This article has a more pessimistic tone:

https://www.thelocal.fr/20231201/fre...nd-home-owners

Like Barnier said, Brexit has consequences and the loss of EU freedom of movement is just one of many.

Politicians know this isn't over because brexit is like having a busted knee and pretending that you can go on limping in perpetuity without having to fix it, but instead they prefer to kowtow to the deranged geriatric ward rather than face the issue.

Even joining the EEA would put the economy back on track and reverse our loss of freedom of movement.

Interesting article in the UK Sunday Times today to the effect that some European countries, notably Portugal, are turning a blind eye to the 90 day rule. It observes that, 'Two weeks ago there were murmurings that politicians in France and Spain were manoeuvring for a relaxation in the rules. But it could be years before a solution is reached. Meanwhile, some Britons are growing wise to the fact that in some places the rule is not being enforced'.

It also includes the statement that 'Since the start of 2021, 1,550 British nationals have been deported from EU countries following an “order to leave” notice. This could be for a number of reasons, including overstaying residence and study visas. Sweden accounts for half of that number, and has deported 925 Brits. France has deported 80; Spain and Portugal have deported none.'

Don't bank on that continuing to be the case.

Once the long awaited EES comes into force, the entire system will be automated, will log all entries and exits on a central database and it will automatically calculate how much time you have left in Schengen. EES will tie up with ETIAS which will hold your personal details.

They might be overlooking overstayers now but soon it will be out of their hands.

I agree.

But it wasn't Brits freedom of movement that was the important point though was it???
A huge percentage of British people never cared about moving to another country (and they still dont)....BUT.....

All the Eastern European countries were rubbing their hands on their inner thighs waiting for FOM once they got in the EU...
Just so all their young unemployed etc could flock to countries such as Germany, France and the Uk to earn money and not be a cost to their home country..

Cant see any relaxing of the 90 day, unless Spain etc want to bring in a special visa for Swallows and Im happy if the visa costs money (which it should do) after all most of these people are second home owners, so they aint short of a few bob.

My 2c....

As I understand it, EU/Schengen residents are exempt from EES and ETIAS and their documents such as Spanish TIE will continue to be checked manually. In the worst case scenario, at Schengen external border, residents will be lumped together with visa nationals (Russians, Chinese, Africans etc) in a huge, slow-moving queue, while non-residents who hold ETIAS approval just waltz through e-gate.

This is about non resident UK nationals overstaying in EU states as discussed in The Times article. They will get caught when they waltz through the e gates once EES/ETIAS are live.

You are right, both EU nationals and EU residents are exempt from EES/ETIAS but UK and other third country nationals resident in the EU will have to be checked manually at borders.

I agree, this was about torching our own rights just so that others' rights would catch fire too. It was always about the haters in the UK who couldn't stand that someone from Europe could be their neighbour.

So instead they are going to have even more incomers... except this time they won't be from Europe but from far, far away.

Here's where you're wrong. No country wants to be drained of their workforce so no government was happy about it. But at the same time no gov't would dare block its citizens from making their own decisions because otherwise they've be voted out at the next available opportunity.

And for the UK economy it was a huge boost, not to mention a major bonus to public finances. So now instead of propelling the economy forward we've just shot ourselves in the foot by actually removing the most beneficial people who have made the most positive impact:

If it ever happens

"The automatic granting of a long-stay visa based solely on property ownership could be perceived as favouring a category of people because of their financial situation, creating inequality in relation to other foreign nationals who have to follow a more rigorous procedure to obtain such a visa."

A second amendment on the same topic added: "Nothing justifies this exemption, British citizens made a sovereign choice to leave the European Union and renounce the advantages that come with it. The simple fact of owning a second property is not sufficient grounds to justify exemption from visa requirements."

Well said the Assemblée nationale, echo's my sentiments exactly, it cannot and should not be about those fortunate enough to be able to afford 2nd homes.

Do you have a link to the whole article wherever it was published ?

Visas and property ownership, investment or wealth go hand in hand in many countries. It’s not really a new concept.

Just for a laugh, let's see Michael Gove again picking his words very carefully before the Brexit referendum. Nobody can say they were lied to, can they?



"Legally and ordinarily resident" - no-one who just visited their second home for the weekend or over the winter ever was.

I watched that TV debate live and I've quoted those blood curdling lies from Gove on numerous occasions because they really stood out. He knew that woman was not talking about existing residents in EU states and was talking about her future retirement which would be post Brexit.

​​​​​​No wonder he's aged about 100 years, his marriage has gone down the bog (although sometimes I think Vine is worse than he is) and their friends deserted them.

People don't forgive or forget lies like that.

Thats as may be, but the EU is now actively attempting to get its member countries to remove the Golden Visa as it is a way of 'buying' residency that is not fair.
This article has more details
https://www.euronews.com/travel/2023...em-up-for-good

For my 2c I think its a good thing to end it. The rich already have far more privileges than they deserve, why should just throwing cash around allow you move wherever you want?