EU nationals facing a dilemma

EU nationals who have settled in Britain are facing a dilemma as Brexit looms: pack their bags, apply for citizenship or stay put and hope for the best. In Manchester, northwest England, German national Melanie Moerbe has just become a British citizen at an official ceremony. “I felt quite emotional,” said the 38-year-old, who arrived in Britain in 2003 to study nursing and now cares for people with psychological disorders. “I love Britain and my whole life and my best friends are all here. I am planning on staying,” she said. A few months ago, she discovered that Germany does not accept dual nationality with a country outside the European Union - as Britain will become after March 29. “If I didn’t get my British citizenship before the official Brexit date... I would have to give up my German passport to get the British one,” said Moerbe. Chasing the dream Romeo Manciu, 37, is full of optimism and is also planning to seek British nationality one day. “I came to follow my dream: to work in an airport,” said the Romanian, who arrived in August. “Where is the biggest airport in Europe? Heathrow! It had to be Heathrow,” he said, with a big grin on his face. Despite having no experience, he quickly found a job as an airport ramp agent: the people who direct planes after they have landed, and remove the luggage. Manciu wants to bring his family to settle permanently in London. “Brexit is not a problem,” he said. “Everyone that comes here before March 29 can apply for pre-settled status, that is the reason I came before Brexit.” Joan Pons Laplana, 43, is a Spaniard who works in Britain’s National Health Service. He has received job offers from other countries, but his children – aged 16, 13 and seven – don’t want to leave their homeland. “That’s why I’m still here and I’m fighting to stop Brexit,” he said. “I hope this madness stops and common sense returns.” He has been in Britain for 18 years and lives in Leeds. He fears losing some of his rights after Brexit. “As things stand, I will no longer be able to vote in local elections. I have been paying taxes for many years, but I am going to become a second-class citizen,” he said.