Spain's 90-day rule, explained.

The rule in Spain

Spain is in the Schengen area, so non-EU visitors (including British, American, Canadian and Australian travellers) can stay up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period without a visa. There's no separate "Spanish 90 days": every day in Spain comes out of the same allowance as days in France, Portugal, Italy or any other Schengen country.

On any date, look back 180 days (including that date) and add up every day you spent anywhere in Schengen. The day you arrive and the day you leave both count. Our 90/180 rule guide walks through the count.

What counts in Spain

• The mainland, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands all count. Tenerife or Mallorca is Schengen time like Madrid.
• Gibraltar doesn't count. It's British territory outside Schengen, but crossing into Spain from it is a Schengen entry.
• Andorra isn't in Schengen, but you can only reach it through Spain or France, so the days either side of a visit usually count anyway.

Example: a winter in Spain, then Portugal

Staying in Spain longer than 90 days

The 90 days are a visitor allowance. Owning a home in Spain doesn't add to it. To stay longer you need a Spanish long-stay visa or residence permit, applied for through a Spanish consulate before you go. The most common routes for people who don't work locally are:

• The non-lucrative visa, for people with enough income or savings to live without working in Spain.
• The digital nomad visa, for people working remotely for employers or clients outside Spain.

Days spent in Spain on a Spanish visa or residence permit don't count towards your 90. Requirements change, so check the Spanish consulate's current rules.

Tax is a separate question: spending more than 183 days a year in Spain generally makes you tax resident there, whatever your visa.

At the border

Since 10 April 2026, the Entry/Exit System (EES) has replaced passport stamps. Your first crossing registers your passport, a photo and fingerprints. After that, every entry and exit is logged and your days are counted automatically, so an overstay is flagged when you leave.

Border officers can also ask for a return or onward ticket, where you're staying and proof you can pay for your trip.

Questions

How long can I stay in Spain without a visa?

If you're a visa-free non-EU visitor, up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counting all your time in every Schengen country, not just Spain.

Does time in Portugal or France count towards my 90 days in Spain?

Yes. Spain, Portugal and France are all Schengen countries, so they share one 90-day allowance.

Do the Canary Islands count towards the 90 days?

Yes. The Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands are part of Spain's Schengen territory. Gibraltar is not.

I own a house in Spain. Can I stay longer than 90 days?

Not on that basis. Property ownership doesn't extend the 90 days. To stay longer you need a Spanish long-stay visa or residence permit.