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Length of stay

Posted: Sat Feb 29, 2020 7:56pm
16 replies512 views6 members subscribed
kathy2017

Posts: 114

19 helpful points

Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 15 Apr 2017

Travelling with an Irish passport.  How long can I stay in Spain as a non-resident, if the need to stay longer than my usual few weeks arises?

Derrymore

Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2020 2:30pm

Derrymore

Helpful member

Posts: 105

99 helpful points

Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 27 Jan 2020

Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2020 2:30pm

Hi Kathy2017.

There are no restrictions on how long an Irish passport holder can stay in Spain or any other EU country. 

However it is strongly recommended that you have free card EHIC (formerly E111) which allows you free urgent medical treatment at A & E (called urgencias in Spain). It is a good idea to stick the EHIC card into your passport as you will certainly be asked for identification either at admission or shortly afterwards. 

If you have not already done so, you should take out travel insurance. This will cost around €120 for a couple for a year or about €30 for a month in the EU. 

This covers, not only sickness issues, but other costs such as missed or diverted flights, also theft or damage to your property. Holiday insurance is effective from date of purchase and should be in place before tickets are paid for. 

As a visitor you can come and go as you wish. If you travel to Spain on a flight originating in the UK (or anywhere outside the EU/EEA), you can expect to have your passport scrutinised. Always use the EU passport gates to reduce grief, especially once the UK formally leaves on 31 December 2020.

Enjoy Spain 

kathy2017

Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2020 3:34pm

kathy2017

Original Poster

Posts: 114

19 helpful points

Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 15 Apr 2017

Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2020 3:34pm

Derrymore wrote on Sun Mar 1, 2020 2:30pm:

Hi Kathy2017.

There are no restrictions on how long an Irish passport holder can stay in Spain or any other EU country. 

However it is strongly recommended that you have free card EHIC (formerly E111) which allows you free urgent medical treatment at A & E (called urgencias in Spain). It is a good idea to stick the EHIC card into your passport as you will certainly be asked for identification either at admission or shortly afterwards. 

If you have not already done so, you should take out travel insurance. This will cost around €120 for a couple for a year or about €30 for a month in the EU. 

This covers, not only sickness issues, but other costs such as missed or diverted flights, also theft or damage to your property. Holiday insurance is effective from date of purchase and should be in place before tickets are paid for. 

As a visitor you can come and go as you wish. If you travel to Spain on a flight originating in the UK (or anywhere outside the EU/EEA), you can expect to have your passport scrutinised. Always use the EU passport gates to reduce grief, especially once the UK formally leaves on 31 December 2020.

Enjoy Spain 

Thanks for the useful information. I was travelling back and forward to Spain and only staying about 2 weeks at a time.  I am renting an apartment in Spain on a long-term basis and as I am retired and paying the rent, electricity and water whether I'm there or not, I'd like to start staying longer each time.  I have my EHIC card and keep in along with my passport. Thank goodness that I have it as last June I fell in Roquetas and fractured my wrist.  I was taken by ambulance to Poniente hospital, in El Ejido and the first thing that they asked for was my passport and EHIC.  They never asked for travel insurance and just as well as the company who I had travel insurance with for 3 years turned down my claim when I returned home.  

Thanks again

Kathleen 

chrisso50

Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2020 8:06pm

chrisso50

Super helpful member

Posts: 1111

1342 helpful points

Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 23 Jul 2018

Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2020 8:06pm

kathy2017 wrote on Sat Feb 29, 2020 7:56pm:

Travelling with an Irish passport.  How long can I stay in Spain as a non-resident, if the need to stay longer than my usual few weeks arises?

Hi Kathy

We met at the Gran Plaza, do you recall. We discussed how you would need to obtain residency if you stay here in Spain for more than 90 days, a legal requirement. Sorry to hear that you had a bad fall and needed hospital treatment, hope all is well now and that you had support from your son nearby? As a UK pensioner with an Irish passport you won’t need to worry about the impact of Brexit of course. However you should be able - if you decide to settle here and obtain residence - to get a S1 from the DWP (I think I explained this when we met) and then you would be able to get free Spanish state health service cover. No need for private insurance.

Chris

DarioMartin

Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2020 8:09pm

DarioMartin

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 5376

6395 helpful points

Location: Vera

Joined: 16 Aug 2017

Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2020 8:09pm

Derrymore wrote on Sun Mar 1, 2020 2:30pm:

Hi Kathy2017.

There are no restrictions on how long an Irish passport holder can stay in Spain or any other EU country. 

However it is strongly recommended that you have free card EHIC (formerly E111) which allows you free urgent medical treatment at A & E (called urgencias in Spain). It is a good idea to stick the EHIC card into your passport as you will certainly be asked for identification either at admission or shortly afterwards. 

If you have not already done so, you should take out travel insurance. This will cost around €120 for a couple for a year or about €30 for a month in the EU. 

This covers, not only sickness issues, but other costs such as missed or diverted flights, also theft or damage to your property. Holiday insurance is effective from date of purchase and should be in place before tickets are paid for. 

As a visitor you can come and go as you wish. If you travel to Spain on a flight originating in the UK (or anywhere outside the EU/EEA), you can expect to have your passport scrutinised. Always use the EU passport gates to reduce grief, especially once the UK formally leaves on 31 December 2020.

Enjoy Spain 

Sorry to contradict - there is most definitely a restriction.  Without Residencia, it is 90 days in any 180 day period.  Being an Irish passport holder means you can live and work during that period, but like any other EU country, without residence in that country you cannot stay longer than 90 days.

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kathy2017

Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2020 8:46pm

kathy2017

Original Poster

Posts: 114

19 helpful points

Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 15 Apr 2017

Posted: Sun Mar 1, 2020 8:46pm

Thanks for all replies.  My problem is 'taking the plunge'.  I need to make up my mind as at present I am renting long-term in Roquetas.  About one year ago,   I did ask a lady who worked for a solicitor in Roquetas about how long I could stay as a non-resident and she said 'as long as you like',  but at the time I did not think that information was correct.  However, I intend making an appointment with a solicitor in Roquetas when I return next week.  Just hoping that the flights will operate as usual.  

Regards Kathleen

DarioMartin

Posted: Mon Mar 2, 2020 8:04am

DarioMartin

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 5376

6395 helpful points

Location: Vera

Joined: 16 Aug 2017

Posted: Mon Mar 2, 2020 8:04am

kathy2017 wrote on Sun Mar 1, 2020 8:46pm:

Thanks for all replies.  My problem is 'taking the plunge'.  I need to make up my mind as at present I am renting long-term in Roquetas.  About one year ago,   I did ask a lady who worked for a solicitor in Roquetas about how long I could stay as a non-resident and she sa...

...id 'as long as you like',  but at the time I did not think that information was correct.  However, I intend making an appointment with a solicitor in Roquetas when I return next week.  Just hoping that the flights will operate as usual.  

Regards Kathleen

That’s a good idea; I would suggest though ensure it is a solicitor well versed in migration law.  Not all solicitors are across the requirements and I’ve found that if some don’t know, instead of saying “I don’t know, but I’ll find out”, they seem to want to appear omnipotent and do make stuff up!!

Residency is a tricky subject in Spain precisely because you’ll get so much conflicting information.  This is because Extranjeria themselves can be a little ... “flexible” ... in how they approach each application.  You’ll need someone who regularly has dealings with Extranjeria in Almería and can give you definitive advice.

Best of luck for making your decision .... I’d say “DO IT! Take the plunge”, but then I’m biased :-D

kathy2017

Posted: Mon Mar 2, 2020 9:11am

kathy2017

Original Poster

Posts: 114

19 helpful points

Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 15 Apr 2017

Posted: Mon Mar 2, 2020 9:11am

DarioMartin wrote on Mon Mar 2, 2020 8:04am:

That’s a good idea; I would suggest though ensure it is a solicitor well versed in migration law.  Not all solicitors are across the requirements and I’ve found that if some don’t know, instead of saying “I don’t know, but I’ll find out”, they seem to want to appear omnipotent ...

...and do make stuff up!!

Residency is a tricky subject in Spain precisely because you’ll get so much conflicting information.  This is because Extranjeria themselves can be a little ... “flexible” ... in how they approach each application.  You’ll need someone who regularly has dealings with Extranjeria in Almería and can give you definitive advice.

Best of luck for making your decision .... I’d say “DO IT! Take the plunge”, but then I’m biased :-D

There are a few uk ladies who live near to where I rent.    They have been living in Spain many years.  One of them did mention a solicitor in Roquetas to me.  His office is quite near to where I stay, so I intend making an appointment with him.  

Thanks  Kathleen 

Jimh

Posted: Wed Mar 4, 2020 9:50pm

Jimh

Very helpful member

Posts: 454

705 helpful points

Location: Huércal-Overa

Joined: 11 Oct 2019

Posted: Wed Mar 4, 2020 9:50pm

With there being no border checks from France for example how would the Spanish Authorities know how long you have been in Spain- the 90 day rule is almost impossible to enforce as they have no way of knowing how long you have been in the country. Currently we travel from France to Spain and back every two weeks in the summer with no checks

kathy2017

Posted: Wed Mar 4, 2020 10:16pm

kathy2017

Original Poster

Posts: 114

19 helpful points

Location: Roquetas de Mar

Joined: 15 Apr 2017

Posted: Wed Mar 4, 2020 10:16pm

Jimh wrote on Wed Mar 4, 2020 9:50pm:

With there being no border checks from France for example how would the Spanish Authorities know how long you have been in Spain- the 90 day rule is almost impossible to enforce as they have no way of knowing how long you have been in the country. Currently we travel from France to Spain and back...

... every two weeks in the summer with no checks

Next week,  I'll  be making my 2nd visit to spain this year and I will be staying a few weeks, hopefully there won't  be any travel problems.  Just heard that the French air controllers are striking.  I'll do a bit of research when in Spain.

Thanks

Kathleen 

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