Consulate message to UK nationals in Spain
The Withdrawal Agreement which sets out how the UK leaves the EU has now passed into UK law, which, once the European Parliament has ratified it this week, means that the UK is leaving the EU with a deal on 31 January.
This is positive news for UK nationals who are resident in Spain, as the Withdrawal Agreement contains some really important protections for your rights:
- You will be able to continue to live and work in Spain
- UK state pensioners will continue to have lifelong healthcare as long as they remain living in Spain. This also applies to residents who claim a UK state pension in the future
- Your UK state pension will continue to be uprated
- You will be able to exchange your driving licence until the end of 2020 without taking a driving test and your Spanish licence will be accepted in the UK when you visit
Those rights will be protected for as long as you live in Spain, provided you are legally resident here by the end of 2020.
The Withdrawal Agreement also provides an Transition Period (from 31 January until 31 December) during which time nothing will change for UK Nationals in Spain.
Charmaine Arbouin said: “The approval of the Withdrawal Agreement is a very important step for UK nationals living here. It provides reassurance on key rights, such as being able to continue to live and work here, and for pensioners to have lifelong healthcare and uprated pensions. Alongside those rights, you have obligations – the main one being to make sure you are registered with a green residency certificate. This remains a valid document after 31 January and we will communicate any details on future residency processes once we have them. For further information visit the Living in Spain Guide on gov.uk”.
To view the latest video message from HMA Hugh Elliott to UK nationals visit: https://www.facebook.com/BritsInSpain/videos/1352265428277649/
To put your questions to HMA Hugh Elliott and Regional Consular Policy Adviser Lorna Geddie join our Facebook Live Q&A on Friday 31 January at midday (CET) on facebook.com/britsinspain
Information for UK nationals can be found at gov.uk/livinginspain
The British Embassy and its network of consulates in Spain work with local and expat partner organisations to assist British nationals.
Consular enquiries – 902 109 356 (in Spain) / +34 913 342 194 (outside Spain)
British nationals who need emergency assistance outside normal office hours should call +34 902 109 356 where they will be given details on how to proceed and how to contact a duty officer if needed.
January 30, 2020 @ 4:28 pm
The British Embassy and Consulate hold Brexit information meetings in Almeria
Representatives of the British Embassy and Malaga Consulate will be holding meetings next week to explain what the Withdrawal Agreement means for UK Nationals and any actions they need to take.
They will cover topics including residency, healthcare access, driving, pensions, passports and pets. The team will also take questions from the public.
UK nationals are welcome to come along to any of the events, and there is no need to pre-register.
Event details:
Mojacar, Tuesday 4 February from 10am to 12pm at the Centro de Usos Multiples, Carretera Mojacar 2, 04638 Mojácar, Almería, Spain
Los Gallardos, Tuesday 4 February from 3:30pm to 5:30pm at the Miraflores Bar & Restaurant, Camping Los Gallardos, La Perulaca, s/n, 04280 Los Gallardos, Almería, Spain
Albox, Wednesday 5 February from 10am to 12pm at the Conservatorio de Musica (formerly the Town Hall), Calle Rosario, 40, 04800 Albox, Almería, Spain
If you are unable to attend then please keep up-to-date on all the relevant information on gov.uk/livinginspain, where you can sign up for email alerts, so that you know when things have been updated. You can also follow us on facebook.com/britsinspain and take part in our Facebook Live Q&A on Friday 31 January at midday.