Reacting to the EU/UK deal, George Bull, senior tax partner at RSM, said expats “may not be so happy” with the dawn deal signed by prime minister Theresa May on Friday.
“The UK Government will have to provide considerably more detail to establish the precise impact on this group, but at the present time it does appear that they will have to review their plans,” he said.
Grubby bargain
Jane Golding, who chairs expat group British in Europe, went further, branding the agreement “a grubby bargain that will have a severe impact on ordinary people’s ability to live their lives as we do now”.
Sue Wilson, chair of the affiliated Bremain in Spain group, said expats had not anticipated the deal, “not when there are so many unresolved citizens’ rights issues, which will be buried under discussions of trade and transition”.
“If the outstanding issues could not be resolved when we were supposedly one of only three priorities, what chance is there when we are one of many more?”
“Not only is the deal incomplete, it’s not even guaranteed or protected.”
Grandfathered
Jason Porter, business development director at Blevins Franks, was more enthusiastic. He said the deal should “cement the rights of UK citizens resident in other EU countries”.
“For those arriving after the cut off and those travelling in and out of the EU there is not a lot certainty,” he conceded.
“However, if you are already in country you are effectively grandfathered.”
According to Blevins Franks, the deal confirms freedom of movement will remain in place until the “specified date”, which is the time of the UK’s withdrawal. The EU Commission, in response to the deal, has confirmed this will be the end of the transitional period, which is likely add at least another two years to the 29 March 2019 deadline.
Thereafter, those already with permanent residence will be issued with a new permanent residence document, free of charge.
UK nationals already residing in one of the 27 EU member states retain the right to reside under Articles 6 and 7 of Directive 2004/38/EC.
They will be entitled to acquire the right of permanent residence under the Withdrawal Agreement, and the rules for doing so will be those already set out in Articles 16 – 18 of Directive 2004/38/EC (after five years of residence).
The right of residence and right of permanent residence extends to other family members, including future partners and unborn children.
