Pensions and healthcare are currently the two primary concerns of Britons resident in Spain, and last week a select committee of 21 MPs was told in London of the wider Brexit concerns worrying Britions living across the European Union.
Sue Wilson, who lives between Valencia and Barcelona, was representing British residents in Spain. She has set up an organisation called Bremain in Spain and, as of yesterday morning, it has 4,100 members.
"The simple aim of the body is to protect the rights of Britons who live in Spain and also to try and block Brexit, this debate is not over by a long shot," she told the Bulletin from London yesterday.
"Last week four of us representing Britons living in Spain, France, Italy and Belgium sat before the Exiting the European Union Select Committee and, to be honest, we knew far more about the possible hurdles and challenges than they did. The government is certainly in the dark when it comes to British residents living in the European Union and we are also way down it list of priorities right now," Wilson said.
"However, we all addressed different issues so we could raise as many as possible, shed as much light as possible on the situation because London appears to be very much in the dark about the potential plight of British living in the EU, and it was a positive meeting.
"It was the first time we had all met and I hope that, now we have a working relationship with the select committee, we can all move forward together and, if Brexit does finally go ahead, come up with a plan which will protect the rights of Britons living in the EU." Wilson described a "very simple process" with a two-page form to apply for permanent residency.
But the fall in the value of the pound in recent months has worried British retirees in Spain, she said.
"Pensioners are already suffering financially as a result of the exchange rates. They are concerned if they will be able to afford health care if they will need to pay for it.
"Many moved to Spain originally because it was cheaper to live there. Many are struggling," she said.
Around 70,000 British pensioners live in Spain, compared to just 62 Spanish retirees in Britain, according to comments made in November by Chris Wormald, permanent secretary at the UK’s Department of Health.
"But in Spain, it’s not all about pensioners," Wilson said.
"Only a third of Britons residents in Spain are pensioners, the rest are workers with families and they too have serious concerns.
"Many of the working people are worried about the possibility of work permits and visa being reintroduced.
"Some are even concerned about whether their qualifications, which are currently recognised across the EU and elsewhere will continue to be so, or will they have to requalify in Spain in Spanish. All these are issues which need to be raised and discussed but for the meantime, as I said, London and the British government appears to be very much in the dark about what Brexit could mean to Britons who have either retired or are working in Spain and other EU countries," Wilson stressed.
"So, we have a long way to go and we all have a lot of work to do but hopefully common sense will prevail in the end and Brexit will be scrapped."
For more information www.bremaininspain.com.
12 comments
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Strewth! I should have stopped reading at 'Blocking Brexit'Fantasists!!
Having just read the above article I am very uneasy about Sue Wilson's talk of blocking Brexit and hoping Brexit will be scrapped. It seems she is dreaming of that day when the UK government will fly in the face of the people's democratic vote and finally give up on the idea of leaving the EU, having capitulated to unrelenting and endless legal and parliamentary challenges and stalling in the part of the Remainers. But if that ever happens I for one and I am sure many other people who voted Leave would resort to civil disobedience.
I think that the point here is that you cannot pick 'n mix. Pointless complaining about issues that you cannot change, - make the decision, that's it.
These people made a decision to leave the UK. This was based on various reasons such as Health, weather ,economics ect. Now they have another decision to make Taken that Spain,s economy will not change and neither will the weather and the health benifits it gives why would they want to return. They left the UK because of a selfish reason, it was better for them, did they worry about those left behind, No. Are they not appreciative of those people they left behind , the majority who now want to leave can now make that own selfish decision for themselves. What right now you have left to say they cannot do that ?
.....I forgot to write that I also think that British immigrants should have no right to vote in a country that they do not live in. That's ridiculous. Neither should they segregate into stupid groups like this to try to change the laws of their host country, that's something else they criticise the immigrants in the UK for doing. Best just go back home and buy a sunbed.
These people are pathetic and dreaming. Brexit will happen, get over it. There are still places to live which have hot weather and cheaper that than the UK. If you want state health care you have to pay for it anywhere, and you should have enough income to retire without the UK state pension of course. Half of the British immigrants living in Spain are illegal anyway, they don't pay their taxes and don't even learn the language, - in spite of their complaining about immigrants in Britain living the same way.
Multiply the number of pensioner's by the amount you think they empty into the Spanish economy every year and you answer should be in the billions and thats only the auld yins. Never mind the other 60% of Brits who reside over here. Add to all that the British holidaymakers and you will see why the Spanish will not do a single thing to upset us. Nothing will change. Keep calm.
Poor little Valerie we really don't care about your opinion at least our kids will have a school place without having to worry about being a minority in their own school a Drs appointment and a house not to mention the NHS being able to afford to look after the people that matter our own
I am disgusted by leavers comments, most of us who retired to Spain, gave all our working lives to the UK., Paid our dues for our pensions and healthcare. Those to choose to work elsewhere, also have the choice at the moment. How dare you ruin people's futures, just because you want to remain in little Britain.
So your pension is worth less and you might not be able to afford healthcare. What about when you're pension was worth more than the average European was earning. Didn't hear anyone moaning then. No one forced people to move abroad and become immigrants in Europe. You all chose to become immigrants not ex-pats .