Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
#1
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 45
Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
So I thought this was an insightful read.
https://www.freemovement.org.uk/anal...ens-in-the-eu/.
In effect- May's proposals are to move EU citizens to the Immigration and Asylum Act 1979. ANYONE who has dealt/read through this will know how high the thresholds are to obtain residency/visa documentation from the Home Office.
I have a non-EU spouse and have had some dealings with UKVI; I can be almost certain this is going to be a nightmare.
Which brings me on to British migrants like myself in the EU. If EU nationals in Britain are facing a hostile immigration system in Britain as is already happening now while we are still members of the EU we can be almost certain that other EU member states are going to retaliate and make life difficult for British migrants like myself in the EU.
Now I know these are draft proposals and this is a negotiation, the final position may well be extremely different from where we are today. But as I said, having a spouse who is non-EU national and having dealt with the Home Office to a great degree I highly doubt they will suddenly be more lenient with EU applications post Brexit when they aren't even doing it now.
All those "expats" who voted Brexit... I am curious to know how 'secure' you are all feeling at the moment given the real possibility that you may well lose your residency rights and healthcare rights etc post Brexit.
Which brings me to my final point. We are actually going to abandon ship (we were based in Spain, in Benalmadena and we quite liked it here but this uncertainty is driving our young family bonkers) and move to the UK because the direction of travel at the moment is for us looking gloomy at best.
https://www.freemovement.org.uk/anal...ens-in-the-eu/.
In effect- May's proposals are to move EU citizens to the Immigration and Asylum Act 1979. ANYONE who has dealt/read through this will know how high the thresholds are to obtain residency/visa documentation from the Home Office.
I have a non-EU spouse and have had some dealings with UKVI; I can be almost certain this is going to be a nightmare.
Which brings me on to British migrants like myself in the EU. If EU nationals in Britain are facing a hostile immigration system in Britain as is already happening now while we are still members of the EU we can be almost certain that other EU member states are going to retaliate and make life difficult for British migrants like myself in the EU.
Now I know these are draft proposals and this is a negotiation, the final position may well be extremely different from where we are today. But as I said, having a spouse who is non-EU national and having dealt with the Home Office to a great degree I highly doubt they will suddenly be more lenient with EU applications post Brexit when they aren't even doing it now.
All those "expats" who voted Brexit... I am curious to know how 'secure' you are all feeling at the moment given the real possibility that you may well lose your residency rights and healthcare rights etc post Brexit.
Which brings me to my final point. We are actually going to abandon ship (we were based in Spain, in Benalmadena and we quite liked it here but this uncertainty is driving our young family bonkers) and move to the UK because the direction of travel at the moment is for us looking gloomy at best.
#2
Re: Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
I think you mean to say the Immigration Act 1971 and that is true. The end of freedom of movement will certainly have an effect for those wishing to move to the UK from the EU after April 2019. For those already in the UK as a qualified person then there will be little practical difference. For those wishing to secure their position and acquire full citizenship rights in the UK then they need only make an application for naturalisation.
The same is true of yourself in Spain. If you leave now then you won't be able to take advantage of the grandfathered rights you would have earned by remaining in Spain or take the option of Spanish citizenship when you have fulfilled the residency requirements.
The same is true of yourself in Spain. If you leave now then you won't be able to take advantage of the grandfathered rights you would have earned by remaining in Spain or take the option of Spanish citizenship when you have fulfilled the residency requirements.
#3
Re: Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
It will almost certainly depend on whether the British migrants are paying their way and making a positive economic contribution. For example in Spain there are half a million British pensioners spending their pensions in Spain, and I see it as highly unlikely that the Spanish government will kick them out just to be spiteful. Ditto British engineers in Germany, British chemists in France, etc.
.... All those "expats" who voted Brexit... I am curious to know how 'secure' you are all feeling at the moment ....
#4
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 45
Re: Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
You might be "almost certain", but I am certainly not.
It will almost certainly depend on whether the British migrants are paying their way and making a positive economic contribution. For example in Spain there are half a million British pensioners spending their pensions in Spain, and I see it as highly unlikely that the Spanish government will kick them out just to be spiteful. Ditto British engineers in Germany, British chemists in France, etc.
Equally secure, and thank you for asking.
It will almost certainly depend on whether the British migrants are paying their way and making a positive economic contribution. For example in Spain there are half a million British pensioners spending their pensions in Spain, and I see it as highly unlikely that the Spanish government will kick them out just to be spiteful. Ditto British engineers in Germany, British chemists in France, etc.
Equally secure, and thank you for asking.
In any case, that simply disregards that Spain is a global destination that can attract investment from other wealthy individuals across the globe. So I am not convinced.
As for you feeling secure well glad to hear- only time will tell if that security is based on solid foundations or ill informed.
#6
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 45
Re: Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
I think you mean to say the Immigration Act 1971 and that is true. The end of freedom of movement will certainly have an effect for those wishing to move to the UK from the EU after April 2019. For those already in the UK as a qualified person then there will be little practical difference. For those wishing to secure their position and acquire full citizenship rights in the UK then they need only make an application for naturalisation.
The same is true of yourself in Spain. If you leave now then you won't be able to take advantage of the grandfathered rights you would have earned by remaining in Spain or take the option of Spanish citizenship when you have fulfilled the residency requirements.
The same is true of yourself in Spain. If you leave now then you won't be able to take advantage of the grandfathered rights you would have earned by remaining in Spain or take the option of Spanish citizenship when you have fulfilled the residency requirements.
Which is what I am trying to say; if the British government is being "hostile" towards EU migrants, why wouldn't other EU member states respond in kind? I just look at the direction of travel and the incumbent government and it isn't feeling me with confidence. If we leave now with my family then at least in the worst case scenario- we won't be faced with the prospect of being a family of "third country nationals" who all have to apply under national Immigration law and start all over again.
If we move now I will be back home and won't have to deal with all this uncertainty and the real possibility of it all going t!ts up and then panicking to have our ducks in formation.
So overall our minds are set and we believe the risks outweigh the potential pros that might come out of this Brexit situation.
#8
Re: Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
Thank you for the correction. But this is my concern exactly- according to May's document these "grandfathered rights" will be reviewed again when you apply for this settled status and doesn't mean you automatically get it.
Which is what I am trying to say; if the British government is being "hostile" towards EU migrants, why wouldn't other EU member states respond in kind? I just look at the direction of travel and the incumbent government and it isn't feeling me with confidence. If we leave now with my family then at least in the worst case scenario- we won't be faced with the prospect of being a family of "third country nationals" who all have to apply under national Immigration law and start all over again.
If we move now I will be back home and won't have to deal with all this uncertainty and the real possibility of it all going t!ts up and then panicking to have our ducks in formation.
So overall our minds are set and we believe the risks outweigh the potential pros that might come out of this Brexit situation.
Which is what I am trying to say; if the British government is being "hostile" towards EU migrants, why wouldn't other EU member states respond in kind? I just look at the direction of travel and the incumbent government and it isn't feeling me with confidence. If we leave now with my family then at least in the worst case scenario- we won't be faced with the prospect of being a family of "third country nationals" who all have to apply under national Immigration law and start all over again.
If we move now I will be back home and won't have to deal with all this uncertainty and the real possibility of it all going t!ts up and then panicking to have our ducks in formation.
So overall our minds are set and we believe the risks outweigh the potential pros that might come out of this Brexit situation.
#9
Re: Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
On the other side of the equation, government expenditure, retired people don't have children, so they don't increase the need for schools, or colleges and universities. They don't drive or travel as much, so they don't increase the need for roads and public transport, and when they do travel it isn't usually in the rush hour.
I suspect that in Spain many retired people also act as a magnet for relatives to come and visit, further increasing the "spend" without increasing the need for schools, or public services.
All things considered, in a relatively poor country with plenty of housing, pensioners are a pretty good stimulus for the economy, which is why some countries have visas especially for retired people - because, in short, they bring money but not expenses.
#10
Re: Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
I have to take you up on that point, some pensions are taxable in the country you live in, the NHS pension for one. I had to declare it and it worked out that I had to pay 2€ in tax, others who might get higher pensions would pay more, The state pension is below the UK threshold and certain government schemes HAVE to be taxed in the UK, BUT pensioners spend their money in the country they live, utilities, food, services etc so ARE contributing to the local economy.
#12
Re: Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
Thank you for the correction. But this is my concern exactly- according to May's document these "grandfathered rights" will be reviewed again when you apply for this settled status and doesn't mean you automatically get it.
Which is what I am trying to say; if the British government is being "hostile" towards EU migrants, why wouldn't other EU member states respond in kind? I just look at the direction of travel and the incumbent government and it isn't feeling me with confidence. If we leave now with my family then at least in the worst case scenario- we won't be faced with the prospect of being a family of "third country nationals" who all have to apply under national Immigration law and start all over again.
If we move now I will be back home and won't have to deal with all this uncertainty and the real possibility of it all going t!ts up and then panicking to have our ducks in formation.
So overall our minds are set and we believe the risks outweigh the potential pros that might come out of this Brexit situation.
Which is what I am trying to say; if the British government is being "hostile" towards EU migrants, why wouldn't other EU member states respond in kind? I just look at the direction of travel and the incumbent government and it isn't feeling me with confidence. If we leave now with my family then at least in the worst case scenario- we won't be faced with the prospect of being a family of "third country nationals" who all have to apply under national Immigration law and start all over again.
If we move now I will be back home and won't have to deal with all this uncertainty and the real possibility of it all going t!ts up and then panicking to have our ducks in formation.
So overall our minds are set and we believe the risks outweigh the potential pros that might come out of this Brexit situation.
#13
Re: Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
Well, I don't understand why you would think Pensioners- who do not pay taxes- are so valuable to be honest with you. If I am to be frank I think that portrays a certain level of arrogance. If I was the Spanish government I would look at the cost benefit analysis of having OAP- the contributions vs the cost of their upkeep. In my opinion it probably costs the government more particularly when you consider health (an area the Spanish government has long claimed the British reimbursements are not enough) etc vs contributions to the local economy.
In any case, that simply disregards that Spain is a global destination that can attract investment from other wealthy individuals across the globe. So I am not convinced.
As for you feeling secure well glad to hear- only time will tell if that security is based on solid foundations or ill informed.
In any case, that simply disregards that Spain is a global destination that can attract investment from other wealthy individuals across the globe. So I am not convinced.
As for you feeling secure well glad to hear- only time will tell if that security is based on solid foundations or ill informed.
#14
Re: Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
With a VAT rate of 21% (in Spain) many people pay more in VAT than they do in income tax.
#15
Re: Acquired Residency Rights Post Brexit
However, I take issue with the weird attitude that the Europeans in the UK are somehow a burden while the old Brits in Spain are the "motor of the Spanish economy". I can only tell you from an American friend, who is not poor and is not rich either, and who had to abandon plans to retire in Spain because of the requirements. I totally assume that this will be - in future - the case for many British retirees as well unless you argue that Americans are somehow less useful than British retirees are. I think that things will change for the British and I believe it very likely that many British will not be able to retire in Spain. This is the price to pay for sovereignty and for giving up an the freedom of movement.