A British expat living in Spain has warned that the area is becoming like a ghost town, due to the new 90 day visa Brexit rule.
The fed-up man, from England, says that the beautiful Spanish region is in real trouble thanks to a combination of Brexit rules and the impact of Covid.
Sun-seekers flock to destinations in Spain including Costa del Sol, Torremolinos, Marbella and Nerja every year to enjoy the region’s beautiful beaches.
READ MORE - Queen's little-used forgotten castle which Kate and William may move into
However, one Briton told Express.co.uk that they think the stunning Spanish region is in “trouble”.
Bruce King owns a house in Nerja, a popular and pretty coastal town on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
He said: “I have never ever seen Nerja so quiet. Bars, shops, hotels closed. A lot forever.
“They need the Brits to carry the businesses through the winter.”
Have your plans to chase the winter sun been impacted? Tell us in the comments below.
While Covid has undoubtedly had an impact on tourist resorts, Bruce said he believes there’s another reason the resort is suffering.
Bruce told Express.co.uk: “One of the main reasons the coast is in trouble is the so-called 90 day rule for us Brits.
“Whereas the Europeans can come to the UK for 180 days, which is a crazy situation.
“We still have a house in the beautiful town of Nerja. The swallows, as they are known, are just not here.”
Britons who travel to Spain for the warm weather in the winter are sometimes known as ‘swallows’.
Before Brexit, many British people spent four or five months in Spain over winter without needing Spanish residency.
While British people can stay in the EU for 90 out of every 180 days, EU citizens can stay in Britain for six months without a visa.
One British citizen told Express.co.uk that she was detained overnight in a centre in Madrid after accidentally overstaying 90 days on a previous visit.
Bruce said: “Apart from the Covid restrictions, people just don’t want to come anymore for 90 days.
“Maybe they will come in the summer for three weeks but that will not sustain all the bars here.
“We used to come for the winter period to avoid the cold. We arrived here as usual at the end of November to take us through to March.
“The Brits spend a lot of money here on buildings and services etc. We spent £20,000 on a conversion.
“Now we wonder if it was worth it. Nerja is one of the most popular resorts on the coast and sadly unless the EU changes its policy, it will die.”
Nerja has a population of just over 20,000, an idyllic Old Town and access to many stunning beaches.
Nerja isn’t the only Spanish resort to be suffering from a lack of international tourists this winter.
Visitors to the resort area of Benalmádena Costa have likened it to a “ghost town” with many closed up bars and restaurants.
Meanwhile, the local Government in Spain’s Costa Blanca has called for the 90 day rule to be extended to six months.
It is hoped that an extension would encourage British ‘swallows’ to return to Spain for the winter season.
Never miss the latest Edinburgh Live stories or headlines again. Sign up to our newsletters here.
