Oral Evidence May. 20 2024
Inquiry: The UK’s new relationship with the EUFound: We know that Spain does not like NATO ships visiting.
Oral Evidence May. 20 2024
Inquiry: The UK’s new relationship with the EUFound: We know that Spain does not like NATO ships visiting.
Asked by: Lord Moynihan (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what position they took during discussions between the Spanish acting Minister of Industry, and Foreign Office officials in November in which the 90-day cap on the stay of British tourists in Spain was discussed; and whether any agreement was reached.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Spanish Tourism Minister met with Foreign Office officials in November to discuss tourism. British tourists in Spain are treated as third country nationals under the EU's Schengen Borders Code. As such, they are able to travel visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period. UK travellers applying for visas to visit or stay in Spain for longer periods of time are processed according to Spanish domestic law, reflecting the UK's position as a non-EU Member State. Whilst the UK government would welcome any changes to visa systems that benefit UK nationals, this is a matter for national governments and parliaments. We are not currently negotiating any reciprocal agreements.
Asked by: Tracey Crouch (Conservative - Chatham and Aylesford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he plans to hold discussions with his Spanish counterpart on changes to the 90 day short stay rule for British citizens with holiday homes.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK's Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU confirms that both the UK and EU currently provide for visa-free travel for short-term visits for each other's nationals in accordance with their respective laws. British citizens in Spain are treated as third country nationals under the Schengen Borders Code. As such, they are able to travel visa-free for short stays for up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period. This is the standard length of stay that the EU offers to other third countries, in line with existing EU legislation.
I [Minister Docherty] engage regularly with my EU counterparts to discuss a range of issues, including on mobility. The Government is focused on the smooth, robust and effective implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Jul. 25 2024
Source Page: Passport and visa lettersFound: renova rse Preparado por Consulado -General Britá nico Madrid www.gov.uk/government/world/spain
Government Response Dec. 01 2023
Committee: International Agreements CommitteeFound: Government response to the Committee's report on Spain driving licences Government Response
Jun. 05 2024
Source Page: FOI/EIR responses published by APHA: September 2023Found: Number per Consignment 164 100 200 120 imported– amended on RM30 Country of Origin/Birth Mauritius Spain
Asked by: Andrew Murrison (Conservative - South West Wiltshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of supporting Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, in line with the amended diplomatic positions of (a) France, (b) the US, (c) Israel and (d) Spain.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Successive UK Governments have regarded the status of Western Sahara as undetermined. The UK supports UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise. The UK continues to support UN-led efforts and, in particular, the work of Staffan de Mistura as Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara. Officials regularly discuss Western Sahara with international partners, including the UN, Morocco, and Algeria; we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process.