HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

In a recent comprehensive study undertaken by Spain's Immigration Observatory, light has been shed on the number of British nationals who have yet to complete the exchange of their residency documents post-Brexit. The study covers a substantial time frame from July 2020 to June 2023, offering a fresh perspective on this evolving situation.

Within this timeframe, a total of 159,604 UK citizens have successfully transitioned from their former residency documents to the TIE, a distinctive card that solidifies their legal status in line with the terms of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. However, the truly eye-opening revelation lies in the fact that more than half of the entire British expatriate population in Spain, specifically 211,274 individuals, have yet to begin this vital document exchange.

According to the Immigration Observatory's meticulous data, as of December 31st, 2022, the British expatriate community in Spain numbered 412,040. This marks a modest increase of 4,412 individuals from the previous year, signifying a 1 percent growth. It's worth noting that this figure encompasses newly arrived UK nationals who, devoid of the benefits granted by the Withdrawal Agreement, must navigate the residency application process like any other non-EU candidate.

Although UK citizens who were legally residing in Spain before the Brexit deadline retain the option to retain their old EU green residency certificate (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión), both the UK and Spanish authorities have consistently recommended exchanging it for the non-EU foreigner identity card, commonly known as the TIE, ‘Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero’. The TIE explicitly bears the inscription "Acuerdo Retirada UE" (EU Withdrawal Agreement) and grants UK nationals who can prove they were in Spain before Brexit the same residency rights they had prior to the UK's exit from the EU.

Remarkably, a mere 1 percent of UK nationals holding an EU certificado de registro who have applied for a TIE have encountered processing delays or rejections, affecting just 828 individuals. In contrast, among UK nationals in Spain who lacked a green certificate but applied for a Withdrawal Agreement TIE, 15 percent experienced application archiving or denial, impacting 8,924 applicants. Nevertheless, an encouraging 85 percent of these applicants, amounting to 49,184 individuals, successfully secured their WA TIE. The successful applicants in this category had to provide evidence to substantiate their pre-Brexit residency, including payroll records, social security registrations, rental agreements, and town hall padrón registrations.

Interestingly, the data illuminates a distinctive pattern of declining document exchanges among British residents in Spain. Following an initial surge in exchanges during the latter half of 2020, coinciding with the introduction of the WA TIE for UK nationals, the number of residents surrendering their old residency certificates for TIE cards has markedly dwindled. This trend has persisted since 2022, with exchange requests displaying a consistent plateau.

Beyond the statistics, the report offers demographic insights into the British expatriate community in Spain. Of the 218,540 UK nationals who acquired a TIE between July 2020 and June 2023, individuals aged 65 and over constituted 34 percent, while those aged 50 to 64 made up 30 percent of the total. The average age of UK nationals residing in Spain is 55 years, with children accounting for only 7 percent of the population.

Regarding gender distribution, 51 percent of TIE holders are men (110,930), while 49 percent are women (107,610). In the 65 and over age group, 52 percent of TIE holders are men, while the 18-34 age group skews slightly toward women, with 52 percent of British TIE holders being female.

Interestingly the study shows that more than half (51 percent) of British expats who have exchanged their residency documents are concentrated in just three Spanish provinces: Alicante (55,028 people, constituting 25 percent of the total), Málaga (39,522 people, comprising 18 percent), and the Balearic Islands (16,577 people, representing 8 percent).

Although technically the exchange of residency documents remains optional, both the UK and Spanish governments strongly emphasise the importance of UK nationals in Spain transitioning from the old green EU residency certificate to the TIE as promptly as possible.

This recommendation is underpinned not only by the TIE's role in safeguarding the rights of UK nationals under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement but also by its capacity to streamline various bureaucratic processes in Spain. Additionally, it helps mitigate potential travel-related challenges when journeying to and from Spain. Notably, the TIE includes a photograph, a feature absent from the prior green EU certificate, and boasts greater durability, albeit requiring periodic renewal, unlike the green certificate, which lacks an expiry date.

Sources

https://www.thelocal.es/20230919/more-than-200000-brits-in-spain-havent-exchanged-residency-documents