OLIVE PRESS
The
COSTA BLANCA
FREE By Joshua Parfitt and Robert Firth
BRITISH expats are understandably in turmoil about their futures in Spain, following the Conservative Party’s huge election victory. Healthcare, pensions and the fate of the pound are bound to keep many of us awake this Christmas, now that Boris Johnson (far right) has promised to ‘get Brexit done’ by the end of January. But, while it could be an unsettling festive period ahead, it may not be as bad as many of us fear, believes Our Man in Spain.
Sparkle
“No deal is now a very remote pos-
sibility and our citizens rights are still in place,” insisted ambassador Hugh Elliot at a meeting with expats on the Costa Blanca this week. Putting a little sparkle back on the Christmas tree, he promised that the same healthcare agreements, uprating of pensions and rights to work will not change for British expats until December next year. And after that period, they will
Vol. 1 Issue 20 www.theolivepress.es
Your expat
voice in Spain
December 19th - January 8th, 2020
Nightmare Before Christmas stay ‘the same as long as you remain a resident in Spain’. However, Anne Hernandez, of
Brexpats in Spain, insisted it was still not clear and claimed ‘mounting’ confusion was causing many
But British ambassador offers crumb of hope to expats nursing wounds following Boris Johnson’s landslide victory residents distress, with some even contemplating suicide. “It is putting people under incred-
...but there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful... There’s so much to read in this bumper Olive Press special festive edition
ible pressure. Some have said; ‘I am so suicidal,’ particularly some of the elderly,” she told the Olive Press this week. British councillor for San Fulgencio, Darren Parmenter, hit back however, criticising the ‘amount of misinformation’ groups like hers have been pedalling. He told the Olive Press that once the current withdrawal agreement was signed everyone would be much more optimistic. “Not once has any of these groups said that, if the withdrawal agreement is passed, you have nothing to worry about,” he slammed. “It might have saved lots of unnecessary panic, ‘feelings of suicide’ and even people selling up and moving back to the UK because of the uncertainties.”
vote
We trace the origins of the Costa del Page 6-7 Crime
VENDORS
GUIDE HOW TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY QUICKER AND BETTER
Certified Residential Specialist The Proven Path to Success
Avda. Madrid, 24, 03724 Moraira - Alicante
On the slopes with the pros in snowy Granada
Home cooking with the biscuit-baking nuns at Christmas
Page 11
Page 24
Christine Rowlands, chair of Conservatives Abroad on the Costa del Sol, had a more conciliatory view. Despite being a ‘staunch remainer,’ she told the Olive Press she was glad the election result meant Brexit would ‘finally be over’. “The reaction has been good from both sides,” she said. “My members just want the job done.” She added the party was now ‘passionate’ to overturn the 15-year voting ban for expats who have lived abroad that long.
Tel. (+34) 96 649 18 29 info@hispaniahomes.es www.hispaniahomes.co.uk
UK BASED
Want to sell your property?
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Ask here for our VENDORS GUIDE
for Spanish residents
and get the most success in your task
www.globelink.co.uk 96 626 5000 +44 (0) 1353 699082
PARTNERING OWNERS FOR OVER 20 YEARS
Specialists in Luxury Villas Holiday Rentals and Sales SALES & RENTALS SPECIALISTS Moriara•Calpe•Jalon•Javea•Denia•Altea
96 649 1883 www.moraira-hamiltons.net
Javea - Denia La Sella Golf Area tel: 966 424 505 mob: 647 575 152 www.vacationvillasspain.com