Living abroad – what do you need to know?

Brexit reporter Gemma Jimmison gets to the bottom of some of our readers’ questions about what happens when the UK leaves the EU

Q: We have a property in Spain which we use regularly. We aren’t Spanish residents but as we approach full retirement we have the option of spending much more time there, although probably not as full time residents. How will Brexit impact foreign home owners who aren’t residents of the country in question?

A: If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, then an agreement on citizens’ rights will allow UK nationals to remain living in other EU countries after March 29 until at least 31 December 2020. You will not need to apply for a visa to travel or work in the EU during this time. However, it becomes more complicated if we leave without a deal, and each EU country could deal with things differently. The Spanish Government has launched a new section on its website to help UK nationals in Spain. It covers topics such as registration, healthcare and education, and confirms the Spanish government’s intention to safeguard the interests of British nationals in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal. Further legislation via royal decree is expected shortly. The UK government has also set up a number of outreach meetings for UK citizens who are living abroad. The next ones in Spain will be held in Madrid on March 21, Santiago de Compostela on March 25 and Bilbao on a date to be confirmed. Visit www.gov.uk/ government/news/information-and-events-for-britishcitizens-in-spain for the full details.

In terms of visas, the European Commission has proposed that in a no deal situation, you would not need a visa for short stays in the Schengen area (this includes Spain) or elsewhere in the EU. You would be able to stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

If you are intending to stay in the Schengen area for longer than 90 days, or for more than 90 days in 180, you may need to get a visa before you travel. Visits to the Schengen area within the previous 180 days before your date of travel will count against the 90-day limit.

On arrival in the Schengen area, you may be asked to confirm that you have sufficient funds available for the duration of your stay. Different border control checks will apply, and you may also be asked to show a return or onward ticket. UK nationals would not have an ongoing right to use the separate lanes provided for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals. In terms of your property, the UK will become a third country on March 29, meaning UK citizens owning property abroad will be exposed to local laws without protection from the EU. However, this mostly applies to purchases, mortgages and deposits, so this won’t apply to you if you already own the property. Another benefit of the EU is that expats in Europe see their pensions go up every year in line with wage or price inflation while those in non-EU countries have had their pensions frozen. After March 29, the UK will be a non-EU country and pensions will be frozen.

For more information, read the government publication called ‘UK nationals in the EU: essential information’ on gov.uk

The UK government has also set up a number of outreach meetings for UK citizens who are living abroad. You must register with the Spanish government to stay in Spain for more than three months.