- Home » Expat News » No deal Brexit still major risk for Brit expats in Europe
No deal Brexit still major risk for Brit expats in Europe
| Published: | 5 Sep at 6 PM |
Want to get involved?
Become a Featured Expat and take our interview.
Become a Local Expert and contribute articles.
Get in touch today!
Become a Local Expert and contribute articles.
Get in touch today!
UK expatriates in Europe are still unsure of their rights some two years after the Brexit referendum.
More than two years after the Brexit referendum, British expatriates living, working or retiring across the EU are no closer to having any security as regards their rights than they were when the result was announced. In spite of empty promises by the British government, it’s now clear the plight of over a million Britons is of no concern to the UK’s negotiating team. In a recent release of government papers outlining no-deal contingency plans, no mention is made about expatriate pensioners’ healthcare or whether the British state pension will be frozen for those living in Europe. The EU negotiating team also seems to be ignoring these crucial issues.
The British in Europe campaign group has asked both EU and UK Brexit negotiators to consider ring-fencing citizens rights to protect them from the fallout of a no-deal Brexit. Approaches by concerned parties to the Brexit ministry and the UK Department for Work and Pensions have resulted in a total lack of reassurance on both the above points, even although the French prime minister has urged his cabinet to work on plans for a no-deal exit. Talks are not now expected to end before the October EU summit takes place and are likely to extend into November in an attempt to avoid a no-deal disaster.
The elephants in the room are the thorny issue of the Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland border and the trade aspects of any future relationship between the UK and the European Union. Should a deal be reached, the position of British expats in EU member states would remain mostly the same until the end of the transition period in 2020. This would give the various EU member states time to decide on how to deal with the rights of their British expat residents, and would also allow meaningful debates on other issues. At present, agreement on several issues is being held back by Theresa May’s Chequers proposal, disliked by EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, who believes if he gives in to its terms other EU countries might follow in the UK’s footsteps.
More than two years after the Brexit referendum, British expatriates living, working or retiring across the EU are no closer to having any security as regards their rights than they were when the result was announced. In spite of empty promises by the British government, it’s now clear the plight of over a million Britons is of no concern to the UK’s negotiating team. In a recent release of government papers outlining no-deal contingency plans, no mention is made about expatriate pensioners’ healthcare or whether the British state pension will be frozen for those living in Europe. The EU negotiating team also seems to be ignoring these crucial issues.
The British in Europe campaign group has asked both EU and UK Brexit negotiators to consider ring-fencing citizens rights to protect them from the fallout of a no-deal Brexit. Approaches by concerned parties to the Brexit ministry and the UK Department for Work and Pensions have resulted in a total lack of reassurance on both the above points, even although the French prime minister has urged his cabinet to work on plans for a no-deal exit. Talks are not now expected to end before the October EU summit takes place and are likely to extend into November in an attempt to avoid a no-deal disaster.
The elephants in the room are the thorny issue of the Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland border and the trade aspects of any future relationship between the UK and the European Union. Should a deal be reached, the position of British expats in EU member states would remain mostly the same until the end of the transition period in 2020. This would give the various EU member states time to decide on how to deal with the rights of their British expat residents, and would also allow meaningful debates on other issues. At present, agreement on several issues is being held back by Theresa May’s Chequers proposal, disliked by EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, who believes if he gives in to its terms other EU countries might follow in the UK’s footsteps.
Comments » No published comments just yet for this article...
Feel free to have your say on this item. Go on... be the first!
