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The ultimate no-deal Brexit checklist for Brits in Italy

With 50 days to go and less clarity than ever, many Brits living in Italy are getting understandably concerned about what Brexit will mean for them.

Published: 7 February 2019 17:06 CET
Updated: 13 March 2019 16:43 CET

The ultimate no-deal Brexit checklist for Brits in Italy

Have you got all your paperwork in order? Photo: DepositPhotos

British in Italy, the citizens' group that has been campaigning hard to make sure Brits keep their rights in the event of a no-deal Brexit, has just released a new and updated version of their checklist detailing everything we can do to make sure we're covered, whatever happens.

“With the British government admitting that it is making contingency plans for a ‘no deal Brexit’, including proposals to stock pile food and medicines, we think it is sensible for all Brits living in Italy to consider some personal preparations for the no-deal scenario in order to put yourself in the best possible situation should the worst happen,” wrote British in Italy.

Photo: DepositPhotos

These things “should not have any negative impact in the event of a deal, but should the worst-case scenario happen, could help you deal with the fall-out”.

The list of recommendations is long and detailed, but it's definitely worth reading.

So if you've not done these things already, here are your next steps:

1. Make sure that you're legally resident in Italy under current rules.
That means you should:

Apply for residenza and a Carta d’Identità under the current rules (register at the Anagrafe office of your local comune. The Italian government is urging all British citizens living in Italy to register before March 29th. You will need evidence of the following:
- A job contract or evidence of self-employment;
- if not working a specified minimum level of financial income/support. The amount is the equivalent of the assegno sociale which is currently around €5,900 or so (you need to ask your comune what is acceptable evidence; some accept a letter from your Italian bank manager stating that you have the specified amount or more);
- if not working, you will need private health insurance or an S1 (which you obtain from the UK if a UK pensioner).

The attestazione di residenza will evidence your legal residence in Italy and give you proof that you were legally resident on March 29th, 2019. This may be like gold dust in the case of a no deal exit, and if there is a Withdrawal Agreement it will help you benefit from a streamlined process to receive a new card if necessary under post-Brexit rules.
Years of living in Italy do not necessarily count – only legal residence. So if you have been living ‘under the radar’ so-to-speak, try to rectify the situation in advance of March 29th, 2019.
If your comune will not process your application for residenza until after March 29th, or will only give you an interview after March 29th, keep a clear record of when you made the application itself, or a clear record of when you applied for the interview.
Evidence of application: the method of applying depends on the comune you live in. In some you can apply be email – try if possible to send the email by PEC email; if applying by post, send it raccomandata con ricevuto di ritorno; if applying on-line for an appointment, print off a copy of the on-line registration of your application and its date; if applying directly to the comune, keep a copy of your application and ask the comune to either give you a ricevuto or stamp your copy.

If you have been resident for less than three months by 29^th March, apply for your attestazione di residenza if you intend to live here permanently (and keep all the evidence above if it will not be processed before 29^th March). Further, if your comune will not allow you to apply before 29^th March, keep evidence of your application or request for residence (eg a letter to the comune confirming that you went to the relevant office but were refused an application at that stage – letter to be sent raccomandata con ricevuto di ritorno), keep details/evidence of your arrival (flight tickets or stamp in passport or whatever evidence you can obtain), evidence of your rental contract or property purchase, or even hotel/AirBnB stay, Italian bank account showing payments in and out for eg utility bills if appropriate. Basically, any evidence that shows you were in the country on 29^th March and intending to stay (not just a tourist visit) may help should the transition period under a No-Deal Brexit provide some leeway.

Photo: DepositPhotos

Apply for a soggiorno permanente (‘permanent residence’) under existing EU provisions if you have been legally resident for at least five years. It is the best evidence that most of us can have of our long-standing residence in Italy.
Make sure that you've submitted tax returns in Italy. As a resident, (whether in the first five years or afterwards with soggiorno permanente, you are required to submit tax returns and pay tax in Italy even if all your income comes from the UK and/or all your assets are situated in the UK).
Make sure that you either have private health insurance (obligatory for the first five years of residence unless you have an S1 from the UK or are working ), or that you're registered in the Italian health system (eg. you already have a soggiorno permanente under existing EU provisions).

2. Create, and keep up to date, a dossier as if you're applying for residenza or soggiorno permanente or cittadinanza italiana. In particular:

Collate copies of as many of your tax returns as you can get – tax returns (Modello Unico), the F24’s (proof of payment) and proof of receipt. The more recent ones you can download and print out from within your account at Fisconline, the Agenzia dell’ Entrate website for tax returns, payments etc. You may need them to prove the length of your legal residence, and they will be needed in any event if you are applying for citizenship.
Put together a file of utility bills for at least ten years if you can. This will prove your continued residence.
If your name is not on the bills (bollette di gas, acqua, elettricità, etc) for your household, or on any utility bills, get it added now.

For women in particular: make sure that the name on bills, bank statements, pension statements, payslips etc matches the name on your passport if possible.
Put together a file of bank statements, wage slips and/or pension statements for the last five years if you've lived here that long. Longer is even better – ten years is best. You may need these to prove the stability and sufficiency of your resources.

3. Think about, or rethink about, applying for Italian citizenship

For many people, their British identity and nationality is important to them and the idea of taking out Italian citizenship has been regarded as ‘only as a last resort’. For some of us a no deal Brexit might be that ‘last resort’.

Italian citizenship won't guarantee all the rights you currently hold as an EU citizen (mutual recognition of professional qualifications, for example) but it will guarantee you the right to reside and to work – and as an EU citizen you'd continue to benefit from full free movement rights.

Quiz: How well do you know Brexit?

It you are thinking of applying for Italian citizenship, try to ensure your application is lodged before March 29th, 2019. The Italian authorities are now given 4 years to process applications and there is no guarantee that applications will in fact be processed in that time. But if you’ve already made the application, there is more chance than if you wait till after March 29th when the rules probably will change requiring British nationals to have completed ten years legal residence before making an application.
More importantly, the Decreto Sicurezza of October 2018 made a language test compulsory. From December 5th, 2018, all applications for citizenship must include a certificate of competence in Italian to level B1 with the application itself. If it is not included, the application will automatically be rejected (probably with no notice given to the applicant to rectify the situation first).
Be aware that taking Italian citizenship may affect the taxation of certain pensions and you should take good accountancy/financial advice before applying.

4. Put some serious work into your Italian language

Whether there is a deal or not, we may be required to re-apply for residenza and/or soggiorno permanente.

We do not know whether a minimum level of Italian language ability will be required for residence (to date it has not been – although it is for extra-comunitari), but it is a good opportunity to work on the language skills – eg local Italian classes are offered by some ‘comune’ free of charge, or take a one-month or three-month course at one of the Università per Stranieri in Perugia or Siena (good fun!).
The Decreto Sicurezza of October 2018 brought in a compulsory language test – competence in Italian language to level B1 – for all citizenship applications. From December 5th, 2018, it has been necessary to include a copy of your language certificate in your citizenship application.

5. Check your passport

Make sure your passport will be valid for several months after March 29th, 2019. If not, consider renewing it early.

Photo: DepositPhotos

6. Make sure that you're in Italy on 29 and 30 March 2019

This is probably not the best time to make a family visit to the UK! Transport could be chaotic, with no agreements on air or other travel between the UK and EU.

If you can't be in Italy, try to be somewhere in the Schengen zone.

Be aware that at least initially, if not longer, there may be difficulties crossing any Schengen or other border with a British passport! There is a possibility that you could be refused entry back into Italy unless you have a visa.

7. Top up your medication

If you currently rely on an S1 form for access to the Italian health service and/or you need regular medication, think about making sure you have a good supply of it on March 29th. If the worst happens and the reciprocal health care system stops on that date it might take several weeks to get an alternative system up and running and there may be short-term chaos.

Making sure that you have the permitted 3 months of long-term medication would mean that you'd avoid having to pay full whack for your meds or being without a family doctor while the situation was resolved.

8. Check your driving licence

If you're still using a UK driving licence, apply for an Italian licence now.

It's relatively straightforward and for most people, it can be exchanged (with some fees and a medical) without having to take a full Italian driving test (theory and practical). It's possible that UK licences will not be valid in the EU in the case of a no deal Brexit.

Consider applying for an International Driving Permit if you regularly drive in the UK.

9. Think about moving money

If you have bank accounts, savings or investments in the UK, consider moving them to Italy or some other EU jurisdiction now. Sterling may drop suddenly in the case of a no deal exit; there may also be temporary problems moving money in and out of the EU.

10. Try to have a financial backstop

If at all possible, try and make sure you have access to enough cash to see you through two or three months, especially if your income comes from the UK and is transferred monthly.

11. Consider your personal pension

If you have a personal pension (not state or public service/occupational pension) and have not yet retired, think seriously about cashing it in if you're old enough, or moving it. There may be issues with passporting rights after Brexit that could cause problems with insurers making payments to those living outside the UK.

Photo: AFP

12. Look at ways you could maximise your income and minimise your expenses

This applies particularly if the bulk of your income is in sterling, which may take a serious hit after a no deal exit.

Can you survive if sterling hits parity? Goes below parity? What's your bottom line? What can you do to turn your income into euro income?
Create a personal financial contingency plan. Look at ways you can cut your spending temporarily, and at ways you could create additional income.
Get any potentially expensive dental or optical work done now.

13. If you have a business that relies on attracting people from the UK …

Start thinking about changing your client demographic. Whatever the deal, British people may not want to travel to the EU next year and you'll need to find new clients if you're to survive financially.
Make sure you have a website in Italian, if you haven't already, and that you begin to advertise NOW to attract Italian and EU27 customers. But…
If there is a no-deal Brexit, it is uncertain as to whether you will be able to continue to run a business at all.
Even if there is a deal, you may not be able to provide services to customers in other Member States: that is still to be decided.

14. Marry an Italian citizen

Only joking. (Sort of.) But think seriously about it, particularly if you have children.

(Note from The Local: Bear in mind that marriage does not automatically give you the right to Italian citizenship – the lengthy wait for your citizenship application to be processed will simply be shortened slightly.)

15. Professional qualifications

If you can apply to get your professional qualifications recognised locally – probably ask your local Italian professional body equivalent as to where and how. After Brexit, qualifications that have not already been recognised, may not be valid.

16. Above all … don't panic

This is about hoping (and working) for the best, while preparing for the worst.

Whatever happens, you won't be alone.

This list is republished courtesy of British in Italy. Check their website and join their Facebook group for more Brexit advice.

Are you a Brit living in Italy? How is Brexit affecting you? What preparations are you making? Tell us your story: email [email protected].

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INTERVIEW: 'A lot of people think Brexit is done, but it's not for Brits in Europe'

In the early days of 2021, after the United Kingdom had left the EU and completed the final stage of Brexit, many British citizens returned to their home countries in Europe only to face a grilling at the border.

Though the Withdrawal Agreement (WA) technically guaranteed their right to live and work in the countries they’d settled in before Brexit, there was widespread confusion about these fundamental rights and many were treated like new arrivals.

Over time, the chaos at the airports subsided as border officials and airlines were given clearer guidance on the treatment of Brits. But three years later, a number of Brits who live on the continent still face problems when it comes to proving their post-Brexit rights.

This was the reason campaign group British in Europe decided to set up their new EU-funded ICE project. Starting this year in March, it aims to build valuable connections between UK citizens abroad and mentor the next generation of civil rights advocates around the continent. The acronym stands for ‘Inform, Empower, Connect’ and the project’s organisers describe it as “the first project of its kind”.

“It’s a completely innovative project – especially the fact that it’s across so many countries,” Jane Golding, chair of British in Europe and one of the project’s founders, told The Local.

Bringing together groups from 11 EU member states, the project aims to train up volunteers to understand both the Withdrawal Agreement and EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, as well as learning skills like advocacy and communication, using real-life civil rights cases that are referred to British in Europe.

“The ultimate goal is to amplify the messages across the wider group,” said Golding. “You start with the volunteers, they go back to their groups, then the people that we train, they go back and train people. Then they pass on that knowledge to the wider groups, on their Facebook accounts and through social media, and hopefully it all snowballs, not just in their countries but across the EU.”

‘Far-reaching repercussions’

So many years after Brexit, it’s hard to believe that there’s still a need for a project like ICE that empowers Brits to protect their rights. Indeed, the future of groups like British in Europe and regional groups like British in Germany and Spain-based group EuroCitizens felt uncertain just a year or two ago.

But Golding says there are still serious issues cropping up for Brits in several countries around Europe – they just have a different quality to the problems that arose at the start.

“In some ways it’s needed even more because as we predicted right at the beginning, at the first stage of implementation, you’ve got the more routine cases,” she explained.

“What we’re seeing now is not as many cases, but when the cases come up, they’re complex. They can have such far-reaching repercussions on people’s lives. And of course, memories start to fade. A lot of people think Brexit is already done, but it’s not.”

Volunteers in British in Europe ICE project

The volunteers of the British in Europe ICE project pose for a photo at the kick-off meeting in Brussels on May 21st, 2024. Photo courtesy of British In Europe

Though the rights set out in the Withdrawal Agreement apply across the continent, different countries have taken different approaches to implementing them.

That means that while in Germany, for example, UK citizens simply had to declare that they lived in the country, people in neighbouring Denmark had to apply for their rights.

This led to a notorious situation in Denmark in which as many as 2,000 Brits were threatened with deportation after not applying in time or completing the right application process. According to Golding, this had a lot to do with the fact that people who arrived in 2020 weren’t given the same information as other UK migrants who arrived before.

In Sweden, meanwhile, the situation is still difficult for many Brits who lived there prior to Brexit.

“There have been issues with an anomalously high numbers of refusals compared to other countries, and they seem to be taking a very strict approach on late applications,” Golding explained.

Portugal has been another difficult case. Although the country opted for a declaratory system where Brits could simply exchange old residence documents for a new ID card after Brexit, reports suggest that the authorities have taken years to issue these cards, leaving many of the some 34,000 Brits in the country in limbo.

“While people are still waiting to have their status confirmed and have their card in their hand, it’s difficult to access a whole range of services, like health services, or applying for jobs or dealing with the authorities, or even going to the bank,” Golding said. “All of these problems just affect people’s lives.”

A French border guard checks a passport at the border

A French border guard checks a passport at the border. Photo by DENIS CHARLET / AFP

There are also concerns about the EU’s new exit and entry system (EES), due to come into force in October, which is based on biometric documentation.

“We still do not have clear data on how many people in declaratory countries like Germany, where it wasn’t compulsory to apply for the card, don’t actually have a card,” Golding said. “How is that going to play out if it’s a document-based digitalised system?”

A lack of support

In the immediate aftermath of Brexit, funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) was still available to support NGOs in Europe helping Brits with their migration and civil rights issues. But that temporary funding soon expired, leaving groups like British in Europe largely on their own.

“The whole point is people’s lives change at very different paces,” Golding said. “And now this project is really going to start to pick up some of those cases and report on those issues, which is really crucial and exciting for the precedent that it sets, and it’s very clearly necessary still, because people don’t just sort their lives in the 18 months that the FCDO chose to supply that funding.”

This feeling of being left alone and increasingly isolated from the UK is one that many Brits in Europe have felt in the aftermath of Brexit. But the upcoming UK election on July 4th could be a game-changer.

This time, following a change in the law, Brits who have lived abroad for more than 15 years will be able to vote for the first time.

Polling station in the UK

A polling station in the UK. Photo by Elliott Stallion on Unsplash

When it comes to the election, the message from British in Europe is clear: “Make your voice count now, make your vote count, make sure you use it,” Golding said.

With the June 18th registration deadline fast approaching, BiE is advising UK citizens abroad to apply for a proxy vote as soon as possible, rather than relying on a postal vote from abroad. Since the 15-year rule was abolished on January 16th, more than 100,000 British citizens have registered to vote, according to official statistics. It is unclear how many were registered before the change in the law.

With an estimated 4.7 million Brits currently living abroad – 1.3 million of whom are in the EU – this could have a significant impact on the electoral landscape, Golding says. But most significantly, the change is creating a feeling of connection and belonging that wasn’t there before.

Nurturing this sense of belonging is one of the main goals of ICE.

With these bridges being built, British in Europe hopes to create a network of support that spans across borders.

“Now we’ve met. We’re going to meet,” said Golding. “We know we’re going to meet again in Berlin in October and then we’ll meet again in the new year in 2025 as well. It means a huge amount because even British in Europe, our steering team, we’ve only met physically three times.”

This opens up the possibility of people sharing their knowledge from country to country, Golding explained.

“There is crossover and the reassurance of having that EU wide view and knowing that you’re not alone and knowing that in this country, we managed to get this solution,” she said. “And then you can go back and say to the authorities in your country, well, in that country they did that – all of that helps. It’s really good.”

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