British expats warned they will lose health care

EXPATS in Spain will retain their rights for at least two years while Britain negotiates with other European nations, Spain’s acting prime minister has said.

Mariano Rajoy said their rights would mirror those afforded to Spanish citizens living in the UK. But there is uncertainty over what then happens.

Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, said expats would lose their pensions and health care. “What will be the future legal status of the … millions of Britons on the Continent? How will the exit affect thousands of British pensioners living in Portugal or Spain who will lose their access to the welfare and health systems?” he asked.