second home owners in spain after brexit

Second Home Owners in Spain after Brexit After the UK voted to leave the EU, many British nationals who own property in Spain are concerned about what the decision will mean for their investments. There has been a lot of speculation about how second home owners in Spain after Brexit may get affected and whether or not they need to make any changes to avoid future issues with their properties over periods of time.
If you are one of these people, it’s essential that you take some time to review your situation and determine if there is anything that needs to be done before making any decisions about your property.

How will Brexit affect second homeowners in Spain?

How will the price of my Spanish house drop after Brexit? How much will one lose from buying now after one leaves the EU? Can I sell my home without losing money? Is it possible for me to move back into the UK as its economy recovers from this decision? These questions have come up frequently among British ex-pats living abroad who own homes in Spain.
The answer to all of these questions is: we don’t know yet. The UK’s decision to leave the EU has created a great deal of uncertainty, and it’s likely going to be a while before any definitive answers are available. In the meantime, it’s important for British ex-pats living in Spain to stay informed about what is happening and keep an eye on any changes.
It’s also important to remember that Brexit is just one factor that could affect the Spanish property market. Several other things could impact prices, including economic conditions in Spain and Europe as a whole, the availability of mortgages, and whether or not the country remains in the Eurozone. So it’s difficult to say exactly what will happen in the coming months and years.

Buying a house in Spain after Brexit

What are some of the factors that will affect whether or not you should buy a house in Spain after Brexit?
Brexit has had an effect on prices across Europe, but it’s hard to predict how long this might last and what kind of impact it could have on your Spanish home purchase.
If anything is certain, however, it’s that buying now will be more expensive than if you’d waited until the dust clears from this decision before making any moves toward properties purchased there. You may also see fluctuations in exchange rates between Euros and Pound Sterling, making prices difficult to determine at times. It may take years for us to comprehend exactly what happened with Brexit and why these changes occurred; we don’t know enough yet.

Furthermore, there are still some things you can do to safeguard your purchase and make sure that you’re not going to lose money on your investment no matter what happens in the future. One of these is to ensure that you have a good lawyer who can help with the paperwork and guide you through the whole process. It’s also important to be aware of any tax implications related to owning property in Spain. Additionally, any other regulations that are likely to apply to your situation.

In short: it’s still possible to buy a home in Spain after Brexit, but you need to be aware of any risks involved and take appropriate precautions. Do your research, consult with experts, and make decisions based on what’s best for your family.

How long do I get to stay in my Spanish home?

One of the questions that has come up most frequently for people with second homes in Spain is how long they will be allowed to live in Spain. This question is especially relevant for those who are not full-time residents of Spain, as they may need to travel to Spain at some time in order to take care of their other property or work.

The rules are no longer uncertain. The Withdrawal Agreement has been in force since 1 February 2020 and the transition period ended on 31 December 2020.

EU citizens can still live in Spain with no time limit, but UK citizens are now non-EU visitors. Since 1 January 2021, UK citizens without a residence permit can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area.

If you are not full-time Spanish residents, it’s important to familiarize yourself with these rules applying to EU countries and make sure you’re aware of any changes that may occur post-Brexit. These are just guidelines – each case will be assessed individually. Therefore, it is always best to consult with a lawyer or immigration specialist to get a more accurate idea of what will apply to you.

Since 1 January 2021 UK passport holders are treated as non-EU visitors, so time at a holiday home without a residence permit is capped at 90 days in any 180-day period. That limit has not been cut to 30 days, whatever some older articles claim. What did change is enforcement. The EU Entry/Exit System started on 12 October 2025 and has been fully deployed at Spanish borders since 10 April 2026. It now logs every entry and exit automatically, so overstaying is far easier to detect. If you want to spend longer than 90 days at your Spanish property, you need a residence route such as the non-lucrative visa.

Owning the property does not give you a residence permit, and you only need one if you want to stay longer than 90 days in any 180. For the non-lucrative visa, for example, you show at least €2,400 a month in 2026 from a pension, savings or rental income.
These changes could mean big expenses for those who want to keep their holiday home post-Brexit so it’s important to factor these into your decision when buying. It’s also advisable to speak with an immigration lawyer beforehand to be sure about what will and will not be possible now that the UK has left the European Union.

The 90-day Schengen area rule

This rule did not change with Brexit and it still applies today. The 90 days are counted across the whole Schengen area, not Spain alone, so days spent in France, Italy or Portugal count against the same allowance. With the Entry/Exit System now recording border crossings automatically, the count is tracked by the system rather than by passport stamps, and an overstay can bring fines or a future entry ban.

If you’re not a full-time resident of Spain and you plan on staying in the country for more than 90 days, you need to familiarize yourself with the new rules and make sure you’re aware of any changes that may occur. It’s advisable to consult with a lawyer or immigration specialist to get a more accurate idea of what will apply to you.

These are among things to consider when buying a property in Spain after Brexit. Keep in mind that the situation is still evolving and it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest news. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re here to help!

How long can i stay in my holiday home in spain after brexit?

You can stay 90 days within each 180 days, if you want to stay longer you will need a visa. british home owners in spain who want to stay more than 90 days in their properties need a visa.

If i own property in spain can i get residency?

Owning property does not by itself grant residency, whatever the price. To live in Spain long term you apply through a residence route such as the non-lucrative visa. If you were counting on the property investment path, read our page on Golden Visa alternatives.