Costa Blanca Property Guide: Effects of Brexit on Expats

Until a final solution is agreed upon, individuals without residency prior to the date will remain legal. UK nationals and family members are required to apply for Tarjeta de Indentidad Extrajero (Residency Cards) before December 2020 so that their legal residency status may be confirmed.

Following Brexit, UK nationals become third country nationals, making the above application essential. It must be completed within 21 months of Brexit.

Currently-held British driving licences will last only nine months from the date of Brexit. It is required that the licence is exchanged for a Spanish one within this period.

Following the nine-month mark, third country rules will be enforced and the simple exchange will no longer be possible until the arrangement of a bilateral agreement between the two countries.

Work permit administration to UK nationals will follow the conditions for cross-border works in Spain - provided that there is a reciprocal assessment of Spanish nationals in the UK.

Rights will continue for those professionally qualified/trained in the UK with no need for re-examination, provided it was originally completed prior to the new Royal Decree-Law, or within five years following it.

Workers and pensioners rights are covered by British/Spanish social security, and will remain protected until a determined period.

This only applies until arrangement of an international agreement between the EU and the UK or else between the UK and Spain bilaterally.

The current conditions provided by Spain will remain, as long as the UK guarantees the same conditions within two months of this decree. If so, those already covered will remain so by the NHS, until the arrangement of an alternative agreement. UK nationals and temporary visitors will remain valid for healthcare in Spain, but treatment will remain paid by the UK.