How long can I stay in my Spanish home without a visa?

EU and EEA citizens can live in Spain and register as residents. UK and other visa-exempt visitors can stay up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined, and owning a home in Spain does not change this. Only a residence permit or long-stay visa does.

The 90 days are counted across Schengen countries together, not Spain on its own, so time in France or Portugal counts too. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), fully running at the external borders since 10 April 2026, records your entries and exits automatically, so overstays are flagged.

ETIAS, a separate online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, was still not operating as at October 2026, and no start date had been confirmed. When it starts the fee is planned at €20. Check the official sources close to your travel dates.

If you want to spend more time in Spain than 90 days in 180, look at a long-stay route such as the non-lucrative visa. Some owners also plan their year around the rule, for example splitting their time.

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and figures were last checked in November 2026 and change, so take independent advice from a Spanish lawyer for your own purchase.