Six burning questions for British expats about Brexit
We all knew that a win for Brexit would create some measure of uncertainty but for those expats who have chosen to take full advantage of the European Union freedom of movement and make their home in Italy, the questions just keep mounting
No-one will be asked to move home or even be made to apply for a visa or residency permit just yet.
While we can’t give you any answers - except wait and see - these are just some of the issues that could have profound consequences when Britain is no longer an EU member-state.
What about healthcare?
Health treatment is currently free for those travellers with a European health insurance card (EHIC) and for UK state pensioners living in the European Economic Area.
As a result British retirees currently enjoy free health care in Italy. That deal will automatically end when Britain pulls out of the EU and separate deals with European nations will have to be struck.
Before joining what was then the EEC, the UK had reciprocal health agreements with many European nations, including Spain, so a new deal is likely on the cards.
What will Brexit do to my pension?
Photo: Tommy Hemmert/Flickr
If British citizens are still permitted to retire in an EU state, they may find their pensions affected, not least because at present, anyone who retires within the European Economic Area, has their state pension increased every year under the “triple-lock” system.
This means that pensions rise by the higher of wage or price inflation, subject to a minimum of 2.5pc. With Brexit the UK will have to negotiate individual reciprocal agreements with EU countries if annual state pension increases for expats were to continue.
“My mum lives here too but kept all her money in the UK,” Ginny Bevan, a wedding planner in the Lake Garda, area told The Local.
“I’ll be OK as I can apply for Italian citizenship but we don’t know how it’s going to affect her.”
Will my driving license still be valid?
Just as in the case of UK passports, driving licences issued in the UK are EU-branded and will have to be phased out as people renew them. But post- Brexit will British driving licences be valid in Italy or will people living here have to apply for Italian ones? What about those expats who have already got themselves an Italian driving licence? Will they be valid if and when you return to post-Brexit Britain?
“My British driving license is due to expire and I don’t whether I should renew with the DVLA or start the Spanish application and if I do will have to reapply if I move back?” asked Samantha, an English teacher living in Oviedo.
Will Brexit bother my four-legged companion?
Remember those days when pets had to suffer six-months of quarantine to bring them into the UK? The EU pet passport scheme put an end to that but for the Brits who take their furry pals back and forth between Italy and the UK each year, Brexit could be a disaster.
What about the study abroad programme?
Photo: Andrey.mindryukov/Flickr
The Erasmus+ scheme is an EU programme open to education, training, youth and sports organizations. It offers opportunities for UK participants to study, work, volunteer, teach and train in Europe. And thousands of British students opt to study in Italy each year, while the UK is among the favoured destinations for Italian students.
Jo Johnson, Minister of State for Universities and Science, released this statement following the referendum result:
"The referendum result does not affect students studying in the EU, beneficiaries of Erasmus+ or those considering applying in 2017. The UK’s future access to the Erasmus+ programme will be determined as a part of wider discussions with the EU.
"More broadly, existing UK students studying in the EU, and those looking to start in the next academic year, will continue to be subject to current arrangements."
But after Brexit, who knows?
What will happen to roaming?
Photo: AFP
Mobile phone users across Europe are looking forward to the complete removal of roaming charges between EU states in June 2017 but the controls were introduced under an EU regulation and are not incorporated into UK law.
So the UK will have to negotiate their own deal with mobile phone operators once Brexit occurs or we will all be looking at a hike in roaming charges on trips back to Blighty.
Don't Panic, Keep Calm and Wait and See
Photo: Leon Neal/AFP
Whatever is on the cards for the next few months and years, just remember that right now nothing has changed.
Comments
See Also
No-one will be asked to move home or even be made to apply for a visa or residency permit just yet.
While we can’t give you any answers - except wait and see - these are just some of the issues that could have profound consequences when Britain is no longer an EU member-state.
What about healthcare?
Health treatment is currently free for those travellers with a European health insurance card (EHIC) and for UK state pensioners living in the European Economic Area.
As a result British retirees currently enjoy free health care in Italy. That deal will automatically end when Britain pulls out of the EU and separate deals with European nations will have to be struck.
Before joining what was then the EEC, the UK had reciprocal health agreements with many European nations, including Spain, so a new deal is likely on the cards.
What will Brexit do to my pension?
Photo: Tommy Hemmert/Flickr
If British citizens are still permitted to retire in an EU state, they may find their pensions affected, not least because at present, anyone who retires within the European Economic Area, has their state pension increased every year under the “triple-lock” system.
This means that pensions rise by the higher of wage or price inflation, subject to a minimum of 2.5pc. With Brexit the UK will have to negotiate individual reciprocal agreements with EU countries if annual state pension increases for expats were to continue.
“My mum lives here too but kept all her money in the UK,” Ginny Bevan, a wedding planner in the Lake Garda, area told The Local.
“I’ll be OK as I can apply for Italian citizenship but we don’t know how it’s going to affect her.”
Will my driving license still be valid?
Just as in the case of UK passports, driving licences issued in the UK are EU-branded and will have to be phased out as people renew them. But post- Brexit will British driving licences be valid in Italy or will people living here have to apply for Italian ones? What about those expats who have already got themselves an Italian driving licence? Will they be valid if and when you return to post-Brexit Britain?
“My British driving license is due to expire and I don’t whether I should renew with the DVLA or start the Spanish application and if I do will have to reapply if I move back?” asked Samantha, an English teacher living in Oviedo.
Will Brexit bother my four-legged companion?
Remember those days when pets had to suffer six-months of quarantine to bring them into the UK? The EU pet passport scheme put an end to that but for the Brits who take their furry pals back and forth between Italy and the UK each year, Brexit could be a disaster.
What about the study abroad programme?
Photo: Andrey.mindryukov/Flickr
The Erasmus+ scheme is an EU programme open to education, training, youth and sports organizations. It offers opportunities for UK participants to study, work, volunteer, teach and train in Europe. And thousands of British students opt to study in Italy each year, while the UK is among the favoured destinations for Italian students.
Jo Johnson, Minister of State for Universities and Science, released this statement following the referendum result:
"The referendum result does not affect students studying in the EU, beneficiaries of Erasmus+ or those considering applying in 2017. The UK’s future access to the Erasmus+ programme will be determined as a part of wider discussions with the EU.
"More broadly, existing UK students studying in the EU, and those looking to start in the next academic year, will continue to be subject to current arrangements."
But after Brexit, who knows?
What will happen to roaming?
Photo: AFP
Mobile phone users across Europe are looking forward to the complete removal of roaming charges between EU states in June 2017 but the controls were introduced under an EU regulation and are not incorporated into UK law.
So the UK will have to negotiate their own deal with mobile phone operators once Brexit occurs or we will all be looking at a hike in roaming charges on trips back to Blighty.
Don't Panic, Keep Calm and Wait and See
Photo: Leon Neal/AFP
Whatever is on the cards for the next few months and years, just remember that right now nothing has changed.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.