bobd22

Just as the UK wants to control its borders then so will others including the EU. It won't shut the doors on people it just means to live elsewhere one has to comply with different rules compared with pre 1 January 2021. Those rules are no different to what anyone from a country outwith the EU have and had to comply with. That was the reason I ensured mine and my wifes residency was in place before 31 December. To achieve that has not been easy for us or without considerable expense.

Moses2013

If you are retired and don't meet the income requirements for Spain, I doubt you'll be able to move to Costa Rica or Bali if you calculate the total costs and many just wouldn't want to. Maybe places like Albania (proof of annual pension income at a minimum of Lek 1.2 million) might be more interesting and Portugal of course. I said it on the Australian forum and those plumbers/builders who were desperate for sun, will probably find it easier to get work in Australia and there will be more going there, but it's not cheap either. Retired people will just spend 3 months in Spain instead of 4 and you also have to consider that islands like Mallorca or Ibiza want to attract the wealthy resident anyway and there are enough other nations who own property there. Those who wanted to retire in Spain have also already applied for their Irish passport, so the retired couple from Belfast might move instead, especially if property is more affordable in certain parts.

spainrico

Surprised no one has mentioned ETIAS

https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-requirements/uk-citizens

https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-countries/spain-etias

Fred James

Is ETIAS relevant to this discussion?

Stingychips

Im talking about to the younger generations of expats that now work from home online. So we don’t really require a base in the UK anymore. Removal companies going out to Spain have noticed a lot more younger expats taking the place of the older ones due to brexit. I have friends that are working now in CR. Houses are cheap and the lifestyle looks brilliant.

Notdunroamin

For many long term illegals the crunch will come when their UK licences expire as they won't be able to renew them with DVLA nor obtain a Spanish one.

UK licences only last up to age 70 and photocards only last for 10 years. Paper licences are also only valid to age 70 but because they do not bear a photo of their holders from Jan 1st. need to be accompanied by an IDP which can only be obtained from a UK post office and on production of the original licence.

Moses2013

Unless you are self employed it's not that easy and the tax/legal situation is very complex. It might work in some cases, but working in CR if the clients are in Western Europe would also not work for many due to time difference. We can work from home and in Spain if we want, but moving there permanently would mean a huge pay cut and not worth it.

DLC

If you have perminent residency under the WA you can apply for an EU long term visa and use that to reduce the entry requirements in the new country you want to live in (unless it's Denmark or Ireland, but Brits have the CTA in Ireland anyway). The long term visa exchanged for a residency visa in your new country.

You do start again in your new country, but I think under the WA you can go back to Spain within five years and carry on where you left off, unless being a long term resident means you lose your WA rights.

Stingychips

So next month we should start seeing undocumented expats in breach of there new 90 day visas. Will be very interesting to see what action the Spanish government take.

ETwenthome

What "new 90 day visas"?

Joppa

Stingychips probably means 90-in-180 days' stay permitted under the Schengen rules for non-visa nationals like the Brits?

Fred James

No, he said “90” day visas. There is no such thing.

Joppa

True, but it's easy to see what he meant.

missile

As and when they come to attention of authorities, I expect those living under the radar, will be treated exactly the same as any other illegal immigrant.

bobd22

This is a clear explanation of what consequences may apply.
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/new...y%20ban%20too.