When do we need to register?

mmm Spain claims Gibralter, so it is an odd choice.

You are probably right, there is no authoritative answer, but logically if your home is in the UK and you went on a day trip to France from Spain you are on holiday and you have not broken the three month residence period.

As johnzx says there is no clear rule and ceratinly no rule that I am aware of that limits the number of holidays one can have in any given EU state over any given period.

As an example I see no reason why as a tourist you could not come to Spain on hoilday every other week.

Let's not get too confused with the original question form teh OP about registering when staying for long holidays and the 183 day rule.

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ElsieTanner asked

"Why would you need it OP.

It’s just a tax of €6.75 and a load of wasted time (photos, form filling, day out at polive station, pack lunch) for something that is useless and nobody wants.

It’s not even a discount card for McDonalds."

As Maria said "After five years residence registration you are entitled to apply for a certificate of permanent residence in Spain."

So, if after Brexit, there were residency restrictions for Brits as they were no longer EU members this could be a way to qualify for permanent resident status?

Good point Duncan

Why on earth would anyone bother trying to contact their MEP or the Home Office, or seek so-called professional advice for something so simple? I just asked Tony Down The Pub (EOS's resident bar room lawyer), and he said you'd be NUTS to bother registering, even if you stayed here for THREE or more months, twice or more a year (he does, after all). Enjoy Spain - the lovely weather, great food, relaxed pace of life etc. etc. Why spoil it by getting yourself needlessly embroiled in one of it's uglier aspects, namely it's nightmarish bureacracy? There would absolutely NO benefit or advantage to you by registering, so just keep calm and carry on doing what you're doing.

** EDITED - **

Thanks to all for the interesting array of contributions, I think I get the picture!