What is the 3 month rule in Spain?

If you don't leave Spain after 90 days, you would be in an irregular situation. In other words, you would be in the country illegally. Thus, in the eyes of the immigration law, you would be committing a serious infraction that could result in significant penalties and/or fines.



People Also Ask

For example, if you spend 90 days in Spain and leave on April 12th, you won't be allowed to return without a visa until at least July 11th. Usually, the penalties for exceeding the 90-day limit are a fine between €500 and €1000.

MORE DETAILS

If you wish to be in Spain for longer than 90 days every 180, you must apply for a visa before you enter the country. There's a variety of visa options for both short and long-term stays. Read about long-term Spanish visas.

MORE DETAILS

The 90-day rule
This rule simply states that you can live in Spain without residency for a maximum of 90 days. After those 3 months, you need to either obtain a residence permit, or leave the country. And that is because the shortest stay option is the tourist (or Schengen) visa, which lasts exactly for 90 days.

MORE DETAILS

Luckily, when you've applied for your TIE card and are waiting for it to arrive, you can leave Spain by applying for Autorización de Regreso, an authorisation to return.

MORE DETAILS

If you don't leave Spain after 90 days, you would be in an irregular situation. In other words, you would be in the country illegally. Thus, in the eyes of the immigration law, you would be committing a serious infraction that could result in significant penalties and/or fines.

MORE DETAILS

Once you leave, you cannot return to Spain (or Schengen) without a visa until a further 90 days have gone by. For example, if you have spent 90 days in total in Spain and leave on June 29th, you cannot go back without a visa until at least September 28th.

MORE DETAILS