The limitation of 90 days every six months to enjoy their second residences in Menorca, since Brexit became effective, is at the center of the conversations of British citizens. In fact, it was one of the most repeated doubts during Ambassador Hugh Elliot’s visit to Menorca last July.
Now they have decided to join a campaign that takes place in different parts of Spain that concentrate the British population, such as the Valencian Community or Andalusia, with the distribution of information cards in which they explain that, while a European citizen can visit the United Kingdom for half a year often they can’t. After those 90 days they have to return to their country and spend another three months there before being able to return. The objective of this campaign is to get the political class, regional and central governments to get involved and negotiate to extend this period, something that is already happening in other countries of the European Union such as neighboring Portugal, another destination in which the British are accustomed to travel and have second homes. As explained by some affected by the measure, the British can already extend their stay in Portugal beyond those 90 days after Brexit, an extension that they can request from the Foreign and Borders Service of the Portuguese government for a fee of between 33 and 67 euros, depending on the different cases.
For many English people who enjoyed their homes in Menorca, the application of this restriction has disrupted their life plan, as well as affecting the communities that host them. The sale of properties by the British on the island has been a constant in recent years and now it is accelerating “I have lost six couples, twelve good friends who have had to sell in Addaia and move to Portugal,” says an English resident. Port d’Addaia is one of the urbanizations that is losing British presence. The interests are reciprocal but the request that they can be 180 days in a row without having to return to their country at the moment does not advance. The British are now citizens of third countries who want to access the European Schengen territory.
The president of the Consell, Susana Mora, already expressed her concern about this problem to the Minister of Tourism, Reyes Maroto, in the month of March, during her visit to Palma, as was explained by the Balearic president, Francina Armengol. But the solution, said Maroto, corresponds to the framework of the European Union and is under study. There has been no news since then, the Menorcan president said this week.
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