Expats' Brexit worries remain despite deal
UK residents in Spain still fear over healthcare and pensions despite official reassurances
BRITONS living in European Union countries continue to fear for their future healthcare and pensions - despite the Withdrawal Agreement guaranteeing their protection ahead of Brexit.
A newspaper survey showed the two key issues continued to cause confusion and concern amongst the British expat population living in the 27 remaining EU member states.
According to The Guardian, one in six people who responded to its questionnaire admitted being 'anxious' and said they feared shrinking state pensions and the right to medical treatment as their main concerns.
However, both areas were covered in the agreement and are protected under the terms of the deal.
British in Europe, a coalition of pressure groups across the EU, said the Withdrawal Agreement’s settlement for healthcare provision and pensions was 'actually quite satisfactory'.
The group believes with 80% of the estimated 1.3 million British people living in Europe of working age or younger there were still 'real concerns' about other areas yet to be agreed - such as freedom of movement, crossborder working and recognition of professional qualifications.
Pensions and healthcare were 'actually the two bright spots' in the Brexit agreement, according to British in Europe spokeswoman Laura Shields. “There’s a lot else to worry about, but not those.”
She believes the confusion was triggered by a series of announcements covering the arrangements should the UK crash out without a deal. The signing of the Withdrawal Agreement, a legally binding international treaty, rendered the ‘no-deal’ rules invalid.
“People have been focussed on these no-deal arrangements and many are not aware of what is in the Withdrawal Agreement,” said Laura.
Uncertainty and concern had not been helped by some EU host countries not updating their information to take in the terms of the agreement.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s official site regularly updated - is gov.uk/ livinginspain.
To further reassure British citizens in Spain regarding their future, Ambassador Hugh Elliott and Consular Policy advisor Lorna Geddie held an open Q&A session on social media a few hours before the Brexit deadline on Friday - see report on page 47.