Hurricane
Well-Known Member
To correct you about those Brits on the Costa del xxx.
A lot of them have been applying for Spanish Residencia - and getting it.
It is a scheme that eventually gets you to full Spanish Residence after 5 years.
I know lots of people who have done this but there are disadvantages.
For example, as a Spanish Resident, you can't drive a car in Spain on a UK licence - you have to have a Spanish Driving Licence.
Until recently, the Spanish didn't recognise the UK licence as a qualification so you had to take a Spanish driving test - I believe they now accept the UK licence now though.
Same for your possessions - the boat - the car etc - have to be Spanish registered - probably triggering matriculation.
Like @billskip says, I have chosen NOT to apply for Spanish Residencia and just stick to the 90/180 days.
I suspect that there are lots of Brits that are doing the same.
I often have close conversations with our Spanish Marina Manager.
He is in contact with many other Spanish marinas up and down the Med coast and has close contacts with the local councils and authorities.
Indeed, under him, our marina is part of a group of 22 marinas in Catalonia.
They all say the same thing.
They have all seen a reduction in business (even taking Covid into consideration).
The area around Valencia is particularly concerned.
From my point of view, I can judge by my own expenditure.
I spend a lot less money out in Spain now than before Brexit.
I believe that a full visitors visa will happen sometime in the future - the drive from the Spanish end is there.
And, people like me will take advantage of something like that when it happens.
A lot of them have been applying for Spanish Residencia - and getting it.
It is a scheme that eventually gets you to full Spanish Residence after 5 years.
I know lots of people who have done this but there are disadvantages.
For example, as a Spanish Resident, you can't drive a car in Spain on a UK licence - you have to have a Spanish Driving Licence.
Until recently, the Spanish didn't recognise the UK licence as a qualification so you had to take a Spanish driving test - I believe they now accept the UK licence now though.
Same for your possessions - the boat - the car etc - have to be Spanish registered - probably triggering matriculation.
Like @billskip says, I have chosen NOT to apply for Spanish Residencia and just stick to the 90/180 days.
I suspect that there are lots of Brits that are doing the same.
I often have close conversations with our Spanish Marina Manager.
He is in contact with many other Spanish marinas up and down the Med coast and has close contacts with the local councils and authorities.
Indeed, under him, our marina is part of a group of 22 marinas in Catalonia.
They all say the same thing.
They have all seen a reduction in business (even taking Covid into consideration).
The area around Valencia is particularly concerned.
From my point of view, I can judge by my own expenditure.
I spend a lot less money out in Spain now than before Brexit.
I believe that a full visitors visa will happen sometime in the future - the drive from the Spanish end is there.
And, people like me will take advantage of something like that when it happens.