Getting out of the UK

The Eurotunnel

Also known as LeShuttle, this runs from Folkestone to Calais and takes just 35 minutes. If you want to get to France or go to Spain, through France then this is nearly always the cheapest option and certainly the quickest. It's a simple option even for a campervan.

 

Ferries

The Portsmouth to Bilbao service is an option we have done many times. Ferries from Portsmouth to Bilbao are operated by 1 ferry company; Brittany Ferries. The journey usually takes around 33 hours. There are currently 2 weekly sailings on this ferry route. 

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The fastest ferry to Spain from the UK is the Plymouth to Santander ferry. This journey takes 20 hours 15 minutes on the fastest ferries. This is our preferred route for Spain, avoiding the long drive through France. Cabins are compulsory on these sailings but we have always found we got a good night's sleep, arriving in Spain refreshed and ready for the road.

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Visas and the Schengen rules

Since Brexit, visiting the EU has become very complicated especially for long termers. UK citizens (no longer EU), can only stay 90 days out of every 180 days in the Schengen area. The Schengen area is a group of 29 countries. In 2020 when the UK left the EU, we lost the right for unlimited travel between these countries.

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The penalties for over staying in a Schengen country are severe and can include huge fines and travel bans lasting many years.

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The only way to avoid issues in the long term is to obtain a long term visa. This however is complicated and expensive.

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Working the 90 day rule

The ideal scenario is to spend 90 days in a Schengen country such as Spain then leave for a non-Schengen country such as Morocco. After 90 days you can go back to Spain.

If you are in Europe and need to get out of the Schengen area, you could go to:

• Albania.

• Belarus.

• Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• Cyprus.

• Ireland.

• North Macedonia.

• Moldova.

• Montenegro.

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Border Controls

You only go through immigration at the first Schengen country you enter and the last one you depart. However, member states can temporarily reintroduce internal border checks if required for specific public policy or security reasons.