor on it's "clout" within the EU institutions.  Spain is one of the largest contributors to the EU budget, contributing 12.4 billion euros in 2021. It is the 4th largest economy in EU and 14th largest in the world. There would be no EU without it.

Europe's largest national economies by nominal GDP over US$1.0 trillion are:

• Germany ($4.43 trillion),
• United Kingdom ($3.33 trillion),
• France ($3.05 trillion),
• Italy ($2.19 trillion),
• Russia ($1.86 trillion),
• Spain ($1.58 trillion)
• Netherlands ($1.09 trillion)

@SimCityAT This still places Spain as the 4th largest economy in the EU. Neither the UK nor Russia are currently members.

@Conor55

Bless the naive, you live amongst us; nevertheless, you're entitled to your opinion - and so am I.

    @SimCityAT This still places Spain as the 4th largest economy in the EU. Neither the UK nor Russia are currently members.
   

    -@Conor55

You still have no idea how the EU works!!

@SimCityAT

I was surprised how quickly the Court made the decision - under French constitutional law, they had up to a month.  Personally, I don't believe wrapping up the amendment into Macron's highly controversial Immigration Bill - whether for expediency or 'cover' - helped, with the view of Minister Delegate Mme Firmin-Le Bodo expressed in her concluding remarks:

"Finally, I will express an unfavorable opinion on amendment No. 336 rectified  bis from Ms Imbert, which tends to create a new visa."

This suggests to me that, even if the supporters can bring it back as a new Bill, there's every likelihood that it will be challenged constitutionally again as, rather than simply providing administrative expediency, it would appear to favour UK passport holders over other Third Country Nationals.

In the meantime, British media channels in Spain continue to regurgitate the words of the former Tourism Minister, Reyes Maroto, attributing them to Spain's current Tourism Minister, despite them being more than a year old, but unfortunately there is no evidence that the Spanish government is currently lobbying the EU for a long-stay visa for UK citizens.