Also dated 28 July 2026, the National Police posted refreshed instructions for foreigners seeking to extend a short-term stay beyond the standard 90/180-day Schengen rule. The procedure, rooted in Article 51 of Royal Decree 1155/2024, can be used by visitors who face force-majeure, humanitarian or serious personal reasons—such as flight cancellations, medical emergencies, or political unrest in the home country. Key take-aways: • Applicants must file Form EX-29 in person at the provincial police headquarters before their authorised stay expires. • They must present proof of exceptional circumstances, sufficient funds, comprehensive medical insurance and a confirmed return or onward ticket. • With a visa, the total stay (original visa plus extension) cannot exceed 90 days in a 180-day period; without a visa, the extension may push the stay beyond 90 days but only when humanitarian grounds are proven. • Government Sub-Delegates or the General Commissioner for Foreigners and Borders decide the request; failure to rule within the statutory period is deemed rejected. For business travellers stranded by strikes or the still-unstable EES system, the clarified pathway offers a legal safety net that avoids future Schengen overstays and the accompanying fines or re-entry bans. Global mobility managers should keep the new documentation checklist on file and instruct travellers to act early—processing times vary by province and may run close to the departure date.
