Now that the UK has left the European Union, British passport holders are third-country citizens. Although it was agreed relatively early on in the negotiations that UK passport holders would not need a visa to enter EU territory, how British citizens travel in Europe will change.
The most significant change is the length of time British citizens can spend in Europe. UK passport holders are now subject to the 90/180-day rule: they can spend a maximum of 3 months in Spain or any other Schengen nation, in any 180-day period.
The other major change will come into force 2026. British nationals, as visa-exempt third-country nationals, will need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver before travelling to Spain.
ETIAS is not a visa and will be faster and easier to obtain. It will be a mandatory entry requirement for holidaymakers from the UK.
Travel to Spain from the UK: how it is now
Until the launch of the ETIAS for Spain, UK nationals can continue entering Spanish territory using just a passport. At the moment, no additional permit is required.
Nevertheless, UK tourists should be aware of stricter passport requirements as a result of Brexit. Before planning a trip to Spain, travellers should check that their passport:
- Is valid for at least 6 months
- Was issued in the last 10 years
The other aspect to keep in mind is the limited maximum stay. UK nationals are permitted to spend no more than 90 days in Spain, or elsewhere in the Schengen Area, in a 180-day period.
This is particularly relevant to UK citizens with a second residence in Spain. It is no longer possible to spend extended periods at the holiday home without obtaining residency.
Do UK citizens need an ETIAS for Spain following Brexit?
The effect of Brexit on travelling to Spain from the UK will be more noticeable once ETIAS is launched. From [date_etias], the ETIAS system will be up and running for citizens of visa-exempt non-EU countries, including the UK.
ETIAS is not a visa but instead a travel authorisation that will allow eligible travellers to visit territories within the Schengen Area for tourism, business, and transit purposes.
The new visa waiver has been developed to boost security across the EU. Applicants from the UK and over 50 other eligible countries will be pre-screened before crossing an external EU border. ETIAS will improve safety for visitors and locals by preventing potentially dangerous individuals from accessing the Schengen Area legally.
Applying for ETIAS for Spain as a UK citizen
UK nationals will be required to apply for ETIAS in the same way as other non-EU visitors. Fortunately, the application process will be fully online with no need to present paperwork in person at an embassy or consulate.
There are just 3 steps to completing the ETIAS for Spain application:
- Fill in the ETIAS Spain application form
- Pay the ETIAS Spain fee
- Submit the application for review
Provided all the ETIAS requirements are met, most applications from the UK will be approved almost immediately. The ETIAS visa waiver is then linked to the traveller’s passport electronically and remains valid for 3 years, or until the passport expires, whichever happens first.
The permit is valid for multiple trips from the UK to Spain or elsewhere in the Schengen Area, up to a maximum of 90 days per 180-day period.
Conditions for ETIAS to be implemented in UK
Since being granted an ETIAS authorisation basically means the possibility to be allowed entry into Schengen territories visa-free, the European condition of reciprocity must apply.
Under EU regulation, visa exemption is granted by the EU only to countries that in return apply the same policy to EU citizens.
This means that Britons will be able to apply for an ETIAS Spain for UK citizens only if Spaniards will be allowed to visit the United Kingdom visa-free. So far, the UK government has informed the EU that they do not intend to require visas for EU citizens following Brexit.
Of course, the ETIAS is meant for short stays only (and not permanent immigration purposes) and the same is to be expected for the visa-free system that the UK will implement for EU passport holders.
Should the UK introduce visa requirements for citizens of an EU country, the condition of reciprocity would be violated. The other EU members and the European Parliament would then proceed to review the situation and potentially pause the ETIAS program for British nationals. In that case, visa-free entry to Spain would be at risk.
Other changes to travelling to Spain after Brexit
In addition to the new ETIAS requirement for Spain, British nationals should also be aware of some other changes that came into effect on January 1st 2021.
Healthcare for UK citizens in Spain after Brexit
The deal made between the UK and the EU on December 24th 2020 states that EHIC cards issued before the end of 2020 will remain valid until their expiry date.
This means that British citizens can continue to use their EHIC card to receive healthcare in Spain. When an EHIC expires it will be replaced by the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), further details are yet to be announced.
Nevertheless, Brits are now advised to take out travel insurance before heading to Spain.
Taking pets to Spain from the UK
Pet owners who wish to take an animal to Spain now need to obtain an animal health certificate (AHC) and get all relevant vaccinations.
It will take at least 1 month to make all the necessary arrangements.
Mobile roaming charges for UK citizens in Spain
Guaranteed free mobile roaming in Spain has ended as a result of Brexit. Travellers should check roaming charges with their mobile operator before travelling to Spanish territory.
There is a new law which protects Brits spending more than £45 abroad: users will need to opt-in to continue using their mobile phone once this limit has been reached.
Travel to Gibraltar from the UK after Brexit
It was agreed that Gibraltar will join the Schengen Area. This will allow residents of Gibraltar freedom of movement in Spain and other Schengen nations. Avoiding passport checks was considered vital considering the number of people travelling between Gibraltar and Spain on a daily basis for work purposes.
As the UK is not part of the Schengen zone, British citizens travelling from the United Kingdom will need to go through passport control.
British passport holders are advised to stay up to date with all the latest travel information for Spain when planning their next trip.
