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Tuesday, February 7th - 13th 2017
BRITISH CONSUL DISPELS BREXIT MYTHS It was a full house at Playa Flamenca Town Hall last Wednesday as British Consul Sarah-Jane Morris, based at the British Embassy in Madrid, met members of the local community to discuss Brexit and its possible effects on British expatriates living in Spain. Ms Morris began very frankly by saying that she was going to tell people exactly what they know about Brexit and its effects on those living abroad, but that in all honesty ‘we don’t know much’. -She began by reassuring people of things
The panel that would not change, such as Consular services and support and also pointed out that until Brexit is complete that nothing at all would change, that expats would still be entitled to the same rights and obligations as they have been for past years. She did however urge the expat population to make sure that had an NIE number, to register on the Padron and to get Residencia if they lived here for most of the year and wished to continue to do so after Brexit is complete. They are currently just 250,000 Brits registered on the Padron, down from 380,000 a few years ago. It is doubtful that such a large number of people have
returned to the UK and so it is thought that for numerous personal reasons people are choosing not to register. However, this will causes numerous problems as the UK goes through the Brexit procedure, as the Government needs to have accurate figures in order to negotiate for the rights of its expats. Those living here more than three months a year need to register on the Central Register for Foreign Nationals and those living here for more than 183 days per year are classed as Spanish residents. Ms Morris urged all expats to contact the DWP to ensure it has the correct details for you. The concern being of
course that if there are issues and problems post-Brexit completion it will be for those who are not registered anywhere, or whose paperwork in the UK and/or Spain is not correct and up-to-date. Ms Morris was keen to dispel the many rumours circulating about what might or might not happen once Brexit is complete. As the negotiations have not even started in earnest yet, there are no facts, only speculation. She recommend that the only place people should get their information is from official and authentic sources – the Government and the British Embassy or Consulate being the most obvious for expats living in Spain. According to Spanish lawyers tasked with looking at the impact of Brexit on Spain, British expats who have lived in Spain, have held residencia for five years or more and can prove this will have no issues post-Brexit as they have permanent residency status. There are several action and support groups working on behalf of expats
such as ‘Expat Citizen Rights in EU’ and local residents can join these in order to engage more in the Brexit process and voice their concerns to Peers and MPs. The seminar ended with a question and answer session where local residents raised questions on passports, acquired rights under the Geneva Convention such as work, healthcare and pensions, possible holiday visas and the reversal of the 15 year rule.
For further information on Brexit or the issues raised contact the British Consulate in Alicante to ensure to get the correct information on your area of concern. Mireille Toddington
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