Thoughts about Brexit? Either way, it looks as if it’s coming. Bettersafe would like to help all the British people who are living abroad. In 2017 there were 784,900 UK citizens, excluding Ireland. (Source: ONS, UK Home Office). Seven out of ten are living in Spain, France and Germany.

What Will Happen To All Those People Living In These Three Countries?

First things first, make sure you are up to date with Brexit! You can do it by signing up for email alerts and follow the British Embassy in the country you are based.

British Citizens Living In Spain:

If you are in this group, you should:

• Register as a resident in Spain if you want to stay in Spain for more than 3 months.

You will get a green A4 certificate or credit-card sized piece of paper from Extranjeria or the police.

• Register for healthcare as a resident in that country
• Check your passport is valid for travel
• Exchange your UK driving license for a Spanish one.

The British Embassy in Spain regularly holds events around different Spanish cities.

In some parts of Spain, UK nationals are currently unable to register as a resident as appointments are not available. In this case, you don’t need to have a residency certificate. On the Moncloa website you can prove you were living in Spain before Brexit, and to keep checking in on the online platform for appointments.  

In any scenario after Brexit, you will need to change your registration document for a new resident card.

If you need any more information, you can read the Spanish government’s guidance for UK nationals in Spain.

British Citizens Living In France:

If you are in this group, you should:

• Register as a resident in France. Check the entry requirements for France.  Before Brexit, you can still apply for the European carte de séjour at your local prefecture under the current system, although it is not compulsory.
• Register for healthcare as a resident in France
• Check your passport is valid for travel

After Brexit whether you have obtained a European carte de séjour or not, all UK national residents in France will need to obtain a new type of residence permit relevant to their new situation to claim their rights. This includes UK nationals waiting for French nationality and UK nationals married to or PACsed to French nationals.

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, you have until June 2021 to apply for the new residency card.

If the UK leaves the EU with no deal, UK nationals living in France on the day the UK leaves the EU will be given a grace period of one year to obtain their residence card. It will be 6 months from the leaving date to apply for the card. Applications for a residency card will cost €119 if there’s no deal.

The card you are issued if there’s no deal will depend on your personal situation. The categories, which have been specified, are as follows:

• UK nationals who have been living in France for five years or more.
• UK nationals who have been living in France for less than five years and fall under one of the below categories:
  • Salaried worker with a Contrat à Durée Indéterminée (CDI)
  • Salaried worker with a Contrat à Durée Déterminée (CDD).
  • Self-employed.
  • During the last year have either graduated in France or worked for at least three months and are now looking for work or creating a business.
  • Students.
  • Family members of UK nationals who qualify for one of the above categories.
  • UK nationals who have been living in France for less than five years but do not fulfil any of the above categories.

The French Ministry of Interior has detailed this information in an ordonnance and accompanying decree.

If you need any more information, you can read the French government’s guidance for UK nationals in France.

British Citizens Living In Germany:

If you are in this group, you should:

• Register as a resident in Germany, including registering at your local registration office and applying for a new residence permit.
• Check your passport is valid for travel
• Get your professional qualifications recognised

If you have planned to stay in Germany for more than 3 months, you have to register at your local registration office within 14 days of your arrival. The office is known as the Einwohnermeldeamt, Kreisverwaltungsreferat (KVR), Bürgerbüro or Bürgeramt.

After Brexit, UK nationals living in Germany have to apply from their local Foreigners Authority (Ausländerbehörde) and, as we have mentioned before, you will need a valid passport when applying for a residence permit.

If there is a no-deal Brexit, the German government plans a 3-months transition period which can be extended to 9 months. During this period, you must apply for a new residence permit.

Can I Buy A Bettersafe Product If I Live Outside The UK?

You can purchase a Bettersafe product as long as you have a permanent residency within the UK, we understand that customers may have some form of the holiday home. In another country where hiring cars is a regular form of transport.

At Bettersafe, you are valid to purchase a policy as long as you have a UK address.