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BREXIT

Brexit: ‘Withdrawal Agreement or nothing’ – EU deals new blow to rights of Britons

Despite pressure from the UK and campaigners the EU's chief Brexit negotiator has again snubbed the idea that the rights of Brits in the EU and Europeans in the UK could be safe-guarded to avoid the upheaval of a no-deal Brexit.

Brexit: 'Withdrawal Agreement or nothing' - EU deals new blow to rights of Britons
Michel Barnier has dealt a new blow to hopes of citizens' rights being ring-fenced.

Campaigners for the rights of Britons living in the EU were given a boost recently when the UK's Brexit Minister Steve Barclay wrote a letter to the EU to push for the citizens' rights part of the Brexit deal to be ring-fenced.

That would mean the rights of Britons in the EU and European citizens in the UK would be protected – or at least those agreed in Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement  – even in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

But the EU's Brexit negotiator has once again poured cold water on the idea in a written reply to Barclay.

Michel Barnier insists that the Brexit deal is the best and perhaps only multilateral agreement that could protect citizens' rights and must be agreed as a whole package.

Below is an extract from the letter published June 24th.

Barnier says: “There is no other way to achieve all the benefits that the Withdrawal Agreement provides.”

Barnier said that if the Withdrawal Agreement is not signed – and at this point it looks dead in the water, given that Boris Johnson is the next likely British Prime Minister – then each EU member state would take the necessary action to protect Britons.

Barnier's letter should not be read as a complete rejection of ring-fencing citizens' rights, with campaigners insisting that member states could still agree to it and the political will must come via the European Council.

Nevertheless they were left feeling let down by his response.

“We are very disappointed, quite frankly,” British in Europe's Jeremy Morgan told a Westminster Committee hearing this week.

Morgan said he felt the EU were being “unreasonable” but urged the UK to keep up the pressure.

“It is absolutely critical that any default agreement, if I can call it that, on citizens’ rights takes place before Britain’s exit.

“We would strongly encourage the British Government to keep up the pressure. We are doing so, for our part, among the nation states in the EU, and centrally in our lobbying there.”

British in Europe's Jane Golding added: “This will only move if the EU Council makes a decision, so the decision on this lies in each of the EU27.”

 

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VISAS

How easy is it to retire to Austria?

Although Spain or Italy might have beaches and sun, Austria has plenty to offer someone looking for a place to spend their Golden Years. And while it's not the easiest place to retire to, it's still well within reach for many.

How easy is it to retire to Austria?

For EU nationals, retiring in Austria is fairly straightforward. You just need to register as a resident and complete some other paperwork, but you won’t need a visa or residence permit.

The process is even relatively simple for non-EU nationals – as there is a type of retirement visa. You will need to renew it relatively frequently though.

The reasons are also relatively clear – with plenty of opportunities to enjoy an active lifestyle with easy access to skiiing, hiking and fresh mountain air, while at the same time partaking in the high culture of the country’s opera houses, coffee houses, and more – Austria is a natural choice for many potential retirees.

it also boasts excellent services – from health care to public transport, and its central location in Europe can also make it a great place to explore from.

READ ALSO: Five reasons to retire to Austria

What visa and residence permit do I need?

If you’re from a non-EU country such as the UK, USA, or Canada you can travel to Austria for up to three months without a visa and apply for your residence permit within three months of arriving in Austria. If you are from a country that doesn’t have visa-free travel with the EU, you will need to apply for a visa first and then your residence permit when you get to Austria.

The visa and residence permit you need to apply for is a “Settlement permit – gainful employment excluded”. This particular permit is popular with retirees as it allows people to live in Austria, but not to work.

There are some downsides, however. For one, Austria has a quote that limits the number of these permits that are given out each year. Second, the permit lasts for only a year and thus has to be renewed regularly. After five years of continuous residence in Austria, you can apply for permanent residence.

EXPLAINED: Do your pension contributions abroad count in Austria?

Self-employment – even if working for a company that’s based abroad – is not allowed under this permit. All your income must come from passive sources. These can include foreign pensions, rental income, or investment income. Singles must make at least €2,220.52 and couples a combined €3,503.12 per month from these passive income sources to qualify for this permit.

If you have dependent children – for example, perhaps grandchildren you may be taking care of full-time – you’ll need to have an additional €342.62 per child.

You’ll also need to prove that you have German skills at the A1 level. Luckily, this is the most basic level.

COMPARED: How to get a visa to settle in either Germany or Austria for retirement 

What healthcare arrangements will I need to have in place?

When applying for a settlement permit for Austria, you’ll need to show that you have health insurance that covers you for at least €30,000 in costs. This is typically done through a private plan.

Once your residency is confirmed, you’re eligible then to enrol with Austrian public health insurance, typically through the ÖGK fund. You can, of course, retain additional private health insurance on top of this. But all residents of Austria mush have public insurance – with your payments calculated as a proportion of your income.

READ ALSO: What kind of insurance do I need to have in Austria?

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