I’m hoping to retire to Spain soon, How will brexit affect people from U.K. moving to Spain?

As currently agreed if you move before the UK leaves in March 2019 then your existing rights will continue. If you move after Brexit then it will depend on what kind of deal is struck between the UK and the EU and whether Spain will make its own policy regarding British retirees. As it stands there is already a Spanish retirement visa which you can apply for if needs be.

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Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Which 'agreement' are you referring to and what exactly does 'move' mean, simply arriving in the country on or before Brexit day or with residency already legally established ?

If 'agreement' means Phase 1 of the Brexit negotiations dealing with citizens rights then as we're often reminded Brexit will be an 'all or nothing' deal so that part of it only comes to fruition if a deal is actually struck which is by no means certain. Note also that rights of onward movement are not included in Phase 1 and are still to be agreed - or not.

Or are you saying that Spain has committed to something firm in advance of that ?

This is highly relevant to me as having now sold my house in France plans are being put in place to relocate to Spain very probably within the next 3 months.

My position is slightly complicated by the fact of being in possession of a French Titre de Sejour (permanent right of residence) which, despite the title, is potentially at risk of being rendered invalid by taking up residence elsewhere so given the uncertainties of Brexit initially I'd be looking at ways of hanging onto my French rights at least until any rights to reside in Spain were better defined.

Thank you, this has been helpful, but it’s a wait and see situation.

Yes, I'm referring to the conclusion of Phase 1 of the Brexit negotiations. You are correct by saying 'nothing is agreed until everything is agreed' hence my use of the word 'currently'. No-one will be able to give you any guarantees until the withdrawal agreement is signed unless Spain decides to act unilaterally. The Phase 1 agreement does permit Spain to "apply more favourable national provisions" if it so wishes as it is already able to do under existing EU law although I'm not aware that they have done anything but make reassuring noises so far.

Have you considered obtaining French citizenship?

Citizenship applications are are currently taking well in excess of a year and it's getting longer as more are applying, some friends who started the process in Oct 2016 just received theirs this week and that's with him entitled through French ascendency !

It's not cheap either.

The government/EU are now saying that freedom of movement will last until the end of 2020. This may be academic as the Spanish government are saying they will allow the Brits to stay anyway.

Then it's a question of whether you consider it worth the time and money. Short of Frexit that will be the only way to guarantee your FoM right post-Brexit at the present time.

If there's a two year 'transition/implementation' phrase then that would imply FoM continuing until March 2021. I would agree that even in the unlikely event of the hardest of hard 'no deal' Brexits that Spain would have no hesitation to act unilaterally for existing residents given the cash injection into the Spanish economy 300,000 or so British retirees and expats represent.

Brexit or No Brexit, you will still be able to move to Spain, the only difference could be how much income you have as it differs from EU members to Non EU Members.

It is now being reported tha May is trying to backtrack and that FOM will stop when we leave in March 2019 rather than continue during a transition period. Reality is no one will know for sure untill the final deal is signed and ratified. I am not sure our government have a clue what they actually want!

Brexit: Theresa May prepares for fight with Brussels over EU citizens' rights | The Independent

Agreed, but its worth bearing in mind that under EU rules for EU citizens, its something like 9000 euros per annum to show for a couple, but a non EU retirement visa for settlers from outside the EU (like the UK will be) is in the region of 31000 euros per annum. Big difference, and worth remembering if worse case happens.

You mention retirement visas - I haven't seen this on any information yet - can you let me have more details? Thank you.

FOM will continue during the transition/implementation period - the dispute is whether anyone who arrives during those two years will receive permanent residence in the UK after the period ends. Not an unfair point to argue given that it normally takes five years for EU citizens to earn the right to permanent residence under the current rules. The EU seems to be proposing that full residence rights should be also be granted to those who arrived during the period, e.g. someone could arrive in March 2021 and be granted permanent residence the following month.

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consula...-Retirees.aspx