Fresh French push to make life easier for British second-home owners, and Spain?

90-day rule is not going away

French senator, Martine Berthet of Savoie, sparked calls for the 90-day cap to be eased or lifted in Spain.

French senator, Martine Berthet of Savoie, sparked calls for the 90-day cap to be eased or lifted in Spain. | Majorca Daily Bulletin reporter

Humphrey CarterPalma18/02/2025 16:49
TW
2

The French are back on the case of the 90-day rule and now, according to The Connexion, a French MP is pushing to find a solution to bring in easier visiting visas for British second-home owners and is pushing the Interior Ministry to reply on the topic. In November, 2023, when France was expected to vote in favour of easing or scrapping the 90-day rule for British home owners in France, the Bulletin interviewed the French senator, Martine Berthet of Savoie, who sparked calls for the 90-day cap to be eased or lifted in Spain. However at the last reading of her amendment, it was rejected. But, the Senator has not given up.

And now, Philippe Lottiaux (Rassemblement National) is calling for action to help the homeowners in view of the fact that an article creating an automatic long-stay visa right for UK-resident Britons with French second homes was passed by both houses of parliament last year after winning wide cross-party support from French MPs and senators. It was later removed on a technicality.

Related news
UK nationals need to be up to speed with entry rules and regulations for Spain.

Foreign Office updates guide for UK travellers to Spain

More related news

The ‘automatic visa’ idea aimed to allow these Britons to spend up to half of the year with minimal or no formalities. It originated from an amendment by Senator Martine Berthet (Les Républicains, Savoie), who proposed the Britons should be able to come and go at the border by showing proof of nationality and home ownership, or by obtaining a simple document to show their status, valid for several years or indefinitely.

Berthet told the Bulletin that in response to testimonies sent to her by a number of her fellow British citizens and feedback from the field in her own department of Savoie, she first asked the Minister for the Interior to work together on this issue. “The aim was to come up with a win-win solution: making it easier for British owners of second homes to come here and increasing visitor numbers in the towns concerned by combating the phenomenon of ‘cold beds’, she said.

“My proposal is first and foremost focused on British landlords wishing to visit France more and for longer. It offers them an entry procedure that is more suited to their style of stay than the current rule of 90 days in 180 days or the long-stay visa procedure,” she added. If this latest French move proves successful will Spain follow suit, despite its threat to hike taxes on foreigners buying properties.

Also in News

Properties in Palma, Mallorca

"If urgent measures aren't taken, Balearic society will be condemned to expelling its own citizens due to the inability to find a home"

A homeless man in Can Pastilla, Mallorca

A home with a sea view in Mallorca ... except it isn't a home

Plaça Quartera in Palma, Mallorca

Palma residents complain of aggressive "real-estate harassment" on behalf of foreign buyers

General view of Magalluf beach

If you can’t stand the heat....

Most viewed
Most Commented