Brit Consul Urges UK Expats In Spain To Register

The British consul has warned UK expats in Marbella to ensure they’re all officially resident if they want their post-Brexit rights guaranteed.

The Brexit question and answer session held in Marbella’s town hall by the British consulate drew just 70 attendees, but the consul’s message was clear – the protection of expats' rights post-Brexit will depend on their official residency. With the delayed parliamentary vote on the PM’s withdrawal agreement due tomorrow, the plight of Britons in a number of EU member states is as uncertain as it’s ever been, as is the direction of Brexit itself.

Should the vote reject the unpopular agreement, only two options seem to remain – either a devastating no-deal Brexit or a second referendum based on facts rather than on voter manipulation. According to British Consul Charmaine Arbouin, both the British and Spanish governments are now working on ways and means to protect British expatriates’ rights, with Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez making it clear he wishes to ensure all Brits living in the country can stay with the minimum of fuss and bureaucracy. However, he’s clear on one point – that protection for UK expats can only be granted to those who’re legally registered as residents.

Arbouin added it’s actually a legal requirement for those staying longer than 90 days to take residence, and informed attendees at the meet that bilateral discussions are now taking place on the issues of healthcare and visa-free travel. The meeting was set up by campaign group Brexpats in Spain, started by Anne Hermandez after the shock 2016 referendum result.