While the purchase of a holiday home in EU countries should hardly be affected by Britain’s decision to leave the UK, Brits currently thinking about the purchase of a permanent residence in Marbella or other parts of the Costa del Sol are obviously a little worried about what’s going to happen now. Those already living in Spain will be relieved to hear that Theresa May will be creating a whole new department devoted to clarifying and smoothing the path of Britain’s exit from the European Union.
In addition, British nationals can now visit a new webpage on the UK government website that will give them advice on travelling and living in European Union countries ( "http://www.gov.uk" www.gov.uk).
Negotiating the best deal possible for British expats
Following a referendum on 23rd June this year the UK is to leave the European Union, a process that politicians believe will take at least two years to formalise, according to the webpage. Britain’s government will negotiate new arrangements with the EU on many issues, including those that pertain to British expats who have already made a life for themselves in EU countries and those who wish to travel within the EU for holidays and business purposes.
Rights of British expats currently living across the EU are to be protected, according to the website, and EU nationals currently living in the UK are also to receive proper protection. On a practical level, the new webpage includes information on pensions, healthcare, passports and links to where people can find some general information on applying for dual citizenship. It seems Theresa May has had to tone down her ideas a little, since she was rather quick to talk about deportation of EU nationals living in Britain, perhaps conveniently forgetting that the same might happen to more than one million British expats living in EU countries.
Until the various points have been discussed and agreed upon with the EU, there will be no immediate changes. During this time, Britain remains a full EU member, and her citizens are therefore entitled to all the benefits and have the same obligations as all other EU citizens.
Controversial Choices for Brexit Department
Meanwhile, Theresa May, the UK’s new Prime Minister, has already named Boris Johnson and David Davis as two cabinet choices for the new Brexit Department, which will be led by David Davis.
Having appointed Philip Hammond as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer and Boris Johnson as the Foreign Secretary, Theresa May announced the formation of the new department under the leadership of new Secretary for State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis.
Although 75% of young people voted for the UK to remain an EU member, the new Tory Prime Minister has swept all the nation’s concerns aside and is steadfastly ignoring people’s continued campaign for the UK to remain an EU member state.
As soon as it became clear that she had no further opposition in the leadership race for becoming the next Prime Minster of Britain, Theresa May announced: “Brexit means Brexit and we’re going to make a success of it.”
While few of her political colleagues are convinced that she had made a wise choice with her appointments of “foot-in-mouth” Boris Johnson and self-proclaimed Euro sceptic David Davis, she believes they can negotiate the best deal for Britain and the at least one million British expats currently living in the European Union. Malaga Province alone boasts more than 50,000 British expats.
The new website will address at least some of the most urgent concerns British expats currently living in EU countries have and should help those pondering a new life at the Costa del Sol to make a life-changing decision, whether or not to buy a home in Marbella.