We understand that recent media reports about the impact of Brexit on the rights of UK nationals living in Spain may have caused concern to UK citizens living in Europe.
We want to make clear the actions that UK nationals in Spain need to take to continue living and working in Spain as they do now, as well as reassuring those who need to access healthcare and pensions.
We are working with our embassies, including in Spain, to help UK nationals get ready for Brexit. This week we announced an extra £3 million fund for charities so they can assist you with your residency applications.
Your healthcare
The Spanish Government has taken steps to ensure that resident UK nationals and UK tourists visiting Spain will be able to access healthcare after Brexit until at least 31 December 2020. This is the case whether we leave the EU with or without a deal.
The UK is working with other EU and EFTA countries, including Spain, by proposing to keep existing healthcare arrangements in place until at least December 2020.This means that the same principle applies to Spanish nationals living in or visiting the UK, whose access to healthcare will also remain unchanged.
Your pension
The UK government will continue to pay your state pension as it does now, and you do not need to take any action to keep receiving your pension.
Actions you need to take now:
- register as a resident in Spain
- register for healthcare as a resident in Spain
- exchange your UK driving licence for a Spanish one
- check your passport is valid for travel
You can also sign up for email alerts if you live in Spain.
If you live in another EU or EFTA country, check the Living in Guide for your country to see the actions you need to take on residency, registering for healthcare, driving licences and passports.