BREXIT - How to prepare for a NO DEAL

[Chocaholic]

BREXIT…ready or not, here it comes.

Monday evening I attended a very interesting meeting discussing the impact of Brexit on UK residents in Spain.

There were speakers from the EU Commission as well as from the British Embassy.

A lot was said and a few guests tried to turn it political, but at the end of the day it came down to, a few points.

Brexit is happening, like it or not, it would be better all around if it happens with a withdrawal agreement, but while the representatives from the British Embassy seemed positive that this will be the case, the Director of the EU Commission did not seem so optimistic, and quite frankly, the fact that Britain is spending millions in preparing for no deal scenario doesn’t bolster much confidence in their optimism.

So what can we do to prepare ourselves for a no deal?

1. Make sure your situation in Spain is legal now, that means you must have a residency certificate (the green A4 sheet or credit size card- NOT just a NIE), as well as to be registered at the town hall (EMPADRONAMIENTO) and obtain a Spanish driving licence.
2. Keep informed. Both the English and the Spanish government have websites (links below) brimming with helpful information. Make sure you are up to date.

A no deal is a worrying prospect so it’s essential to follow these steps, while always hoping that the parties involved can negotiate a withdrawal deal, which won’t be a fix all, but will at least protect our rights as citizens here in Spain.

www.gov.uk/livinginspain
www.gov.uk/world/brexit
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/how-to-prepare-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-with-no-deal
www.facebook.com/BritsinSpain
Healthcare in Spain | All official information on accessing healthcare in Spain for British nationals visiting and living in Spain.
La Moncloa. Prepared for the Brexit [Brexit]

 

[lollipop]

There is a talk here in the port on Tuesday 12th Feb, 3.30pm at St Andrews church, organised by the British Consul.

 

[clinkham]

Thank you Chocaholic for a non-partisan, clear and understandable resume of the situation for expats.

Would that such clarity be produced for us back here in the UK.

In the meantime, I am urgently searching my grandfathers family tree for an Irish ancestor The family name is Riley, so there may be a chance of an Irish connection.

 

[Hanser]

In the meantime, I am urgently searching my grandfathers family tree for an Irish ancestor The family name is Riley, so there may be a chance of an Irish connection.

I went down that route (having an Irish great-grandfather) and found out that my father had to have taken Irish nationality before I was born. I'm pretty sure you need to have an Irish grandparent to be sure, to be sure.

 

[Tommo]

I went down that route (having an Irish great-grandfather) and found out that my father had to have taken Irish nationality before I was born. I'm pretty sure you need to have an Irish grandparent to be sure, to be sure.

To be sure, to be sure Hanser.
My great grandmother came from Tipperary so I'm in the same boat, so to speak.

 

[alcanadakid]

To be sure, to be sure Hanser.
My great grandmother came from Tipperary so I'm in the same boat, so to speak.

..... it's a long way from there....and a long way to go...

 

[Deanscroft]

I attended the talk in the Port on Tuesday afternoon. Lots of useful advise and information which can probably be summed up with -
Don't panic. It will all be alright in the end.

 

[Tiggy]

Don't panic. It will all be alright in the end.

Interesting - wish I had been there --- in Germany at a recent British Consulate hosted gathering the advice was if you have been resident long enough apply for a German passport before 29 March and then have dual passport rights - but were unable to say if the S1 etc for pensioners health rights would be guaranteed.

 

[Deanscroft]

Unfortunately it doesn't work like that in Spain. You cannot hold dual nationality. If you take up Spanish nationality you have to renounce you British Nationality and all that goes with it.

 

[Millipet]

For visitors hiring cars after brexit, go to gov.uk/euexit for details of what might be necessary I.e. International driving licence, should we leave the EU on 29th March. It seems to depend on whether we leave with or without a deal.

 

[JPALCOVER]

Worth reading:

https://elpais.com/politica/2019/02/28/actualidad/1551362997_921931.html

Wait and see, anyhow