Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Visas: Schengen Area

Thursday 10 July 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tom Hayes asked about the visa restrictions affecting constituents living part of the year in Spain, noting that this leads to more frequent flying due to limited visa options.
  • The Foreign Office regularly engages with EU member states, including Spain, on a range of issues.
  • Jim Shannon inquired about the impact of the Schengen area on individuals in Northern Ireland due to the unique situation created by the Northern Ireland protocol.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tom Hayes Lab Bournemouth East
Immigration Brexit
Context

UK citizens, including constituents of Tom Hayes living part-time in Spain, face limited visa options post-Brexit, leading to more frequent travel by air.

Question

Many thousands of constituents, including Philip and Kathryn in my constituency, live for part of the year in Spain. Prior to Brexit, they did so without restriction, but now they face limited visa options, resulting in more frequent flying. What conversations has the Minister had with Spain’s Government about ending these barriers?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds (The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office)

I thank Philip and Kathryn for raising this issue, and I know my hon. Friend is a powerful advocate for them. The Foreign Office leads on bilateral issues with EU member states, and they regularly engage on a range of issues. While we recognise that extending the 90/180 day period is a matter for member states and the EU, my hon. Friend can be assured that we will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals affected.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details of discussions with Spain's government or concrete actions taken.

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Q2 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Northern Ireland is in a unique position with dual market access due to the Northern Ireland Protocol. There are concerns about the application of EU law and how it affects movement.

Question

As the Minister knows, Northern Ireland is in that wonderful limbo land of movement—half in the United Kingdom and half in the EU, because of the unfinished protocol Bill. Can he tell us how those in Northern Ireland will be affected by the Schengen area due to the particular, and perhaps peculiar position they are in as a result of the protocol?

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds (The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office)

Northern Ireland has the unique advantage of dual market access. On the wider issues of application of EU law that the hon. Gentleman is talking about, he can be assured that as co-chair of the joint committee I work carefully and closely on these matters with the Northern Ireland Executive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details or concrete actions regarding impact on Northern Irish residents due to Schengen area visa rules.

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