Non Resident UK Spanish Property Owners 90/180 Stay Extension May Come in November 2022

[jongood]

Living in Eurozone I honestly cannot see any problems in doing so....perhaps how the UK residents regarded their membership differently...including not taking the Euro, driving on the wrong side etc etc....

Not being forced to adopt the Euro was the deciding factor for me. I think one of UK's strongest features is its attractiveness as a financial centre. I could only see erosion looming remaining in the EU under the then prevailing circumstances which would have made most of us poorer. Yes it was a bit of a rock and a hard place argument but I now think that whats happened since has made it less relevant although the seemingly insolvable Ireland situation keeps rumbling on. If anyone can explain to me why the North and South becoming one country is such an issue I am all ears.

 

[gus-lopez]

If anyone can explain to me why the North and South becoming one country is such an issue I am all ears.

The same as Gibraltar becoming part of Spain. They consider themselves British.

 

[The Wino]

The same as Gibraltar becoming part of Spain. They consider themselves British.

Or more to the point some of them do some don't!

 

[SheikhLala]

The fallout from leaving was obvious. We would no longer be part of the EU and rules that applied to every other 3rd country would apply to us. Not hard to understand? No guess work involved.
The only questionable bit was NI, which was a feck up by May who screwed the leaving process up from beginning to end.

I think everyone understood that we would no longer be in the EU club but the actual effects that this would have on our day to day lives was hidden behind a cloud of information overload.

 

[Gromett]

I think everyone understood that we would no longer be in the EU club but the actual effects that this would have on our day to day lives was hidden behind a cloud of information overload.

Not really. The benefits of being "in the club" were being touted all over the place, being out meant losing those benefits. I honestly cannot think of a single thing that wasn't predictable that has happened other than I said the complete pigs breakfast they made of the NI protocol.

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[The Wino]

Not really. The benefits of being "in the club" were being touted all over the place, being out meant losing those benefits. I honestly cannot think of a single thing that wasn't predictable that has happened other than I said the complete pigs breakfast they made of the NI protocol.

So you don't think there was a we can have our cake and eat it campaign where people were told any negative effects wouldn't happen as the EU would cave in?

 

[carolyn]

To try to get the thread back on track so that it doesn’t get shut down, I did read some of the reasons why people want this other than the obvious ones. What came up quite a few times and I suppose best fits the OP is people who had bought a property years ago but carried on living and working in the UK with the intention of retiring to their property at some time way in the future. They’d just used it for holidays for themselves and family members. Obviously they couldn’t have gone for residentia even if they’d wanted to as they were too young to retire.

They now can’t fulfill their long held retirement dreams. The last few years will have made selling in Spain etc more complicated with Covid. I can see why this longer visa would be good for them.

 

[busby]

Yes that's very true.....we know a Motorhoming guy who winters long term in Spain who voted out...just how clever is that..he is restricted now to 90/180...which queue was he in when brains were handed out....

Who knew about 90/180 before Brexit? Easy to be wise after the event..BUSBY.

 

[jongood]

Who knew about 90/180 before Brexit? Easy to be wise after the event..BUSBY.

Tbf It was very well publicised.

 

[Gromett]

Who knew about 90/180 before Brexit? Easy to be wise after the event..BUSBY.

Pretty much everyone who had any interest in the subject. It was the Schengen policy long before Brexit was even being discussed.

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[Derbyshire wanderer]

To try to get the thread back on track so that it doesn’t get shut down, I did read some of the reasons why people want this other than the obvious ones. What came up quite a few times and I suppose best fits the OP is people who had bought a property years ago but carried on living and working in the UK with the intention of retiring to their property at some time way in the future. They’d just used it for holidays for themselves and family members. Obviously they couldn’t have gone for residentia even if they’d wanted to as they were too young to retire.

They now can’t fulfill their long held retirement dreams. The last few years will have made selling in Spain etc more complicated with Covid. I can see why this longer visa would be good for them.

Pretty much the same as anyone else’s retirement plans and pension forecast really. It’s all a gamble hoping that when the time comes it all fits together. The reality is that it often falls short of the expectation.

 

[Speve]

Yes that's very true.....we know a Motorhoming guy who winters long term in Spain who voted out...just how clever is that..he is restricted now to 90/180...which queue was he in when brains were handed out....

I think you are being very unkind to him not everyone thinks as you do and he may have had principals of his own and reasons why he voted the way he did? You don’t have to be nasty in your comments he did what he thought right? End off.

 

[Gromett]

I think you are being very unkind to him not everyone thinks as you do and he may have had principals of his own and reasons why he voted the way he did? You don’t have to be nasty in your comments he did what he thought right? End off.

Totally agree with you. My plan was to retire to portugal. I knew voting out would kill this and cause issues for me travelling to the EU amongst other things. But I voted based on the principle of what was best for the country as a whole.

 

[jongood]

Totally agree with you. My plan was to retire to portugal. I knew voting out would kill this and cause issues for me travelling to the EU amongst other things. But I voted based on the principle of what was best for the country as a whole.

Me too. I think the confinual bleating about holiday limitations and roaming charges is incredibly selfish as well as being short-sighted.

 

[The Wino]

Pretty much everyone who had any interest in the subject. It was the Schengen policy long before Brexit was even being discussed.

But there were a lot who believed the Spanish would force a rethink as bars in Benidorm would suffer. It was pretty much the line given on lots of things. As you say though it was a clear policy.

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[jongood]

But there were a lot who believed the Spanish would force a rethink as bars in Benidorm would suffer. It was pretty much the line given on lots of things. As you say though it was a clear policy.

We were in Benidorm for a while this winter and while it was pleasant for us with no parties, its clearly unsustainable for many of the business es.

 

[The Wino]

We were in Benidorm for a while this winter and while it was pleasant for us with no parties, its clearly unsustainable for many of the business es.

I'm not saying it won't harm them but it doesn't seem to be having any effect on the 90/180 like was predicted.

 

[jongood]

I'm not saying it won't harm them but it doesn't seem to be having any effect on the 90/180 like was predicted.

Afaics places like Benidorm etc might have the biggest impact. There aren't only motorhomers going there, there were whole hotels shut apparently because they are missing our pensioners. The Germans might fill some of the places but they're not going to make any money from the dutch and the French. And you need to bear in mind Morocco should be back open next year.

 

[Yorick]

We were in Benidorm for a while this winter and while it was pleasant for us with no parties, its clearly unsustainable for many of the business es.

Folk are coping well here. Bar takings are doing well and our appt bookings are going OK.

 

[EuroTrotters]

When we purchased in March 2016 after a long search, the intention was always to rent out during the summer, winter sun for us. That and in the long run, spend long winters in Spain or even retire to Spain.

That of course was just pre the Brexit Referendum.

That was a big change to all our plans.

That and, the Backside fell out of the value of the GBP. We had forest fires, BREXIT and then the Pandemic.

Ive not talked about this much on here. But in December 2020. We planned to go to Spain by ferry for Christmas/New year. But cancelled due to the pandemic. Then we had issues with our Spanish bank account, where we were locked out and could only access by attending the bank in person, that and we needed to sign some legal documents.

So, we re-booked, this time flying with easyJet. en-route to our very expensive re-booked PCR tests, £165 each (£330). My wife crashed into the back of me in the snow. When we arrived in crushed vehicles for the test, my wife got a call to say her Mother had passed away that morning. We decided to continue with the trip to Spain, as booked, with my wife returning for the funeral.

On arrival at Alicante Airport in December 2020, we were met by the Spanish Authorities who immediately returned us on the same aircraft back to Manchester as were were no longer EU citizens and did not have Spanish Residency Status (Only NIE'S NOT TIE'S). The other 10 people of the flight were allowed in. As they had Residency or Student Visas.

A few other People from other UK Airports were also sent home. Including a man who had owned a property in Spain for 15 years and was in the process of applying for Spanish residency. Indeed, he was flying out from Glasgow to collect his documents.

Now, regardless of your thoughts or beliefs of the Pandemic. This was clearly an EU Spat due to Brexit. There is clearly no difference between an EU citizen with a Negative PCR or a non EU citizen. That and anyone EU citizen or not, was allowed to drive to Spain from anywhere on the Continent without a PCR test and that included UK Citizens who were already in Spain or any other EU Country.

The result was, our Building License was delayed a further 18 months and worse still, We were unable to access our Santander account. Luckily I was able to gauge and pay in money to cover outgoings. But money was paid out to companies by direct debit I am struggling to recoup.

The other thing was, we were unable to go to our house from December 2020 through until June 2021. But still had to pay our non residence taxes.

Now, post Brexit, we are limited to 90/180. But we still have to pay the 365 days non residence tax and council taxes.

Back to Residency.

Its very easy to say we should have applied for residency when we could. But that's a blanket, one size fits all statement. We Both still work here in the UK and have a business here. We couldn't simply just up sticks and leave the Business, our Jobs and Family at the drop of a hat.

Yes, for some people. Including a couple I know who had lived in Spain for 17 years, chose not to apply for residency and sold and to leave. Thats an easy decision. They decided to leave, their choice. But financially they are extremely well off.

Its a very unfair situation as I see it. I Voted to remain, as did all of our immediate family and friends, well bar one. I accept the decision as it was. But I really do think some kind of VISA should be afforded to certain property owners.

Your comments are welcome ......?

Here is a kind of funny and annoying part to the saga I mentioned above I missed out, Ill try to be brief.

When I made this post, I wasn't looking for sympathy. I did miss out that as my wife was leaving the test centre, a tax driver slid into me. That and we had told our Daughter and her family they could use our UK house for new year.

I also had issues with some jobsworth flying out of Manchester who worked for easyJet. He told me that if I wanted to take my laptop bag on board unless I paid £45 to check it in. Ended up with 3 other easyJet staff, me and my wife arguing with Big mike who was new to easyJet. Anyway, bag went onboard with us and the other TEN passengers and I did not pay the £45.

When we returned from Alicante, I tried to explain to some young Asian girl who was part of border force (who had some smattering or Comand of English Language). The reason why we had not filled out the Passenger Locator form. Before I could finish my sentence, she held her arms wide and shouted "is oll ovver da newz dat youz shouldn't be goin on oliday" I then asked her who suggested we were going on or had been on holiday?. Anyway, I refused to speak to her and suggested I would deal with her colleague at the desk. As I walked away, she said "well just ope she don't do you £100 for not fillin in da form".

At the said desk, again before I had finished my explanation, I was told "WELL YOU STILL HAVE TO FILL THE FORM IN". Yes I agreed, but as you have a sign, almost every 3 meters warning of a possible £100 fine, I thought I would try and explain first. "Well sit over there and fill the form in, when you have finished , go to the end of the queue".

What queue I asked my wife?, there is no queue. No idea was here reply. As she was looking down at her phone, trying to fill the form in, her tears were dripping onto the screen. At that moment, a PIA plane landed and a huge queue began. What angered me at this was point was. Half a Dozen ladies in pink high vis vests with "Customer Service" on the back appeared. The customer service staff proceeded to go along the queue and ask politely did the passengers have the PLF's and if not, did they require any help or assistance.

I said to my wife, when she had finished the form, to let me know. As we got up to go to the desk, the Border Force lady I last spoke with, saw us an purposely called someone at the front of the PIA queue. At this point I had had enough and politely insisted we were to be seen next. Two armed Police stepped forward from behind the Border Force Lady and I said to my wife, what are these two going to do ? Shoot Us?.

So, we had the accident (Wife crashed into me) The passing of my wife's, mother, the incident with the taxi driver, LaptopCaseGate, Returned by the Police in Spain, berated like naughty 15 year old school children at Manchester Airport. Gatecrashed our own home on return.

As we stood in the car park waiting for our Son-In-Law to collect us I turned to my wife and said.......

Don't get upset Love, people have worse days than us.

And for those that are wondering, yes we did celebrate new year with our family. Didn't break the law, they were in our Bubble.

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[jongood]

Folk are coping well here. Bar takings are doing well and our appt bookings are going OK.

Do you get many long winter bookings?

 

[jongood]

Here is a kind of funny and annoying part to the saga I mentioned above I missed out, Ill try to be brief.

When I made this post, I wasn't looking for sympathy. I did miss out that as my wife was leaving the test centre, a tax driver slid into me. That and we had told our Daughter and her family they could use our house for new year.

I also had issues with some jobsworth flying out of Manchester who worked for easyJet. He told me that if I wanted to take my laptop bag on board unless I paid £45 to check it in. Ended up with 3 other easyJet staff, me and my wife arguing with Big mike who was new to easyJet. Anyway, bag went onboard with us and the other TEN passengers and I did not pay the £45.

When we returned from Alicante, I tried to explain to some young Asian girl who was part of border force (who had some smattering or Comand of English Language). The reason why we had not filled out the Passenger Locator form. Before I could finish my sentence, she held her arms wide and shouted "is oll ovver da newz dat youz shouldn't be goin on oliday" I then asked her who suggested we were going on or had been on holiday?. Anyway, I refused to speak to her and suggested I would deal with her colleague at the desk. As I walked away, she said "well just ope she don't do you £100 for not fillin in da form".

At the said desk, again before I had finished my explanation, I was told "WELL YOU STILL HAVE TO FILL THE FORM IN". Yes I agreed, but as you have a sign, almost every 3 meters warning of a possible £100 fine, I thought I would try and explain first. "Well sit over there and fill the form in, when you have finished , go to the end of the queue".

What queue I asked my wife?, there is no queue. No idea was here reply. As she was looking down at her phone, trying to fill the form in, her tears were dripping onto the screen. At that moment, a PIA plane landed and a huge queue began. What angered me at this was point was. Half a Dozen ladies in pink high vis vests with "Customer Service" on the back appeared. The customer service staff proceeded to go along the queue and ask politely did the passengers have the PLF's and if not, did they require any help or assistance.

I said to my wife, when she had finished the form, to let me know. As we got up to go to the desk, the Border Force lady I last spoke with, saw us an purposely called someone at the front of the PIA queue. At this point I had had enough and politely insisted we were to be seen next. Two armed Police stepped forward from behind the Border Force Lady and I said to my wife, what are these two going to do ? Shoot Us?.

So, we had the accident (Wife crashed into me) The passing of my wife's, mother, the incident with the taxi driver, LaptopCaseGate, Returned by the Police in Spain, berated like naughty 15 year old school children at Manchester Airport. Gatecrashed our own home on return.

As we stood in the car park waiting for our Son-In-Law to collect us I turned to my wife and said.......

Don't get upset Love, people have worse days than us.

And for those that are wondering, yes we did celebrate new year with our family. Didn't break the law, they were in our Bubble.

Ouch. What a pita.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Folk are coping well here. Bar takings are doing well and our appt bookings are going OK.

In Javea, the problem is the lack of the British. Bars are suffering.

A Spanish Taxi driver (well he's actually Italian). Tells me the Brits are very much missed in the area. He tells me the Number one tourists are without question are the British, followed by the Dutch and the Germans.

The French usually shop at the Supermarket and don't use bars, taxis etc.

The Spanish will order a coke and request several glasses, Sit in the bar and take hours to drink a beer.

I don't doubt him. Many people say the same. Though I doubt there is any scientific surveys or data to prove it .

The other problem the Taxi drivers tell us is the closure of the bars at the end of the Arenal along with the chiringuitos.

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Anti-fraud agency orders closure of seven Javea beach bars

<span Style='color:#780948'>archived</span> - Anti-fraud Agency Orders Closure Of Seven Javea Beach Bars Keep up with the Latest News In English from around Spain

spanishnewstoday.com

 

[Yorick]

Do you get many long winter bookings?

We currently have a 2 month booking covering mid December to mid Feb. We like longer bookings and give nice discount

<Broken link removed>

 

[EuroTrotters]

We currently have a 2 month booking covering mid December to mid Feb. We like longer bookings and give nice discount

<Broken link removed>

We had considered coming if you re-call ! No Schengen days left now

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[busby]

Pretty much everyone who had any interest in the subject. It was the Schengen policy long before Brexit was even being discussed.

Well I was interested but definitely never saw it mentioned in the press or on this Forum.Must have missed it somehow...BUSBY.

 

[jumar]

I think you are being very unkind to him not everyone thinks as you do and he may have had principals of his own and reasons why he voted the way he did? You don’t have to be nasty in your comments he did what he thought right? End off.

Well I've spoken to this guy since...he is coming to realise his mistake...

 

[jumar]

In Javea, the problem is the lack of the British. Bars are suffering.

A Spanish Taxi driver (well he's actually Italian). Tells me the Brits are very much missed in the area. He tells me the Number one tourists are without question are the British, followed by the Dutch and the Germans.

The French usually shop at the Supermarket and don't use bars, taxis etc.

The Spanish will order a coke and request several glasses, Sit in the bar and take hours to drink a beer.

I don't doubt him. Many people say the same. Though I doubt there is any scientific surveys or data to prove it .

The other problem the Taxi drivers tell us is the closure of the bars at the end of the Arenal along with the chiringuitos.

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Anti-fraud agency orders closure of seven Javea beach bars

<span Style='color:#780948'>archived</span> - Anti-fraud Agency Orders Closure Of Seven Javea Beach Bars Keep up with the Latest News In English from around Spain

spanishnewstoday.com

Last winter....Mazarron municipality had an absolute bumper year with motorhome visitors...not many Brit bars here...where Beni and various other locations of a similar trend are greatly over stocked with Brit bars for Brit visitors...these will in time thin out as the demand continues to reduce...Our coastline over the passed 6 weeks has been rammed...there is without doubt a big increase in construction...our resort is booming with two new developers releasing their plans and re-sales doing well too...
2008 and after were sad times...but we are seeing a great revival just now...The summer season is now with us, the arrival of the fortnight family holiday big spenders...

 

[jumar]

Who knew about 90/180 before Brexit? Easy to be wise after the event..BUSBY.

Anyone who cared to know what Third Country rules are would know, they have been in existence for a very long time, and on leaving the EU, the UK became a Third Country...so that's nothing to do with being wise after the event, is it Busby..?

 

[jongood]

Last winter....Mazarron municipality had an absolute bumper year with motorhome visitors...not many Brit bars here...where Beni and various other locations of a similar trend are greatly over stocked with Brit bars for Brit visitors...these will in time thin out as the demand continues to reduce...Our coastline over the passed 6 weeks has been rammed...there is without doubt a big increase in construction...our resort is booming with two new developers releasing their plans and re-sales doing well too...
2008 and after were sad times...but we are seeing a great revival just now...The summer season is now with us, the arrival of the fortnight family holiday big spenders...

The thing is that at they had a bumper year because of the Morroco situation. We were seeing lots of motorhomes that we normally see over there. The other issue was that Spain was the only place Europeans could go for winter sun; no Thailand, no South Africa, no India etc etc, nkt even Turkey. I don't think it will be the same next year.

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