Brits have been unfairly "punished by Brexit"
Acknowledging the negative impact of this rule, Hector Gomez, Spain's acting Minister of Tourism, stated, "It is in our interest to lobby and convince the EU that we can try to work an exception with them. But the solution must come from them."
This positive development follows France's Senate voting through an amendment to the immigration law, granting British second homeowners an automatic right to a long-stay visa. French politicians emphasised that UK tourists had been unfairly 'punished by Brexit.'
Andrew Hesselden, Campaign Director of '180 Days in Spain,' expressed delight at the French Senate's recognition of the situation, hoping for a similar outcome in Spain. The campaign advocates for free movement for Brits in Spain.
UK is still Spain's biggest tourist market
Recent discussions between Hector Gomez and the UK's Director of Consular Affairs and Crisis, Jennifer Anderson, suggest progress in Spain. Gomez reported an 'important meeting' where they discussed issues related to the stays of British tourists in Spain, including the 90-day cap.
The UK holds significant importance for Spain's tourism market, being its biggest and most profitable source. Last year, almost double the number of Brits visited Spain compared to German tourists. Data from Spain's National Institute of Statistics reveals that two million UK residents travelled to Spain, constituting 23.8% of the total visitors.
The current Schengen Area rules limit non-EU citizens, including those from the UK, to a maximum stay of 90 days out of every 180 days. Overstaying may result in penalties, including fines up to €10,000 and jail terms, causing distress for Brits with properties in Spain and France.
French government to debate the amendment imminently
In France, Martine Berthet, a senator from the Savoie region in east France, proposed a change to the rules after hearing complaints from Britons with holiday homes in the area. She emphasised that the existing system is cumbersome, hindering British citizens from contributing to France's economy and potentially leading to a rise in vacant properties in tourist regions.
While the amendment still needs debate in France's National Assembly and faces opposition from Emmanuel Macron's government, it marks a positive step towards addressing the challenges faced by British second home owners. The proposed change reflects a growing understanding of the vital economic and cultural contributions of British residents in these popular European destinations.
Gemma Coles, CEO at Kyero says “the recent developments are an extremely positive step towards addressing the challenges faced by British second home owners since Brexit, and reflect a growing understanding of the vital economic and cultural contributions of British residents in Europe.
While there is still some way to go, the indications are that there may be good news to come for those who have already bought overseas properties in Europe, as well as those considering making the move.”
This 90 day rule is holding me back from purchasing a property in Spain hopefully they can come up with something better for all