UK and Spain Forge Closer Ties with Visa Waiver, Increased Investment Amidst Brexit Realities
Madrid, Spain – In a move signaling a deepening economic partnership, the United Kingdom and Spain have agreed to a short-stay work visa waiver for professionals, alongside a £240 million investment by the UK in Spanish liquid storage company Exolum. The announcements came Wednesday during a visit to Madrid by UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, marking a concerted effort to strengthen ties post-Brexit.
The visa waiver, initially proposed by Spain, will allow UK service professionals – encompassing fields like law, finance, IT, and consulting – to work in Spain for up to 90 days without a visa, and vice versa for Spanish professionals traveling to the UK. British officials estimate this could boost UK exports by around £250 million over five years.
Reeves’ visit underscores a broader shift in the UK government’s approach to its relationship with the European Union under Keir Starmer. Speaking in Madrid, Reeves emphasized the importance of partnerships, stating, “In an uncertain world, we must build growth that is secure and resilient… We count Spain amongst those partners.” She also warned of the risk of the UK becoming “stranded” between trading blocs without closer EU alignment.
The move towards closer cooperation extends beyond visa regulations. Reeves and Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo signed a joint declaration to intensify economic cooperation, building on the first edition of the Trade and Investment Dialogue held in Madrid.
Trade between the two nations is already robust. Spanish exports to the UK reached €24.9 billion in 2025, a 4.5% increase from 2024 and a significant 25.4% jump from pre-Brexit levels in 2019. Services trade is even more substantial, with Spain exporting €29.2 billion in services to the UK, including over €10.6 billion in non-tourism sectors. British exports to Spain have also seen growth, reaching £22.1 billion between October 2024 and September 2025, making Spain one of the UK’s fastest-growing export destinations.
The strengthening relationship is formalized through a Strategic Framework signed last September in London by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Keir Starmer, focusing on technology & defence, and life sciences.
Despite the focus on strengthening ties, the shadow of Brexit remains. Sánchez recently called Brexit “a terrible loss” for both the UK and the EU, even suggesting the UK consider rejoining the bloc, stating that “countries and governments can make mistakes.” However, he also acknowledged the potential for continued cooperation even outside of EU membership.
