hello everyone!!

I am new on here, so i apologise if anything i ask has already been covered in previous topics!

I am due to finish my last alevel exams in a couple of days time, and for what seems like forever now have been very eager to travel/move away from this country (England) during a gap year before university.

Originally I was very interested in Japan, and after many decisions (as extravegant as it sounds - compared!) have narrowed my choice down to Spain.

Basically, I have done very little research and have a couple of questions. Please bare in mind I will be turning 18 next month and therefore may sound very naive and young with what I am about to ask;

I would like to stay in Spain for up to a year (as long as I can afford without working with the money I have saved) and have found a number of lovely apartments to rent in the mean time, however, in my ignorance I am hoping i will not need a visa for such a short period of time? How many months can I stay there before my very long holiday ends and my living there begins?

Any other information from personal experience or that you think i should know would also be VERY much appreciated!!

Thanks very much and hope to hear from someone soon! Becky xx