Brexit means some British expats must leave Spain but a few hope to remain ‘under the radar’

By John Lockett

Some British expats are “deliberately” ignoring strict rules to leave Spain despite new laws meaning those who decide to live “under the radar” could face deportation or fines.

British expats on the Costa del Sol may be forced to go home.

They have been accused of “burying their heads in the sand” even though the authorities have made it clear the rules on residency will change from this week in the wake of Brexit.

The worrying news comes amid unconfirmed reports cops on the Costa el Sol, known as the Costas, are planning to send home up to 500 British citizens in the first week after the deadline of March 31.

However, the UK government says it has spoken to its counterparts in Spain who insist those claims are baseless and say those who are turned down for residency will still have the right of appeal while remaining in Spain.

And the Foreign Office says the rights of UK nationals to continue living, working and studying in Spain are protected by law.

Those most at risk are those who have dodged paying taxes during their new life in the sun which are said to be a “small fraction” of the 300,000 Brits living on the Costas.

However, those who campaign for Brits in Spain say some are “deliberately” planning to ignore the rules in the hope they can slip through the net.

Sue Wilson, chair of Bremain in Spain, told the Local: “We have been advising visiting Brits of the fast-approaching deadline and reiterating advice given by the British Embassy.

“The clock is ticking, yet there are still Brits deliberately planning to overstay their welcome.

“They are burying their heads in the sand and assuming we’ll be treated differently from other third country nationals, simply because we are British.

“I fear many that have ignored the warnings of the consequences of exceeding a 90-day stay are in for a rude awakening.”

Many Brits have previously breached the EU’s 90-day per every 180 limit placed on tourist visas and have been living unregistered under the radar.

But under the Withdrawal Agreement, anyone unregistered could be fined or even banned from returning.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “The rights of UK nationals to continue living, working and studying in Spain are protected by law.

“Anyone legally resident in Spain before 1 January 2021 can stay but should register their residence and obtain the new TIE residency card to prove their rights.

“British tourists and business travellers are able to visit Spain and other EU countries for up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period without a visa.

“We recommend UK nationals check the Living in Spain Guide on GOV.UK for any actions they may need to take and for up to date official information.”

Spain has been rolling out a new system to register permanent foreign residents with biometric cards called TIE but due to a deluge in requests the process is currently log-jammed.

Scores of worried Brits have now turned to Facebook for help and advice as they fear they face an uncertain future while they wait for their cards to be processed.

Ann Perkins wrote: “What happens if you are still waiting for the outcome of your TIE application.

“We have submitted our licence application but Murcia have a massive backlog for TIE.”

Julie Van P added last night: “My son’s TIE application was sent on 9 Dec to Almeria and shows as going onto their system on 16 Dec.

“No change at all from ‘in progress’ since then. A gestor (agent) we used for something else told us, 12 days ago, that, at that point, the office were dealing with applications received on around 1 Dec.

“Has anyone else using Almeria city experienced similar delays? It’s a constant cause of worry.”

However, some Brits don’t have to worry about their TIE cards as they have already been told their time is up.

John Price and Elaine Wilson may now have to abandon their home in the sun after their post-Brexit residency application was rejected.

The couple were told their claim failed because they had not bought private medical insurance before the end of last year – when the transition phase of Brexit ended.

Ms Wilson, 53, a former paramedic, was waiting for the all-clear on breast cancer before buying insurance and the couple had been advised that they had until March 31.

“We’re on tenterhooks,” Mr Price, 51, told the Times.

“We don’t know if we face fines, a bad stamp in our passports and being banned from entering the Schengen area.

“A rock and a hard place springs to mind.”

April 1 marks the 90-day maximum that UK citizens are allowed to stay in any EU state within a six-month period without residence papers or a visa.

In Spain thousands of Brits have rushed to legalise their status but confusion and misinformation about the rules has left many fearing that they will be ejected from a place they consider home.

Moira Carmenate, of the Expat Centre in Costa Blanca South, said the system has baffled many vulnerable Brits.

She said: “A lot of elderly folk living here who don’t have access to social media or trustworthy news sources, have been unaware of the recent and ongoing changes.

“This leaves Brits vulnerable and at the mercy of hearsay, I really feel for them.”

By not being legally registered some have dodged paying Spanish taxes and other contributions but the Brexit vote in 2016 changed all that.

One of those who had – until now – enjoyed his new life in the sun was Anthony Cook.

He said: “The Spanish dream is over for me, it’s time to go back to Cardiff, it’s been a blast but the new regulations have made it impossible to stay.

“I don’t have enough credentials to become a resident, it was so easy before, get your funds in from the UK, do a bit of cash in hand around the likes of Benidorm and bob was your uncle, but that’s all changed now.

“Anyway, it’s time to head home, the freedom of movement has gone, and I don’t want to end up getting deported and fined.”

Mr Cook added: “I know of loads who are going to stay thinking they won’t get caught…but I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder.

“I’m not taking the risk – I will study and watch, see if they get deported.”

Around 300,000 British citizens are registered as permanent residents in Spain.

However, before Brexit, many more had been living full or part-time in the country without officially registering.
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Credit: The Sun