With the end of the “Golden Visa” scheme, many clients are asking us: so now what? Which options do we have for spending more time in our Spanish home without having to become tax residents?
Current law allows UK tourists to spend 90 out of every 180 days in Spain, without having to apply for any permits or visas. There are tools such as the 90/180 calculator which help keep a tab on the permitted time: https://ninety180.com/
The authorities have announced that as from 12th October a new biometric passport control system will be enforced, which will replace manual passport stamps. With this change, the authorities will keep a digital control of travellers entering and leaving the country, which will make it easier for them to detect those who have exceeded the 90-day rule.
What’s more, in 2026 the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be introduced, which will be mandatory for non-visa holders from outside the EU (similar to the ETA – Electronic Travel Authorisation, which has been enforced in the United Kingdom since April) for short stays, including leisure and business trips, family visits or flight layovers.