Brexit News Update November 2019
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Brexit News Update November 2019
"The date of leaving the EU has now been set for the 31st January 2020,
with the end of the Brexit transition period still set at 31st December 2020.
[So whatever happens, we can't 'get Brexit done' soon]. Parliament has been backing away from a no-deal scenario, which
organisations in business, agriculture, finance and other sectors seem
universally to feel is a positive thing. However, a no-deal is still
possible: it has not been entirely removed from the table.
"The Spanish government
continues to be bullish about Brexit, saying in early November that it
will remove the rights of British expats living in Spain if Britain
cannot guarantee the rights of Spanish expats in the UK. Overall, this
could affect half a million people in both countries. Meanwhile, expat
action groups in Spain are suggesting that expats use their
postal votes to vote for any party that can guarantee Remain. They are
also counseling that expats could lose their triple-locked pension
rights after 2023. Others are concerned about healthcare agreements
continuing after the end of the transition period in Dec 2020.
"However, thousands of British expats will not be permitted to vote in
UK elections: if you have lived outside of the UK for more than 15
years, you’re not allowed a vote – even on an issue that could
substantially affect you. When canvassed, a number of expats in Spain
pointed out that they still pay taxes in the UK and should therefore
have a say in the electoral process. They report that they feel
‘abandoned’ by the British government. Expats have also reported to a House of Lords EU Justice sub-committee
that their spending power has become eroded during the long lead-up to
exit from the EU, as economic uncertainty has caused sterling to drop
against the Euro. Committee chairman Lord Morris says that the issue of
pension rights is a continuing worry to British expats, and also reports
that even if Britain ensured expats’ healthcare rights in the EU, it
will still only cost half of what it would cost if they returned for
treatment under the NHS. Thus looking after the rights of Britons in
Europe makes economic as well as political sense.
"So let’s recap the situation overall for British expats resident in the EU:
• If you are legally resident in an EU nation, you will be able to
stay, but you need to apply for residency if you have not already
done so.
• Rights to residence will still apply if you move to the EU before
31st December 2020, the current official end of the transition period
(this may be extended) After an initial 3 months in your EU host nation, you must be working or
self-employed, self-sufficient or a student, or a dependent of somebody
who meets these criteria.
• You will still be allowed permanent residence after 5 continuous years in
your host nation. This won’t be affected by Brexit: it’s covered by the
EU Long Term Residence Directive ("LTR Directive") and local national
immigration law. However, implementation of this is often erratic.
• Reciprocal healthcare will continue to apply (for example, if you are
retired in an EU state and have cover under a S1 form, this will
continue).
• Your EHIC card will remain extant up until the end of the transition
period (possibly beyond but this depends on ongoing agreements).
• Your pension will not be frozen.
• You will continue to have freedom of movement as a frontier worker.
"HOWEVER, although the above is promising, some of it will depend on
reciprocity: as we have noted, the Spanish government seems willing to play hardball if Spanish expat rights in the UK are not
secured in turn. Also, some of your current rights will no longer apply if Brexit goes
ahead. For instance, if you have residency rights for Germany, and want
to move to Spain, you will in future need to go through the Spanish
immigration process rather than, as now, simply moving.
"The recognition of qualifications (e.g. legal qualifications) may also
be an issue: currently, your qualifications may be recognized in the EU,
allowing you to work, but this may not be the case going forwards.
"If you marry an EU national, you may also find that they do not automatically have residency rights in the UK.
"A certain amount of confusion has been reported given the changing
nature of the situation. What is clear is that the uncertainty and instability generated by
Brexit is an ongoing worry for Britons living in the EU.
"Make sure you keep up
to date with developments in your host nation, and that you are abreast
of any local changes in regulations with regard to residency, work
permits, healthcare, pensions and other rights. Finally, be aware that
financial authorities are warning that times of uncertainty are golden
times for opportunists – so be wary of any scammers who might contact
you with ‘guarantees’ for your pension or other rights, and make sure
you only deal with official channels."
Source: https://www.expatfocus.com/general/expat-focus-brexit-news-update-november-2019-5797