SHARE
COPY LINK

BREXIT

The bright side of Brexit: The ‘good news’ for Brits in Spain

Britain has voted to leave the European Union, and many if not most British expats in Spain are deeply concerned. But there are a few silver linings... perhaps.

The bright side of Brexit: The 'good news' for Brits in Spain
Could Brexit be a reason to celebrate in Spain? Photo: AFP

Readers fed up with all the negativity have asked us to try and put some positive spin on the result of the Brexit referendum and the economic fall out, which began even before the results came in.

It has not been easy, but we've had a go at looking on the bright side of Brexit for Brits in Spain.

Cheaper visits back home

With the value of the pound falling surely and swiftly since Friday morning – on Tuesday it was worth around €1.20 – life in Spain for those Britons who rely on income from back home will be more expensive. But on the flip side, it will certainly make trips home to see the family in Britain a little cheaper. Especially if you earn a wage in euros but spend in pounds.

Christmas shopping at Harrods never looked so good. 


With the current exchange rate you can buy more pounds for your euro. Photo: AFP

We've been here before

The fall in the pound is indeed worrying and Brits have told The Local they have already seen the value of their pensions cut. But the one thing to remember is that we've been here before. 

“Back in 2008 we saw almost parity between the euro and the pound so at the moment it’s not too disastrous,” Victoria Lewis, a financial advisor, told The Local.

 “Most people are not panicking yet,” she said. 

 Cate Carnduff from Herman de Graaf estate agents added: “The pound is always going up and down and around. We nearly had parity a few years ago and we didn't go out of business.”

Get rich selling your house

But as well as those who pile through the arrival gates each year, there are hundreds if not thousands who return to Britain.

 For people who already own property in Spain, now might just be the time to put it on the market, sell up and head home. Thanks to the exchange rate you're going to be able to get more for your money back home. And it might even get better if you wait a little bit.

“Given the thrashing of the exchange rates it is a good time to sell your house and buy sterling,” said Maura Hillen, a town councillor in Albox representing expats.


Photo: AFP

And it's not all bad news for buyers

While it may become a good market for leavers (those heading out of Spain, not those who voted Out) the reality is that it's still not too bad for buyers either. While estate agents are clearly concerned, they say there are still many great deals out there for those looking to sell up in the UK and buy a house in Spain.

 “The Brits buy in Spain for the wonderful climate and bohemian lifestyle. That hasn’t changed and houses in Spain will always have a pull for the British purchaser,” a spokesman for property website Kyero told The Local. 

“There was a very healthy market for Spanish property before Spain joined the Eurozone and there'll still be a thriving market once Britain leaves. Property prices in Spain remain relatively low, and this is still an excellent time to make a shrewd investment in the Spanish property market.”

Nothing will happen for a while, if ever?

One thing that is certain is that nothing will happen for a while. And some, in fact many are suggesting that it will become so complicated for the UK to leave the EU that it might never happen. 

In the meantime Simon Manley, British Ambassador in Madrid sent a message of calm to expats in Spain.

“The truth is that, right now, nothing has changed. You can still live here, work here, just as you did before.”

 

 

Europe might actually become stronger

Of course, no one knows what will happen with the EU now that the UK has voted to leave. But its leaders, at least those from France, Germany and Italy, are promising “a new impulse” to the EU now that the “enfant terrible” has it made it clear it wants a divorce.

It may be that the British public's rejection of the EU, may force Europe to carry out the many necessary reforms to prevent other countries from following suit. And without Britain blocking the path, it may actually be possible to bring Europe closer together politically, which is what many economists believe is necessary.

In short, Brexit could give the EU an almighty kick up the backside and force it to take steps to make its economy stronger and to make the voters feel less disconnected from the decision makers.

It's a great time to become Spanish

Let’s face it, Spaniards know how to enjoy life. Not only do they have an amazing climate and great food but they also enjoy the longest life expectancy in the world (after the Japanese).

For those who've always dreamed of being one of them, this might be your chance.

READ MORE: Worried about Brexit? Here's how to become Spanish

 What better excuse could there be to apply for Spanish citizenship – if you qualify that is, than the potential troubles ahead now that the UK has voted Leave?

Wedding bells for Spanish-British couples?

Again this all depends on what happens over the next two years but the Brexit could mean a surge in marriages between Spanish and British couples, the easiest way for a Brit to gain Spanish citizenship.

Some of you have already told us about proposals prompted by Brexit. And as the uncertainty lingers we expect to hear more.

Those interested can follow The Local’s handy guide to getting married in Spain.

Fewer Brits on the Costas?

With the falling pound we might well see less Brits choosing to head to Spain for their holidays and hope instead to save some money on a ‘staycation’. That might mean less of a pile up on those popular resorts and less bad behaviour from untrained youths in hotspots like San Antonio and Magaluf. 

And if Brexit really does mean an end to free health care in Spain, it could send pensioners hurrying home. Just imagine Benidorm without the mobility scooters?


Photo: AFP

Better relations with American expats

There's nothing like commiserating about the trials and tribulations of bureaucracy to bring people together. If Brexit happens, Brits would probably have to face the prospect of all kinds of administrative headaches and red tape that Americans have already been dealing with forever, so they're sure to make some Yankee friends who will certainly be empathetic about their plight, and will no doubt have some useful advice.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

TRAVEL NEWS

EES: Could the launch of Europe’s new border system be delayed again?

After being postponed several times already Europe's new biometric Entry/Exit border system (EES) is set to be rolled out in October, but with fears of lengthy queues, problems with a new app and demands for more time, could it be postponed again?

EES: Could the launch of Europe's new border system be delayed again?

Could the entry into operation of the EU entry/exit system (EES), the new biometric passport checks for non-EU citizens at the Schengen area’s external borders, be delayed yet again?

Originally planned for May 2022, EES has already been postponed many times.

The current launch date, set for October 2024, was chosen to avoid periods of peak traffic and France in particular had requested to avoid it being launched until after the Paris Olympics this summer.

When asked to confirm the October start date this week a spokesperson for the EU’s Commission told The Local that the “roadmap” for the EES IT system foresees it will be ready for Autumn 2024. But the actual start date, in other words, the day when passengers will have to register, would be confirmed nearer the time.

The spokesperson said: “The exact date will be determined by the European Commission and announced on the EES official website well in time for the start of operations.”

READ ALSO: Your key questions answered about Europe’s new EES passport checks

But the reasons are adding up to suggest an October start date is optimistic, perhaps even unlikely.

In the annual report on the ‘State of Schengen’ published last week, the European Commission spelt out that severe challenges remain if member states are to be ready on time.

“In 2023, efforts to ensure the entry into operation of the Entry-Exit System in the autumn of 2024 were accelerated… While important progress has been made across the Schengen area, some Member States are still falling behind, notably regarding the effective equipment of border crossing points. The Commission calls on all Member States to urgently accelerate preparations to ensure the timely implementation of the system…”

A map in the report shows that preparation is still “in progress” in 13 Schengen area countries, including Germany, Norway and Switzerland. “Outstanding issues” still impact Portugal, Malta and Bulgaria.

The state of play for the preparations for EES across EU and Schengen states. Image: European Commission.

There are also reports that EU heavyweight Germany is trying to persuade Brussels to delay.

Matthias Monroy, editor of the German civil rights journal Bürgerrechte & Polizei/CILIP claimed on his website that “the German government is lobbying in Brussels to postpone the date once again, as otherwise the German tests of the EES cannot be completed in full. Other EU countries are also behind schedule, with only eight of them having reported successful integration.”

Even on a French government website it talks of EES being rolled out some time “between the end of 2024 and 2025” rather than stating October 2024.

And according to recent media reports, French airports have been advised to be ready for November 6th, rather than October. 

READ ALSO: EES and Etias – what are the big upcoming travel changes in Europe?

A planned EU app, believed to be essential to the smooth operation of EES because it would allow non-EU visitors to register in advance of travel will not be ready, Gwendoline Cazenave, Managing Director of Eurostar International, the company operating train services via the Channel Tunnel, has told the BBC. The EU however insists the app does not need to be up and running before EES is introduced.

In the UK, which will be heavily impacted by EES due to the fact it is no longer in the EU and so British travellers are no longer EU citizens, the House of Commons European scrutiny committee is conducting an inquiry on the potential disruption the introduction of the EES will cause at the border.

Several respondents have recently raised the alarm about the possible delays the system could cause, especially at the UK-France border, which is used by millions of passengers each year who head to France and other countries across Europe.

Ashford Borough Council in Kent has warned of the possibility of more than 14 hours queues to reach the Port of Dover, which has already been struggling increased checked after Brexit.

The BBC reported that back in March, a P&O Ferries director said the IT system should be delayed again.

Airlines have also complained about the fact pre-travel EES requirements would make last minute bookings impossible.

The Union des Aéroports Français (UAF), which represents airports in France, has simply said more time is needed.

In other words, it would be little surprise if the roll out was delayed again beyond October 2024.

But the Commission spokesperson told The Local that “the timeline for the entry into operation of the EES took into account all the necessary activities to be performed by all relevant stakeholders to ensure a timely entry into operation. 

“The Commission is working very closely with eu-Lisa [the EU agency in charge of the IT system], the Member States and carriers to ensure that everything is ready for the timely and successful launch of the Entry Exit System.

“The roadmap for the delivery of the new IT architecture foresees that the Entry/Exit system will be ready to enter into operation in Autumn 2024.”

New digital border

The EES is a digital system to register travellers from non-EU countries when they cross a border in or out of the Schengen area, the travel-free area. It will be deployed in 29 countries across Europe including 25 EU states plus Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Ireland and Cyprus are the only EU members who won’t apply the EES system.

It doesn’t apply to non-EU nationals who are legally resident in an EU/Schengen area country or those with dual nationality of an EU /Schengen county. The system was designed to increase security and to ensure that non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area short-term do not stay more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

Instead of having the passport stamped, travellers will have to scan it at self-service kiosks before crossing the border. However, fingerprints and a photo will have to be registered in front of a guard at the first crossing and there are huge concerns the extra time needed could generate long queues in the UK, where there are juxtaposed border checks with the EU.

Preparations are ongoing throughout Europe and some countries have made good progress.

In France, Getlink, the operator of the Channel Tunnel, has recently reported that new EES infrastructure is finished at its French terminal of Coquelles, which will allow travellers to register their biometric data while travelling.

Eurostar is also installing 49 kiosks in stations for the registration of passengers. But the Union des Aéroports Français (UAF), which represents airports in France, said more time is needed.

Exempted

Meanwhile, the Polish government has urged UK citizens who are beneficiaries of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement to get a residence permit “in the context of EES/ETIAS”, even though there was not such an obligation to stay legally in Poland post-Brexit.

“Having such a document is beneficial as it will exempt from future Entry/Exit System (EES) registration when crossing external borders and from the need to obtain an ETIAS travel permit in relation to short-term travel to EU/Schengen countries,” the government page says.

This article as published in collaboration with Europe Street news.

SHOW COMMENTS