Travel to Spain and Portugal for 6 months

[PMB]

Good afternoon,
Having spoken to many like minded motorhomers over the years, now we have retired, we are wanting to travel to Spain and Portugal for 6 months from September for the winter period.
I do not understand the new rules since we removed ourselves from the EU.
Is there a way round this.
How can we simply do this.

 

[Ernesto]

Good afternoon,
Having spoken to many like minded motorhomers over the years, now we have retired, we are wanting to travel to Spain and Portugal for 6 months from September for the winter period.
I do not understand the new rules since we removed ourselves from the EU.
Is there a way round this.
How can we simply do this.

Right now, I believe the answer is you can’t. The only way around it would be to become a Spanish or Portuguese resident, and that contravenes your “simple” condition. Potentially you could apply for a visa but again not simple or cheap I believe - if you search visas there are several threads discussing this in depth on the forum
The Uk offered EU citizens 6 months, they declined to reciprocate for UK residents ... they are treating the Uk exactly the same way they treat any other country ie US, Australia etc
That may change in the future but it may not. Some of the southern club med countries may decide the revenue is too much to lose ... but suspect France won’t budge as they’re really not happy the Uk left.

 

[PMB]

So what is the plan for motorhomers who spend a long winter period abroad.
There must be a way round these crazy rules?

 

[denisejoe]

The only way round the 90/180 days is to move into a non-Shenigan country for 90 days. You can't do 180 days in one go so looks like no way anyone can spend 6 months in Spain/Portugal.

 

[ivorantony]

Rules are rules and it’s there ball to take home if they want, spend your money elsewhere is a good option IMO

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[LiquidLunch]

There is no way around it rules is rules, at the moment anyway things may change.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

So what is the plan for motorhomers who spend a long winter period abroad.
There must be a way round these crazy rules?

Its “their” ‘crazy’ rules.....go somewhere else

 

[Ernesto]

Croatia is non Schengen at the moment I believe - so 3 months there and 3 months in Spain/Portugal might be possible I guess?
Edit - Croatia are in the process of joining Schengen so not a long term solution at all

It could be argued that if the EU gave us 180 days, then why not US citizens as well ... but I don’t believe we have the right to stay 180 days in the US either?

 

[ChrisL]

The three (coldest) months in Morocco and three within Schengen and then back home for three months is my plan, then perhaps two more months in Schengen and back home for Christmas, that'll leave me with a month to get back to Morocco for the next year. It's a plan, and like all plans it may require modification, we shall see

 

[jumartoo]

The Schengen rules for third countries have been in place since the 1990's. The UK have put themselves into that category. The UK could, and did, put in place their own rule. They chose 180 days in one go, primarily, it's supposed, to enable workers to come to pick the fruit and veggies from the fields. Not for holiday makers.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Tombola]

It could be argued that if the EU gave us 180 days, then why not US citizens as well ... but I don’t believe we have the right to stay 180 days in the US either?

I thought 6 months is the US rule for most but having justlooked it isnt as easy as that ??

 

[Gaston aires]

I wonder how many people voted for Brexit and didn’t see this coming ?

 

[busby]

So what is the plan for motorhomers who spend a long winter period abroad.
There must be a way round these crazy rules?

Spain/Morocco...BUSBY.

 

[EuroTrotters]

I realise most people are referring to motorhome stays in Schengen.

Bu there are other options worldwide if you simply wanted to escape the cold.

 

[monzer]

I wonder how many people voted for Brexit and didn’t see this coming ?

oh oh, you've said the B word

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Mikeco]

Apart from last year we have wintered in Spain for 6 months from 2008 and really enjoyed it especially in the the earlier years with the Camping Club rally’s at La Manga. We decided last year to reduce it to 3 months for various reasons and look forward to doing the same this year from January to March. There will be many people disappointed that 6 months is not currently an option and I can understand why but at the moment there does not appear to be a way around it apart from going to Morocco.

 

[PJGWiltshire]

By chance do either if you have parents who are from Ireland. If you do you are by birth Irish citizens and you can apply for an Irish passport. Straight forward and only cost me £90. If one of you have the other can apply for citizenship through marriage Hope that helps

 

[ChrisL]

I wonder how many people voted for Brexit and didn’t see this coming ?

Personally I thought they would have brought in a non working visa for extended stays, providing you have sufficient funds to keep yourself and have health insurance, as that way they would not have lost income from retirees wishing to over winter in Southern Europe, however I'm just as happy to spend my pension in Morocco as I am in Spain or Italy so it's really up to them how they wish to proceed. Maybe once things settle down and they've had time to assess how Brexit is affecting them they may make changes, but if not so be it.

 

[Tombola]

Why 3 months anyway, what harm is it for them to allow 6 months ? are there particular reasons?

 

[Gaston aires]

oh oh, you've said the B word

I should have said rexit with a B just like Liza with a Z
I thought it was allowed after we had left the EU

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Gaston aires]

Personally I thought they would have brought in a non working visa for extended stays, providing you have sufficient funds to keep yourself and have health insurance, as that way they would not have lost income from retirees wishing to over winter in Southern Europe, however I'm just as happy to spend my pension in Morocco as I am in Spain or Italy so it's really up to them how they wish to proceed. Maybe once things settle down and they've had time to assess how Brexit is affecting them they may make changes, but if not so be it.

I think Spain and Portugal would have us for longer, but the French and Germans ? Be interesting when a new chancellor takes over from Angela M

 

[Cheshirecat57]

I wonder how many people voted for Brexit and didn’t see this coming ?

Not me, new this was coming, would vote for it again
Let the market ( free) take control)

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Countries in Europe are allowed to issue Visas as they ( individually) see fit

So, for example, Portugal ( random selection) could introduce a system to grant a visa in 5 minutes for 1euro

The French/Germans will still be free to say “non/nine”

Tourism is a big earner, just saying

 

[Gaston aires]

Just out of interest, if you had a 90 day limit, less travelling time, which months would you choose?
Personally I would do Jan, Feb, and a bit of March.
Phil

 

[bellabee]

Just out of interest, if you had a 90 day limit, less travelling time, which months would you choose?
Personally I would do Jan, Feb, and a bit of March.
Phil

I'd do mid-Feb, March, mid-May in Spain/Portugal (taking a leisurely drive back up through France in the spring weather), then mid-August, Sept, mid-Oct in France/Germany/Austia (after most of the Continental schools have gone back and while the weather is still good).

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Ernesto]

Why 3 months anyway, what harm is it for them to allow 6 months ? are there particular reasons?

It would mean treating the UK differently to all other countries. They won’t do that because they’re annoyed we left and it would set precedents

 

[gus-lopez]

Is there a way round this.

Apart from going to Morocco for 90 days, no.

How can we simply do this.

You can't

So what is the plan for motorhomers who spend a long winter period abroad.

You can't without leaving after 90 days /going to Morocco

Why 3 months anyway, what harm is it for them to allow 6 months ? are there particular reasons?

Because it was up to 90 consecutive days in each & every EU state for citizens & has always been 90 days maximum in the whole european area for 3rd country nationals. Allow it for the now 3rd contry UK & they would have to allow it for all.

So, for example, Portugal ( random selection) could introduce a system to grant a visa in 5 minutes for 1euro

Yes but unless you can get there without entering via another EU state & having passport stamped you would be classed as overstaying on return & probably fined, deported, vehicles impounded.

 

[Spriddler]

Good afternoon,
Having spoken to many like minded motorhomers over the years, now we have retired, we are wanting to travel to Spain and Portugal for 6 months from September for the winter period.
I do not understand the new rules since we removed ourselves from the EU.
Is there a way round this.
How can we simply do this.

Have a look at a previous discussion of Feb 27th where this 90/180 topic was thrashed out and to which you recently contributed.

Morocco in Motorhome for 90 days

Hi all, Looking for some advice here.... we are thinking about 90 days in Spain and Portugal later this year followed by 90 days in a non schengen country (suggest Morocco) then back to Spain France and Italy for the next 90 days. Never been to Morocco, looking for advice please.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[PMB]

Just out of interest, if you had a 90 day limit, less travelling time, which months would you choose?
Personally I would do Jan, Feb, and a bit of March.
Phil

Jan feb mar same as you

 

[spitfire]

I thought 6 months is the US rule for most but having justlooked it isnt as easy as that ??

Not Australia. I have a daughter there and you must apply for a visa in line and it is90 days . There is an option to extend if you have family there but 90 days works fine .

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}