Spain holiday hope for Brits as country plans to scrap hated anti-UK travel rule

SPAIN is hoping to scrap a rule for Brits that limits the amount of time they can stay in the country.

Tourists from outside the EU are currently only permitted to visit Schengen countries for a total of 90 days within a 180-day period.

2

However, Spanish authorities admit there have been “problems” with Brits wanting to stay longer and that it is in their interests to scrap the rule.

With tourism massively important for Spain’s economy, and Brits some of their most frequent visitors, they want to allow Brits to stay as long as they want.

But it is something they will have to agree with the EU before they can make any changes.

Spanish Tourism Secretary Fernando Valdés said that Spain will lobby Brussels to convince them to get rid of the limit.

He told the i paper: “Unfortunately, it is not something Spain has established by itself or can get rid of.

“It is true that after Brexit some problems have emerged with people wanting to stay longer.

“It is in our interest to lobby and convince the EU we can try to work an exception with them. But the solution must come from them.”

It is not the only rule to affect Brits heading to Europe post-Brexit.

British holidaymakers will be charged €7 (£6) to visit the Schengen Area as part of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) which is scheduled to begin next year.

The new EU rule comes into force in November 2023 and it is estimated that it could cost holiday makers collectively €275 million (£240m) each year.

Worryingly, new research has revealed that 65 per cent of Brits haven’t even heard of ETIAS, which is being brought in specifically for short trips to the EU. 

Just seven per cent of Brits know the cost and date for the introduction of the new visa-waiver, which suggests people could get caught-out by the new travel rules.

As part of the rule, millions of Brits will be required to apply for visa-waivers each year.

They will need to complete online applications before travelling to the Schengen Area, costing €7 (£6) per person to obtain the paperwork.

The Schengen Area guarantees free movement for most EU countries and includes popular holiday destinations such as Spain, France, and Greece.

However, as the UK sits outside of the area, Brits travelling abroad to Europe will need to pay the fare.

The new travel rules are expected to come into force in November 2023. Each visa-waiver will remain valid for 90 days.

Meanwhile, Brits have been warned that the new visa-waiver scheme could easily lead to them being scammed.

And consumer expert Martin Lewis has warned Brits about roaming charges in Europe post-Brexit.

2