The Spanish government has decided to exempt British nationals from the visa requirement if they come to work in Spain for less than 90 days, according to reports in the Spanish media this morning. The announcement came as Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited Madrid this week.
While you can visit Spain for up to 90 days in 180 days for tourism without a visa, any work activity necessitates a C-type (short-term) or D-type (long-term) visa, which had to be obtained from a Spanish consulate before travel. The announcement is expected to make life easier for British businesspeople who are heading to Spain for short periods.
Rachel Reeves visited Madrid on Wednesday and met 120 of Spain’s top businesses and investors and Minister of Economy, Trade and Business Carlos Cuerpo. According to a press release from the British Embassy in Madrid: "working people are set to benefit from jobs and greater security as the Chancellor secures a £240m investment from a major Spanish business. Exolum, one of Europe’s leading liquid‑storage companies will make the investment to strengthen critical fuel storage, aviation resilience and national energy security.
"The deal comes after the Chancellor set out how the government will pursue the three biggest opportunities for economic growth in Britian: a closer and more stable economic relationship with the EU, a step change in AI and frontier technology, and unlocking growth in every region and nation of the UK.
"At the heart of pursuing a closer economic relationship with the EU will be the new National Interest Principles to guide decisions on aligning with the UK’s biggest and closest market. The principles will bring discipline and clarity to choices that can cut the cost of doing business, reduce friction at the border, and give firms the certainty they need to invest and grow. The UK is the world’s second largest exporter of services - and this change could be worth around £250 million in additional exports to UK exporters over a five-year period.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:
“In an uncertain world, we must build growth that is secure and resilient. We do this best through partnerships with those who share our interests, our values, and our ambitions. We count Spain amongst those partners – and the prize for doing more together is considerable.
“Our economic plan is the right one. By restoring stability, boosting investment and driving reform through an active and strategic state, we will build a stronger and more secure economy.”
Spain minister inister of Economy, Trade and Business Carlos Cuerpo:
"No country can face the challenges of this era alone — economic security, technological transformation, climate change. The answer is more cooperation with trusted partners, not less. And the United Kingdom is, and will remain, one of Spain’s most important partners.”