Each year, millions of British tourists flock to Spain, drawn by its sunny climate and vibrant culture. Spain has long been the UK’s favourite holiday destination, and it continues to attract large numbers of British visitors with the outlook for 2026 remaining strong. However, recent changes in travel rules mean UK travellers must be vigilant to avoid serious consequences.
Since Brexit, the travel landscape between the UK and European countries has transformed significantly. Before the UK left the EU, British passport holders could enter Spain without their passports being stamped and without any limit on how long they could stay. Now, new regulations limit UK visitors to a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period across Spain and all other Schengen Area countries.
Additionally, travellers must ensure their passports meet specific criteria: the passport’s date of issue must be within the last 10 years, and its expiry date must extend at least three months beyond the traveller’s planned departure from the Schengen zone. Failure to comply with these rules, such as overstaying the 90-day allowance, can trigger severe penalties.
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According to guidance from the UK Foreign Office, overstaying may result in being banned from entering any Schengen country for up to three years. This rule applies not only to Spain but also countries like France, Greece, Italy, and many others in the Schengen Area.
The Schengen Area comprises 27 European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and several others.
British travellers planning trips to these countries should carefully check their travel documents and the duration of their stay to avoid the risk of a prolonged ban.