Brexit: What will happen to the citizens of the United Kingdom who live in Spain?

Since last January 31, 2020 the United Kingdom is already outside the European Union. After almost 3 years of negotiations, Brexit has happened and many people have doubts about what will happen and how this event will affect them.

First we must report that there is a transition period, which means that any change will not occur overnight. All British citizens residing in Spain may keep it until December 31, 2020.

Now, the common questions are: What will happen to the citizens of the United Kingdom who live in Spain? And what will happen to those who plan to come?

Citizens residing in Spain (before 01/31/2020)

• If you can prove that you have resided in Spain for more than 5 years, then you can apply for long-term residency automatically.
• If you have less than 5 years residing in Spain, you may apply for a ¨ temporary residence and work permit for a national of the United Kingdom. ¨ It is necessary to prove economic means to apply for this residence.

IMPORTANT: These assumptions may occur even in cases that have not managed their registration in the Register of Community Resident Citizens in Spain. If you did not acquire your EU Certificate before, it will not matter as long as you can prove your residence in Spain by other means. (Work, registration, etc.)

Citizens who come to Spain from 02/01/2020 and before 12/31/2020:

If you want to come to Spain from February 1 (when Brexit has been made effective) and before December 31, 2020 (transition period), then:

• You can keep the right to apply for residence with the previously existing conditions, but you must obtain a new foreigner identity card called ¨ Residence permit and temporary work of United Kingdom national.

For this process, it is necessary that you provide financial resources and medical insurance or prove that you have a job (third-party account / own account).

You will also have the option of requesting different residence authorizations that are offered to non-EU citizens that may be more beneficial to you, such as: Golden visa, non-profit residence, etc.

Residence after 12/31/2020:

This will depend on the agreements between the United Kingdom and the European Union. (Official laws have not yet been established). If something is certain, it is that people may request residence permits that currently exist for non-EU citizens (as we have mentioned above).

We will be updating this information and publishing news as soon as they are official.

If you have more questions or concerns about your legal status due to brexit, do not hesitate to contact us. You can request an appointment by calling us at +34 911 270 920.