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90 day return to UK

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cherylpconnolly

Hi,


My husband and I are planning to retire in Spain in 2026. We intend buying a house and applying for Visa and then eventually residency permit. I have heard that we can only spend so much time in Spain and will be required to return to UK for 90 days periodically. Is this true?

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stevestanton1964

You are permitted a rolling 90 days in 180 in the whole  of the Schengen area so for example a week in Italy would be counted as part of your 90 days. What visa will you be applying for?

SimCityAT

Hi,
My husband and I are planning to retire in Spain in 2026. We intend buying a house and applying for Visa and then eventually residency permit. I have heard that we can only spend so much time in Spain and will be required to return to UK for 90 days periodically. Is this true? - @cherylpconnolly

If you are in Spain as a tourist then yes you are limited to 90 days out of 180 days. That also includes the Schengen zone. So basically you can stay in Spain for 90 days then return to the UK for 90 days, then come back to Spain for 90 days.


But if you have a visa and are resident then no, you don't have a limit, you can stay as long as your visa is valid.

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