"We are a big country with a big democracy and a big future and now we have to decide what kind of future we want outside of the European Union."
For many Britons resident in Spain and other EU states, what the future holds is causing some concern. As the Bulletin reported yesterday, the ambassador has welcomed the various associations and groups which have been set up to defend the rights of British residents. These are providing vital information about what British residents are concerned with, which can be fed to the British government and taken into account during the process of deciding the future of the UK outside of the EU.
"Health care is a main worry and there are two main worries. Firstly, people want to know that they will still have access to medical care once the UK has left the EU. Secondly, what are the alternatives? At the moment, free health care in Spain for registered British residents is part of an EU regulation and the costs are either covered by the British government in a reciprocal agreement or by some 200 million euros raised by the EU health card. That is all controlled by an EU framework, so that is obviously something we are going to have to address and decide whether we want to continue with a European-wide system or negotiate bilateral agreements with individual countries.
"That said, in the meantime I would recommend all Britons living permanently in Spain to register with their local town hall and make sure they are entitled to all the corresponding state services because, sooner or later, they are going to require some kind of help. Especially older people who may need social assistance. But thanks to the great consular team we have here in Spain, we are doing our best to keep people informed of all developments via our various digital platforms. We are also here to try and answer any questions or ease any fears.
"However, Brexit has not been triggered by the British government yet and then we have a period of two years to negotiate our future relations with EU states. I am convinced that when it comes to Spain our relationship will only get stronger. This will give us an opportunity to sit down and talk about issues which affect both Britons in Spain and Spaniards in the UK and get a much better deal for both sides.
"We are embarking on a complex process, we are entering uncharted waters, but we need to all work together to come up with practical solutions, and Spain and the UK have extremely close ties. Apart from the UK being Spain’s largest tourism market, both countries have important economic ties. Investment is continuing to flow in both directions and we are working hard to make sure that we continue doing business together."
"Creating sustainable growth is a priority for both the UK and Spain. I’m delighted that some 400 Spanish companies are registered in the UK and that investors such as Santander, Telefónica, Iberdrola and Ferrovial have made Spain our sixth largest inward investor. There is no reason why that will not continue."
The consular service is not only there to look after the welfare of residents but also the 13 million plus British visitors who come to Spain every year. "With regard to the Balearics, in particular Majorca and Magalluf, I am pleased they appear calmer this summer. Majorca is in the hearts of the British public. It has been and will be for generations. It’s a safe, quality destination which is doing it’s very best to improve the standards even further. And I am pleased that the number of serious cases has fallen this year. I thank the police and the local authorities for the efforts they have made to ensure that people have a great and safe time while on holiday. But we’re still not entirely satisfied, so there is still work to be done with the cooperation of the security and medical services and the local authorities. It’s just simple things we are trying to get across to people: behave, act safely, drink responsibly and look out for and look after each other.
"We are also looking at how we and the local authorities can tackle bars and hotels which encourage clients to drink excessively and to behave badly. But the biggest problem is passport losses. With over 21,000 British passports lost or stolen last year, including 5,172 in Spain, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is urging British nationals abroad to be #PassportAware and keep their passports safe in order to avoid extra costs and troubles which may spoil their holidays. Again, with the help of the local authorities across Spain, we are working on trying to locate places where people are most vulnerable in having their passports stolen. All these kinds of things are going to continue being challenges whether we are in the EU or not."
Again this week there have been reports of Spain, in particular the popular holiday resorts, being targets for Daesh. The ambassador previously served as the FCO’s director of defence and strategic threats leading the government’s international counter-terrorist, counter-proliferation and counter-narcotics efforts as head of counter-terrorism Police. He has every confidence in the action being taken by the Spanish security forces and intelligence services and is not overly concerned.
"The Guardia Civil and the Spanish law enforcement agencies are doing an incredible job. Just like the UK, Spain has had to confront domestic and international jihadist terrorism, but the quality of Spanish law enforcement and intelligence is absolutely first class. Obviously there is no 100 per cent guarantee against the threat Daesh poses, but I am extremely proud of the level of cooperation the British intelligence services have with their Spanish counterparts."
"In the meantime, there is no great cause for Britons living in Spain to be nervous about what the outcome of Brexit is going to be. I can understand that there is uncertainty. We have very good relationships with all the regional authorities and of course central government, and that will not change. Like I said, in five to ten years time, these relationships will be even stronger. But it is up to the UK to decide want it wants from Europe and how it intends to continue working with Europe while also opening itself up to a more global market in the best interests of everyone."
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When a UK tourist uses the Spanish health system with the EHIC card, the cost is added to the UK bill. We a Spanish tourist uses the UK health system with the EHIC card, the cost is added to the Spanish bill. At the end of the year the two figures are compared and the difference is paid up. This could (and should) still go on after Brexit takes place (if it ever does) because it is a mutual agreement. The only difference is it won't be a European agreement, it will a nation to nation agreement. Well that is how it was explained to me.
S. The EHIC is for visiting tourists, - not residents. To answer your questions in order : Yes it does. Yes it will. You'll be treated for emergencies only. Yes they can. Who knows.
How is it free if you have to pay tax to get it, - same goes for kids education. The article is nonsemse.
I agree with you wolfgang you should only get free healthcare if you pay into the system ..not when your on holiday and that is for everyone no matter what country you live in.The article gives the impression that Britex will mean no free health care but people didnt get it anyway. If your resident in Spain you have to pay into medical care you dont get it free with or without the EU Tourists get free Emergancy healthcare but only if your in the country for less than 4 weeks.
Seems like there is some confusion below. Let's clear this up, if you are resident and pay income tax, you should get healthcare, if not, bugger off (same applies to Spaniards in UK)
The article quotes "...free health care in Spain for registered British residents is part of an EU regulation..." - this is FALSE !
Humphrey, that is not what was stated in the article, or what we are talking about.
Steve, my mother, for example, is retired here and she is registered etc. and is entitled to free health care on the Spanish system, she is using it right now, unfortunately, and my late father did before.
As Steve said people visiting Spain just get emergency health care and your card only covers you if your staying in Spain for short visits. You still need to take out travel insurance to get you back to England if your ill to travel and need doctors to travel back with you or maybe an ambulance. If i were to live in Spain I would need private healthcare ? I think only people living in a country can decide what happens in that country and that goes for all countries. How could a person decide what they want a country to do if they dont live in it ?
Wondering if EHIC facility remains valid. Will it be valid for Spanish people in UK?. (For the next two years.} Can I use the local health service etc., and can the Spanish continue to use the National Health services in UK ?. 'Brexit' may take longer than two years. I predict 5 years and another referendum !!!.