Former UK tourism secretaries and a group of MPs have pressed the European Union to extend the current 90‑day visa‑free stay for British travellers to 180 days... The call comes as Spain’s tourism sector, which depends heavily on UK visitors,seeks an EU‑wide exception to ease post‑Brexit friction.

Spanish touriism lobby asks EU to scrap 90‑day cap

Spain’s tourism authorities have formally requested that the EU eliminate the 90‑day limit for British holidaymakers, arguing that the rule hampers a market that generates billions of euros each summer. According to the report, Spanish officials contend that a longer stay would benefit both the local economy and UK tourists seeking more flexible travel plans.

Helen Morgan urges proactive Brexit repair

Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan, representing North Shropshire, called on the UK government to adopt a more active stance in mending ties with Europe.. She highligted the 90‑day rule as a symptom of broader Brexit‑related challenges, noting that “millions of Britons working or living abroad were being largely overlooked when the regulations first went into place.”

EU‑wide exception could set precedent for other member states

If the EU were to grant a 180‑day stay for UK citizens, it would mark the first such concession since the Brexit transition ended. The move could prompt other tourism‑dependent nations, such as Greece and Italy, to lobby for similar treatment, potentially reshaping the Schengen area’s approach to non‑EU visitors.

Who stands to gain and who remains uncertain?

British travellers would enjoy longer holidays and greater flexibility, while Spanish hotels, restaurants and coastal towns anticipate a boost in revenue. However, the EU has not yet indicated whether it will entertain a member‑state‑specific waiver, leaving the policy’s fate unclear.

What remains unanswered about the proposed rule change?

Key questions include: (1) whether the EU will grant a blanket 180‑day exemption or limit it to certain countries; (2) how the change would affect immigration monitoring across the Schengen zone; and (3) what compensation, if any, the EU expects from the UK for potential security or administrative costs.