Spain In Favour Of Reciprocal Agreement With The UK Post Brexit
Spain News
Published: 22 March 2017 12:10 CET
Updated: 20 December 2019 13:10 CET
On the 29th of March, Theresa May will trigger article 50 and commence formal negotiations with the other EU leaders in an attempt to create new trade agreements and safeguard the rights of around 1 Million Brits currently living within the EU.
For expats now living in Spain of which there are some 300,000, these are uncertain times with the futures of many Brits uncertain. Important issues such as healthcare rights, freedom of movement and pensions are some of the most important factors expats need clarity on.
In recent days, there has been much positive news, especially coming from Spanish politicians who have expressed their views that UK expatriates should indeed retain their existing rights and benefits as provided under the current EU membership after Brexit.
Spanish secretary for the EU and chairman of the working group on Brexit, Jorge Toledo has suggested that the Spanish government were ready to support an agreement with the UK in principle, which would offer Britons living in Spain the reassurance that they would continue to enjoy their current EU privileges.
When speaking to The Times newspaper recently, Toledo said: "We are broadly in favour of retaining a reciprocal agreement on questions like healthcare and freedom of movement."
"As regards the rights of EU citizens in the UK and the rights of UK citizens in the EU, Spain is in favour of these rights in the future but the modalities and conditions will and should be a matter of negotiation."
The statement was welcomed by Sue Wilson a campaigner for Bremain in Spain who said: "I am delighted to hear this positive news from Spain. It is good to know that on this side of the negotiating table at least our fears and concerns are being taken seriously and there is a genuine desire to see us protected."
"We would love to believe that the British government has our best interests at heart too. However, they have done nothing to demonstrate this despite continuing to say that they are acting in our best interests."
"If that were true they would have unilaterally safeguarded the rights of EU citizens in the UK by now, as their exiting the EU select committee recommended" she added.
These statements will be warmly received and will help to reassure Britons living in Spain that their current rights will be maintained even after Brexit.
Theresa May is expected to tour Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland this week before triggering article 50 Brexit negotiations on the 29th of March.
Further information on Bremain in Spain can be found via their website at http://www.bremaininspain.com or via their Twitter page at https://twitter.com/BremaininSpain
