SPAIN LIFELINE FOR 'BREXPATS'
Madrid vows to protect Britons' rights amid Brexit chaos
THE SPANISH government has again appealed for calm amongst expats affected by Brexit and the current political troubles over the Withdrawal Agreement.
Madrid has undertaken to protect the rights of UK nationals in Spain and Spanish nationals in Britain whatever the final Brexit scenario, labelling it a ‘priority’.
Government spokeswoman Isabel Celaá was speaking after a Cabinet meeting in the capital and underlined the views earlier expressed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Minister for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell.
She said expat rights would be ‘respected’ and next month a Royal Decree would address residency and associated rights for British nationals in Spain.
Lorna Geddie, the British Embassy’s Brexit expert, contacted British expat groups across the country to share the stance taken by Spanish government ministers following the council meeting. “In the same vein as recent statements at the end of last year by Josep Borrell and Pedro Sánchez, she was keen to send a message of calm to all those affected by Brexit and stress the rights of UK and British citizens remained a priority for the Spanish government,” she said. Ms Geddie said the key points regarding expats concerned their rights after Brexit. And she said these were: “That the Spanish government would protect the rights of UK and Spanish nationals in any Brexit scenario; for example, if the UK leaves with, or without, a deal. “That they would be introducing a Royal Decree Law in February which would cover residency rights for UK nationals, as well as address issues such as social security, healthcare, and the recognition of academic and professional qualifications.”