Boris Johnson 'needs to step up for British expats' says expert
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As Spanish authorities told a British expat to leave within 72 hours after she struggled to show proof of residency, an angry Express.co.uk reader claimed the nation was “at the mercy” of the European Union, and that people should “take their money” and go elsewhere.
Diego Echavarria, an expert in Spanish residency law and the founding partner of Fairway Lawyers on the Costa del Sol, told Express.co.uk about the case of a client who could not “justify” she was a citizen in Spain.
He said: “There’s still a lot of confusion among English people about who can stay here and the maximum length of time they can stay.
“A lot of the retirees in this region are in a grey area.”
Spain’s visa requirements for British expats have become more restrictive in 2022 – including for retirees, who need to show an increased amount of savings in their bank accounts in order to stay.
The standard financial requirement to apply for Spain’s non-lucrative residency permit — often referred to as a retirement visa as it is pensioners’ best shot to settle down — is now just over £23,000, about £500 more than last year.
The permit, though allowing them to live in the Mediterranean nation, comes with a range of obstacles, such as the inability to work, a double taxation rule on investments, or the obligation to take out comprehensive private healthcare.
One frustrated reader calling themself Fedupwithliberalism said: “Take your money and leave as there are many countries outside of the EU that are very welcoming.
“Spain is at the mercy of Brussels.
“It’s simple, they either put up or ship out!”
Their thoughts were echoed by those of another reader, with username HENGIST. They asked: “Why not consider Croatia?
“The country is still relatively cheap (unlike Spain), has a more interesting Central European culture, has a nice climate, and — TAKE NOTE — is not a Schengen Country even though it is in the EU so no 90-day rule.
“Spain is going to be the biggest loser from this narrow and rather mean-minded approach to Brits who ‘over-winter’ (or stay even longer) in the country.
“The new rules will leave a massive hole in the ‘residential tourism’ market that is unlikely to be filled by EU citizens.”
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A UK pensioner wanting to apply for a retirement visa, which lasts one year, must prove they have access to £23,276 – around £500 more than last year.
Once they obtain it, they have to apply for a TIE residency card, too, and with both documents, they can travel freely through the Schengen Area without the 90-day constraints UK residents are subjected to.
Mr Echevarria said he has seen several British citizens packing up and leaving Spain “because they just thought it was getting too complicated”.
He added: “A lot of the elderly people that used to come here to retire are now thinking they aren’t really benefiting.”
The game has changed for Britons wanting to live at what has long been a top spot for UK nationals – and, according to a reader under the username PGD, “the EU is deliberately making life uncomfortable for the Brits”.
They said: “Just wait until summer when no tourists turn up, and the expats take their sterling back home, and the charities, all run by the British expats without exception start to disintegrate.”
But reader Stefanie Louise, recalling a reality conveyed by Brexit, claimed: “Why do some Brits think these rules are being introduced just for them?
“These rules apply to all non-EU countries.”
Additional reporting by Esther Marshall
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