Key Takeaways
• UK citizens can stay visa-free in the Schengen Area for 90 days within any rolling 180-day period as of February 2024.
• Exceeding the 90/180-day rule risks fines, deportation, or bans, prompting calls for changes to benefit 500,000 UK property owners.
• “France Visa Free” group advocates reciprocal visa-free agreements and longer-stay options; UK government has shown limited support thus far.
The “France Visa Free” group is calling on UK Members of Parliament (MPs) to push for a review of the European Union’s 90/180-day rule, which has been affecting British citizens traveling to France 🇫🇷 and other EU countries since Brexit. This rule, part of the Schengen Area’s visa-waiver system, is seen by many as limiting the ability of British second-home owners and frequent travelers to stay in France for extended periods. Their lobbying efforts reflect growing frustration with the travel limits imposed on non-EU nationals.
Current Rule and Background
As of February 2024, UK citizens can only stay visa-free in the Schengen Area for 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. This policy applies to all non-EU countries, and UK citizens lost their previous unrestricted movement across the EU when Brexit took full effect. The rule is applied across all Schengen countries, including France, Germany 🇩🇪, and Italy 🇮🇹, ensuring that no individual stays beyond the allowed timeframe without a formal visa.
The 90/180-day rule operates on a rolling basis, meaning the count resets every day, looking back 180 days from that point to calculate the total time spent across the Schengen zone. For instance, if someone visits France or the broader Schengen area multiple times within six months, their total combined time cannot exceed 90 days. This calculation can be complex, which is why the European Commission offers a Short-Stay Calculator to help travelers ensure compliance.
Impact on UK Citizens
The introduction of this rule after Brexit has created many challenges, particularly for UK citizens who own second homes in France or frequently visit the EU for personal or business reasons. For years, these individuals enjoyed freedom of movement across the EU, but this is no longer the case. Now, anyone exceeding the 90-day limit risks fines, deportation, or even bans on re-entry.
Several consequences of the rule include:
- Restricted Stays: Second-home owners can no longer spend extended periods in their properties without applying for long-stay visas. Many retirees who divide their time between the UK and France are now limited to shorter trips.
- Economic Factors: British property owners play an important role in local economies through tourism, property taxes, and maintenance. The time limitations could reduce their financial contributions to rural areas in France that rely heavily on foreign investment.
- Frequent Travels: Business travelers, holidaymakers, and even remote workers are facing stricter timelines, complicating their stay planning across the Schengen zone.
The “France Visa Free” group believes that a change to the rule would not only benefit UK citizens but also the economies of small towns and regions in countries like France that depend heavily on British tourists and homeowners.
Recent Campaigns and Actions
In February 2025, the “France Visa Free” group presented their concerns to French authorities, requesting an automatic, straightforward visa option for British second-home owners. They are also pushing UK MPs to prioritize this issue in ongoing discussions about the future UK-EU relationship. Their demands include:
- Adding travel rights to the agenda for UK-EU discussions.
- Advocating for reciprocal agreements to allow extended visa-free stays.
- Developing a framework to permit 180 days of visa-free travel in any 360-day period.
The group has emphasized that over 500,000 UK citizens with property in the EU would directly benefit from such changes. In their opinion, these updates could also strengthen ties between the UK and the EU, while providing mutual economic benefits.
Government and Official Responses
Despite the group’s active campaigns, UK government responses have so far been limited. Wendy Morton MP, in 2020, expressed that achieving 180 days of visa-free travel was not an approach the UK government prioritized in Brexit negotiations. Similarly, no subsequent administration has shown public support for amending the 90/180-day rule, even though the topic remains important to affected individuals.
However, some UK officials have expressed willingness to discuss broader mobility rights between the UK and EU. In June 2020, Michael Gove MP acknowledged the need for fair and reciprocal access to certain activities and suggested the potential for future discussions.
Alternatives and Future Developments
While the “France Visa Free” group continues to push for a loosening of the current restrictions, existing alternatives provide limited solutions for those needing longer stays:
- Circulation Visa: Some individuals may qualify for a French multiple-entry visa, valid for six months to five years. However, time spent in the Schengen Area under this visa still cannot exceed the 90/180-day limit unless it permits longer stays.
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Long-Stay Visas: For those planning an extended stay in a single country such as France, applying for a long-stay visa is a viable option. These visas typically require proof of income, property ownership, or a detailed reason for the visit and can involve complex application procedures.
Meanwhile, changes may be on the horizon due to the Schengen Area’s upcoming systems. The Entry Exit System (EES), expected to launch in November 2024, will centralize the monitoring of short-term visits by collecting entry and exit data from all non-EU nationals. This system could limit any potential abuse of the visa-free policy and further enforce compliance with the 90/180-day rule.
Looking Ahead
The issue of restricted travel rights for UK citizens post-Brexit is unlikely to fade anytime soon. Groups like “France Visa Free” play an essential role in keeping these challenges in the spotlight. By continuing to advocate for extended travel options and simplified agreements between the UK and EU, they aim to ease hardships faced by second-home owners, retirees, and frequent travelers.
For the affected individuals, careful planning remains crucial. The Schengen Area’s rules are strictly enforced, and exceeding the 90/180-day limit carries significant penalties. However, tools such as the European Commission’s official Short-Stay Calculator can assist in managing trips efficiently.
While immediate changes to the situation seem unlikely, upcoming discussions related to broader UK-EU partnerships may provide opportunities for progress. For now, individuals seeking extended stays can explore alternatives like long-stay visas, though these come with their own set of challenges.
If you’re planning to spend time in France or other Schengen Area countries, checking official resources like the European Commission’s page on Schengen visa policies is a good starting point. Meanwhile, organizations like VisaVerge.com offer expert insights and resources to guide travelers through these evolving rules and policies.
For UK citizens navigating this post-Brexit landscape, adaptability and awareness of the current travel regulations are essential. While advocacy efforts are ongoing, the limitations imposed by the 90/180-day rule may remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Learn Today
90/180-day rule → A Schengen Area regulation limiting non-EU nationals’ visa-free stays to 90 days within any rolling 180 days.
Schengen Area → A European zone comprising 27 countries, allowing free movement without internal border checks for participating members.
Visa-waiver system → A policy enabling travelers from certain countries to stay for short periods without requiring a formal visa.
Long-Stay Visa → A visa permitting extended stays in a specific country, often requiring additional documentation and meeting strict criteria.
Entry Exit System (EES) → A digital system tracking non-EU nationals’ entry and exit data to ensure compliance with Schengen rules.
This Article in a Nutshell
Brexit’s 90/180-day Schengen rule leaves UK travelers restricted, frustrating second-home owners and frequent visitors to France. The “France Visa Free” group urges MPs to push for longer visa-free stays, highlighting economic and personal impacts. Advocacy grows, but changes remain uncertain. For now, careful trip planning is vital to avoid penalties.
— By VisaVerge.com
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