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Ambassador stresses the need to register as resident in new message to Brits in Spain

The video message was sent out on Wednesday.
The video message was sent out on Wednesday. / SUR

  • 100 days before the end of the Brexit Transition Period, Hugh Elliott reassured UK nationals that their rights are already protected under the Withdrawal Agreement, as long as they can prove they were living in Spain before the end of 2020

  • SUR in ENglish

With 100 days until the end of the Transition Period on 31 December, the British ambasador in Madrid, Hugh Elliott, has recorded a video message for UK Nationals living in Spain.

Speaking about the continuing negotiations on the future relationship between the UK and the EU, the ambassador said: “I want to reassure you that your rights as UK nationals living in Spain are already protected under the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and the EU. And that both the UK and Spanish Governments are fully committed to implementing the citizens’ rights provisions in the Agreement.”

Appointment problems

In his message the ambassador reminds UK nationals of the need to register as a resident as soon as possible, but acknowledges that there are difficulties with getting appointments in some places.

UK nationals will still be protected by the Agreement, as long as they can prove they were legally living in Spain before the end of 2020. The embassy has advised residents to make sure they have documentation (eg. padrón certificate, rental agreement, utility bills) to demonstrate they were living here before the end of the year.

The ambassador also pointed out that if anyone is having difficulties completing their residency application, the UK Government has provided funding to three organisations - Age in Spain, Babelia and IOM - to answer questions and provide practical support. Details of the help they can provide and how to contact them can be found at visit gov.uk/livinginspain.

Live Q&As on Facebook

The embassy and consulates around Spain are also running a series of Facebook Live Q&As on different topics related to living in Spain and the actions UK Nationals may need to take.

All sessions take place on www.facebook.com/britsinspain and are available to watch afterwards. The current schedule is as follows, although the embassy poitns out that this is subject to change. Further details will be posted on the Facebook page:

6 October: 18:00 Pensions, benefits, working and driving

13 October: 13:00 Healthcare

27 October: 13:00 Travel

10 November: 18:00 Education – studying and teaching

24 November: 18:00 Swallows

1 December: 18:00 Residency

8 December: 18:00 General Q&A

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