Question mark over 'swallows'
People who divide their time between the UK and Spain - the so-called ‘swallows’ - have yet to find out how Brexit will affect their lifestyle as negotiations continue,
PEOPLE who divide their time between the UK and Spain - the so-called ‘swallows’ - have yet to find out how Brexit will affect their lifestyle as negotiations continue, said British Consul Sarah-Jane Morris.
Britain officially left the European Union on January 31 and under the Withdrawal Agreement, citizens’ rights remain the same until the end of an agreed transition period; which stretches until December 31.
The right to travel to Spain for extended periods is still under discussion and forms part of the negotiations for the future relationship said Mrs Morris - as were such things as onward mobility within the EU, recognition of qualifications, pet passports, and the EHIC card.
The consul said the transition period allowed a 'soft landing' and it gave a 'message of reassurance' and allowed time for expats to get their papers in order make sure they were legally resident in Spain.
“After a few years of waiting and a lot of uncertainty for a lot of people, something has happened; we are on the other side and out of the EU,” she said. “We are now in the transition period, until the end of the year, nothing changes for your citizens rights.”
Mrs Morris said people had the remainder of 2020 to become resident and to swap their driving licence for a Spanish equivalent; while the right to live and work in Spain and access to pensions and healthcare was covered in the agreement.
Relationship
However, she said parts of the British Embassy team were 'hard at work' on the future relationship which centres on trade agreements.
Speaking on the Costa Blanca’s Bay Radio, Mrs Morris added, “On the civil rights side, there are a few bits that are not yet decided; for example onward movement and pet passports.
“And people who come for extended periods here, several months at a time, which has yet to be decided. Will it fall in line with other third country nationals, 90 days in any 180 day period?
“It’s a big question mark for quite a big section of British nationals who spend time in Spain - what will their lifestyle look like?”
The consul assured people 'the will was there to get agreement' quickly. “The UK and EU have said they want to get those bits agreed as soon as possible; it is quite complex and contingent on a lot of other things.”
Mrs Morris underlined the importance of obtaining up to date official information from the ‘gov.uk/livinginspain’ website, signing up for email alerts, and singing into the Facebook page ‘Brits in Spain’.