The UK should not try to appease Trump on tariffs

The UK should not try to appease Trump on tariffs

Apr 10, 2025 | Bylines, News

The government needs to get off the fence, embrace trade talks with the EU and accept there is no ‘special relationship’ with the US, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines.

Since Donald Trump announced his Liberation Day tariffs, the major players in global trade have been planning their retaliation. Despite Trump having now paused these retaliatory tariffs for 90 days for everyone except China, the unpredictability of his U-turns and volatile decision-making is keeping everyone on edge, and the baseline 10% tariff remains. Whether formerly friend or foe, ally or adversary, countries around the world will be taking the next three months to prepare swift and proportionate responses.

The UK, on the other hand, is clinging to the belief that a ‘special relationship’ with the US still exists, regardless of anything President Trump says or does.

Please, sir, may we have a deal?

When Trump attended a fundraising dinner hosted by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) on Tuesday, he was expected to make a short after dinner speech. Instead, he spoke at length about his policy agenda, the need to protect the Republican majority in the upcoming midterm elections, and, of course, tariffs. (The less said about Hannibal Lecter, the better!).

Despite the overwhelming evidence of worldwide stock market chaos since his original tariff plans were announced, Trump declared, “we’re making a fortune in tariffs”. While it may be true that some Americans are making a fortune, your average US consumer looked set to bear the brunt of the resulting price rises. Even the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, had withdrawn his support for Trump’s tariffs, perhaps due to the value of shares in his own companies having taken a nosedive.

In his NRCC speech, Trump also claimed that countries around the world were willing to “do anything” to get a deal. Foreign leaders, he said, were so desperate to strike a US trade deal that they were “calling us up and kissing my ass”.

Though not Putin, of course, as no tariffs had been imposed on Russia. Draw your own conclusions.

Keeping all options on the table

On the same day Trump was making his speech, Prime Minister Starmer was appearing before the liaison committee and was questioned about negotiations with the US. On digital services, Starmer said he was prepared to consider tax cuts for tech billionaires like Musk and Jeff Bezos, even if that required changes to the online safety bill. Which rather begs the question: if the government is prepared to water down one bill or policy for a deal with our ‘special’ friends across the pond, which others bills or policies might be at risk?

Not the NHS, said the PM. Starmer told the committee he has ruled out selling access to the NHS to American companies, though Trump would likely demand full access in exchange for a deal. Trump is proposing “a major tariff on pharmaceuticals” imminently – a move designed to force more manufacturing giants to relocate to America.

With regards to a trade deal with America, Starmer advised the committee that, “we have to keep our options on the table and do the preparatory work for retaliation if necessary. But I think that trying to negotiate an arrangement which mitigates the tariffs is better”.

Still seemingly determined to avoid any “knee-jerk” reaction, Starmer insisted UK businesses want a “calm and collective response”, and “nobody wants a trade war”.

Keir Starmer faced awkward moments as he was pressed by senior MPs at a wide-ranging Liaison Committee session on subjects including tariffs, benefits and votes for 16 year olds.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic…

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— BremainInSpain (@bremaininspain.com) 8 April 2025 at 23:53

Not-so-special relationship

While Starmer refuses to rule out potentially striking back at US tariffs, he continues to maintain the existence of the ‘special relationship’. What once would have been described as a strong alliance is now a risky association with an unreliable partner – one that relies too much on a shared history and ignores the fact that today’s America is a very different beast from our longstanding ally.

Of course, the importance of cooperation – especially on defence and security – should not be understated. When Starmer met with Trump recently in the White House, he said, “No two countries have done more together to keep people safe,” adding that no two militaries “were more intertwined”. America’s changing policy on the defence of Ukraine could put that theory to the test.

"We don’t need to choose, but we urgently need to prioritise and both the economics and public opinion point in one direction – towards 1.5% GDP growth with Europe."

👉 Our CEO @pimlicat.bsky.social on why we need to prioritise our relationship with the EU over the US.
www.lbc.co.uk/opinion/view…

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— Best for Britain (@bestforbritain.bsky.social) 4 April 2025 at 10:48

Time to take sides

The British government’s apparent urgency in striking a deal with Trump might be commendable, but trade deals – even much smaller ones – generally take years, not weeks or months. Just ask the Tories, who tried and failed to secure a US trade deal on numerous occasions.

Leaving the US aside, and with Trump becoming ever more unreliable and unpredictable, there has never been a better time to strengthen relationships elsewhere, especially on our own doorstep. The fact that Starmer and his government remain so intransigent when it comes to the EU – and Brexit in particular – shows an unwillingness to listen or to be flexible when the situation demands.

There has never been a better time, a more important time, to take sides. Diplomacy apart, the UK cannot keep a foot in both camps in an attempt to appease an authoritarian president. As Naomi Smith, CEO of Best for Britain says, “If you stand in the middle of the road, you’ll get hit by traffic coming from both directions”, and the results won’t be pretty

Real change comes from embracing the EU

As Starmer said himself in the run up to last year’s election, “it’s time for change”. Time for Labour to make a U-turn and embrace the EU – a mere “reset” of UK/EU relations will not be enough. Time to abandon the government’s damaging, incomprehensible red lines and negotiate a deal with partners that share our goals, values and geography. Time to get back to the negotiating table with the grown-ups and leave the tantrums to the toddlers.

Let us apply caution and consideration by all means, but let’s not get left standing all alone with nothing to show for it but our principles. Only a win-win agreement is worth negotiating, and that kind of deal is just not in Trump’s vocabulary.

 

TIME to SWITCH

TIME to SWITCH

Apr 9, 2025 | News

Are you the holder of a green residency document in Spain? Then it’s time to switch to the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) – the best way to demonstrate your post-Brexit rights and to facilitate easier travel.

The majority of British residents have already made the switch. So, get ahead of the rush and make the change now.

While the green document/card continues to prove residency status within the country, it is not recognised outside of Spain. Furthermore, with the new Entry Exit System (EES) due to be implemented October 2025, only a TIE will exempt you from the new border controls and ensure you are allowed entry into Spain.

Confirmation from the Spanish Government

“ATTENTION: WITH THE ENTRY/EXIT SYSTEM COMING INTO OPERATION, BENEFICIARIES OF THE WITHDRAWAL AGREEMENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A TIE (FOREIGN IDENTITY CARD) TO BE EXEMPT FROM THE NEW CONTROLS ESTABLISHED BY THIS SYSTEM.”

“With the upcoming entry into operation of the new computer systems for crossing external EU borders, the Foreigner Identity Card (“TIE art. 50 TEU”) will be the only document allowing beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement to be exempt from having their time spent in the EES counted and from requesting a travel authorisation through ETIAS….

Therefore, the registration certificate ……. will not be sufficient to avoid these controls.”

Entry Exit System

An announcement regarding the implementation of the EES is expected in the coming months. The new system will use facial recognition technology and will require Britons travelling in Europe to provide fingerprints.

However, Britons living in the EU will be exempt from these requirements as long as they can produce a biometric identity card – in the case of Spain, that will be the TIE. The old green residency card will not be sufficient.

For more information on the EES, read the EU’s FAQs here

Risks of failure to switch

Whilst a failure to switch to the TIE won’t affect your residency rights within Spain, there could be serious consequences when travelling outside of the country.

Those risks could include:

  • Being prevented from boarding a plane or ferry, when returning to Spain
  • Being refused entry to Spain
  • Being treated as a tourist and having your days in the country counted
  • Being registered as an “overstayer”, which in turn could result in being questioned, fined, deported or even banned from re-entering the country

Switching to a TIE will also make life easier for you in Spain as more organisations are requiring the production of a TIE, especially when dealing with them online.

Residency appointments

Demand for appointments to facilitate the switching of residency documentation is likely to be high over the coming months for 2 reasons:

  • The forthcoming implementation of EES
  • The conversion of Temporary Residency cards to Permanent Residency cards by 10s of 1000s of Britons who moved to Spain 5 years ago, ahead of Brexit

The authorities have confirmed that additional appointments are being made available, though demand is still very high in Barcelona.

NB – It is not necessary to visit your nearest office but be aware that you can only make appointments in the province in which you reside.

Useful links

Make an appointment here

Find your local offices here

More information can be found here:

So, don’t delay – switch to a TIE now!

Bremainers Ask……. Tom Brake

Bremainers Ask……. Tom Brake

Mar 31, 2025 | Bremainers Ask, News

 Tom is Director of Unlock Democracy – a not-for-profit organisation campaigning for democratic reforms including PR, House of Lords reform, greater transparency and accountability of government and a written constitution. Tom also chairs a coalition of twelve organisations campaigning for proportional representation.

Previously he was a Member of Parliament for over 20 years, a government minister for three years and was Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson in Parliament from 2017 to 2019. 

Michael Soffe : Do you believe the time will ever come when we overseas voters will have our own constituencies?

Yes, but not in this Parliament. To make it happen, firstly we need to make sure all MPs know what overseas constituencies are and why UK citizens overseas would be better served by overseas MPs than the current arrangement. This is the phase we are in. Then we need to get overseas constituencies as a policy into the Labour and Conservative manifestos (it is already Lib Dem policy) for the next General Election. The final phase will be to pass legislation in the next Parliament. This timetable is feasible but exacting. 

Ruth Woodhouse :  Do you believe that the outrageous behaviour of Donald Trump and the increasing unreliability of the US could speed up the process towards a strengthened UK-EU relationship?

Yes, I am confident that it will have this effect. 

The UK and the EU’s pro-Ukraine stance is driving this process and is already having this effect on UK-EU military relations. The UK’s pre-eminence as an arms manufacturer should put the UK in a strong position as Europe seeks to develop more effective joint procurement to re-equip its armies. This will require deeper cooperation between the UK and the EU.

Trump’s attacks on the international rules-based order are also driving the UK and the EU closer together. As an example of this, the US opposed a European-drafted resolution condemning Moscow’s actions and supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity in the UN General Assembly. The UK and France then abstained on a US drafted resolution at the UN Security Council which called for an end to the conflict but contained no criticism of Russia.

However, were Trump to launch a trade war against the EU, but not the UK, this could trigger a cooling of UK-EU relations, particularly if the UK appeared to side with Trump or remained silent on the issue.  

Mike Phillips: With Trump’s recent betrayal of security guarantees for Ukraine, how best can Lib Dems encourage Starmer to give greater priority to strengthening links with Europe?

Trump’s actions are already making it clear to Sir Keir Starmer that the UK needs to strengthen its links, at all levels, with the EU.

To encourage Sir Keir Starmer, the Lib Dems should express vocal support for any UK/EU warming of relations, press him to go further than he would like and continue to speak out loudly (in a way it is difficult for the UK Government to do) against the chaos Trump is creating around him. 

Anon :  Some pro-Europeans are holding out for full EU membership while others are fighting for incremental changes to the Brexit deal. Which approach is likely to be more effective? 

The most effective approach in my view would be to gradually rebuild relations with the EU, start to make incremental changes that improve the Brexit deal, increase the UK’s limited influence over the EU and stop any UK legislative changes that could lead to further divergence.

This is the most likely route to rejoining the EU in the medium to long term. It would also mean we had demonstrated our reliability and commitment over a number of years, reducing the risk in the eyes of the EU that the UK is an untrustworthy partner who shouldn’t be allowed to rejoin. It would also give us the time to work on highlighting the benefits of EU membership, so we are in a strong position to fight the inevitable referendum. 

David Eldridge : What is the chance of electoral reform happening after the next election?

With all the smaller parties in favour of electoral reform, and the Labour party membership and trade union movement (if not the Labour leadership) backing PR, support for PR is growing. 

Add to that a two-party system that is splintering, leading to an increased likelihood of no party having a majority in the next Parliament. To form a government the larger party would require a coalition with a smaller party, which would likely seek PR as part of an agreed programme of government.

But to guarantee reform, we need the general public to be talking about electoral reform as one of the solutions to the UK’s longstanding and most intractable problems and putting pressure on the government for change. This isn’t happening at scale yet. Making PR the subject of supportive dinner table conversations is our biggest challenge and our best chance of ensuring PR for Westminster is in the next Labour manifesto.

Steve Wilson : With Labour MPs and members at odds with the government regarding Brexit and PR, do you think we can expect a change of approach before the next election?

The government are focused on delivering their five missions, with a sixth recently added, to boost the UK’s security and defence.

Although growth is central to its overall mission, and reversing some of the most damaging aspects of Brexit would be the quickest way to achieve growth, so far it looks as though the government is still too scared of ‘red wall’ voters to suggest any rapprochement that could be described as undoing Brexit. It has also painted itself into a corner by saying no single market, no customs union, no freedom of movement. So, I expect incremental improvements in UK/EU relations, not a big bang (see my answer to Ruth Woodhouse’s question).

For the answer on any change of approach to PR, see my answer to David Eldridge.

What do you consider Unlock Democracy’s greatest achievement, and your greatest challenge going forward?

Unlock Democracy’s greatest recent achievement is to have regained some of the visibility and influence it achieved in the years after it was first launched in 1988 (it was then called Charter 88). Unlock Democracy is now in regular conversations with government officials and MPs about a range of democratic reform issues, including automatic voter registration, postal votes for overseas voters, votes at 16, and foreign funding of UK politics. We expect a number of policies we have been campaigning for to be included in an Elections Bill which should be published in the next six months.

Our greatest challenge going forward is to broaden our support base so we can reach millions of people, rather than hundreds of thousands. This will be needed if we are to achieve electoral reform but also to reduce the UK’s vulnerability to a Trumpian-style insurgent government which denigrates and downgrades UK democracy and institutions.  

Lisa Burton : Do you think if Britain was to change its voting method from FPTP to a type of proportional representation it would remove some of the tribalism and help restore trust in politics?

PR isn’t a panacea. Introducing PR won’t, on its own, restore trust in politics. This will require action on a number of fronts. It will require:

  • a period of stable government
  • evidence the government can deliver
  • an absence of newsworthy scandals involving MPs

However, PR would help on all of these fronts: 

  • providing more continuity in government than First Past The Post (FPTP) voting which is leading to more and more unpredictable and potentially extreme outcomes 
  • delivering more effective government with evidence that countries with PR are healthier, wealthier, have less income inequality and are more serious about tackling climate change than countries with FPTP

offering fewer safe seats leading to less risk-taking by MPs. 

On the subject of tribalism, PR for Westminster elections is likely to lead to coalition governments. Coalitions require parties to work together. This builds relations between politicians from different parties. It also means the policy solutions they design have to have wider electoral appeal. It may also reduce the chance that policies which coalition partners worked on together get scrapped after an election in which one of the coalition partners loses its seat at the Cabinet table.

Next month

Caroline Lucas was the UK’s first Green Party Member of Parliament between 2010 and 2024, and before that served for 10 years in the European Parliament.  She has also served as both Leader and Co-Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales.  She is a writer, campaigner and keynote speaker, with a particular interest in the role of education and the arts in mobilising action on the climate and nature emergencies.  She has won numerous awards for her work: in 2020 she topped the list of the BBC Radio Woman’s Hour One Planet Power List of influential activists, educators and campaigners, and in 2024 the UK’s largest sustainable business awards scheme presented her with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

She is Co-President of the European Movement, and a Trustee of the Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne.  Her latest book, a Sunday Times bestseller, is Another England: How to Reclaim our National Story.

If you would like to submit a question(s) for Caroline, please email us no later than Tuesday 8 April.

Freedom of speech – a basic human right that is under threat

Freedom of speech – a basic human right that is under threat

Mar 26, 2025 | Bylines, News

While claiming to champion free speech, Trump and Vance’s actions both at home and abroad tell a very different story, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines. 

Politicians of all political persuasions acknowledge that freedom of speech is a fundamental human right. But they often disagree on who is allowed to exercise this hard-won civil liberty.

For the far-right – and Donald Trump’s America in particular – the right to free speech is reserved only for those who share the same undemocratic views. While touting the importance of free speech at every opportunity, President Trump, Vice President Vance, and their sidekick Elon Musk have done everything they can to limit opportunities for dissent.

Speak freely, but only if you agree with me

Whether it’s threatening journalists with prosecution, slashing funding for universities that allow peaceful protests, or attacking anyone who tries to protect their First Amendment rights, the Trump government attacks opinions that don’t align with its policy. This is despite Trump declaring, without a hint of irony, in his State of the Union address that he had “stopped all government censorship and brought back free speech in America”.

One of the latest casualties of Trump’s crackdown on “radical propaganda” is the cancellation of federal funding for the Voice of America. The international news organisation, which reaches hundreds of millions of people worldwide every week, was set up during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda. All 1,300 employees have been put on paid leave. This seems to be part of a broader trend to undermine independent media. But who needs a free, independent press anyway? Certainly not Trump, Vance or Musk.

Europe in their sights

But the hypocrisy doesn’t stop at US borders. As if the attacks on democracy and freedom at home weren’t bad enough, the US government is also attacking Europe. While restricting the freedom of Americans to express themselves openly, JD Vance accused Europe, while attending a security conference in Munich recently, of depriving its own citizens of freedom of speech. For good measure, Vance also criticised European governments for ignoring the will of the people (now, where have I heard that before?) and for failing to halt the immigration of undocumented people. According to Vance, Europe has retreated from its “most fundamental values – values shared with the USA”.

JD Vance, "The entire idea of Christian civilisation that was formed in Europe"

"Europe is starting to limit the free speech of their own citizens"

"If Germany allows more immigrants come in from countries that are totally culturally incompatible with Germany, Germany will have killed itself"

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— Farrukh (@implausibleblog.bsky.social) 15 March 2025 at 15:18

No sooner had Vance attacked European values abroad than the insult was repeated on American soil. When a French researcher was expelled from the States for expressing a “personal opinion” on Trump himself, it sparked a diplomatic row.

The academic, who had his personal laptop and mobile phone confiscated, was on an assignment for the French National Centre for Scientific Research. He was accused of sending “hateful” and “conspiratorial” messages that reflected “hatred towards Trump” and could be “described as terrorism”.

How this fits with the CIA’s definition of terrorism – “the calculated use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective” – is anyone’s guess.

Seems that Trump’s boast to have: “brought free speech back to America” only applies if he agrees with what is being said.

www.lbc.co.uk/world-news/d…

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— Otto English (@ottoenglish.bsky.social) 20 March 2025 at 07:49

The UK must avoid making the same mistakes

While the threat to free speech and expression in the UK may not match the insane levels of undemocratic activity in the US, there are some worrying signs. For example, according to Human Rights Watch, the British government is failing to uphold our democratic freedoms, particularly the right to peaceful protest. Furthermore, legislation requiring universities to take “reasonable steps” to promote free speech – the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 – looks likely to be scrapped.

Our own far-right politicians, whether of the Reform UK or Tory variety, have also proven time and again that they are in favour of free speech – but only their own, not that of their opposition. Heaven help any minority or ‘woke’ commentator who expresses an alternative opinion.

Freedom of expression is a basic human right that should be defended at all costs. We can only hope that our own government learns the lesson and doesn’t follow the far-right of the US or the UK down an undemocratic path.

Dr Martin Luther King Jr said the ability to speak one’s mind was no less a human right than is freedom from more painful and obvious abuses. Although the French writer and philosopher Voltaire may not actually have coined the phrase, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” it remains the acid test of such freedoms.

Even Musk said, back in 2023, “If we lose freedom of speech, it’s never coming back”. How ironic then that he, Trump and Vance are now trying so hard to take that right away.

We face growing threats to free speech. Perhaps we need to ask ourselves if we can afford to let this right be eroded by those who claim to protect it.

Bremainers Ask……. Graham Hughes

Bremainers Ask……. Graham Hughes

Feb 28, 2025 | Bremainers Ask, News

Graham Hughes is a campaigner, adventurer, filmmaker, television presenter and Guinness World Record holder, and was the first person to visit all 193 United Nations member states across the world without flying.

 Michael Soffe : Name your three greatest losses caused by leaving the EU and which of the three would you like to get back first?

From a purely selfish point of view, I’d like my career back. I used to present travel shorts and promos for companies across the EU. They were well-paid gigs and had me doing what I enjoy most: waking up somewhere new, presenting to camera and encouraging people to travel from a position of unique insight. Since Brexit, the offers declined, and now that I’d need a work permit, the offers have stopped entirely.

The second thing, which affects almost all of us, is how we can no longer freely travel around our own continent anymore. There are restrictions, and compromises have to be made. I can no longer even dream about retiring by the Med.

Finally, and again possibly selfishly, the cultural loss is something I take personally. There are the bands and singers, artists and dreamers who can no longer tour freely around our continent – the thousands of songs we’ll never hear, stories we’ll never read, films we’ll never see, all as a direct consequence of Brexit.

As a scouser who didn’t attend a private school, it really annoys me that the people who told us to vote for Brexit were almost all (to a man) members of that posh, pampered, privileged elite for whom this sort of thing isn’t a bother. They’ve lost NOTHING. They can afford the work permits, the visas, the residencia. Farage’s kids have German passports, Johnson’s dad lives in France, Tommy Ten Names has an Irish passport. No skin off their noses.

So yeah, what do I want more than anything? My freedom of movement. I want that back. I don’t see why it should be the reserve of the feckless, braying, inbred English neo-aristocracy.

Lisa Burton : How much more difficult would it be now, post Brexit, to visit all 193 UN member countries as you did previously?

It would be even more of a headache, that’s for sure. I mean it’s great that once I’m in the Schengen Area, I’ve got 29 countries I can visit without having to wait for 17 hours at each border, but what about the overseas territories of the EU that I had to pass through in order to complete my journey… Martinique, St Martin, Reunion, New Caledonia etc.? It would all add up. What if I went over my 90 days in 180?

Back when I was setting my Guinness World Record in 2010, the British passport was the most powerful in the world, something that gave me a bit of an edge to complete my mission. It no longer is. Furthermore, I don’t know if I could rely on representatives of EU countries coming to my aid if I got into a sticky situation – something they did when I was in Cape Verde and Congo.

I don’t think Brits who have rarely travelled outside of the EU know what it’s like crossing a “normal” border. They were lulled into a false sense that the freedoms we enjoyed, to buzz around our continent at a whim with minimum fuss were a given, that’s what it’s like everywhere, right? No

Anon : Of all the 193 UN member states you visited, which have made the most indelible impressions on you?

That’s a tricky one… since they all did! Sometimes for bad reasons, but more often for the best of reasons. Places like Egypt, Bolivia, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Thailand hold a special place in my heart, but it was Iran that really stood out. Terrible government for sure, but the people I met were just amazing. I got adopted everywhere I went!

My favourite memory of the entire journey was when I was on an overnight bus from Shiraz to Khorramshahr, and the little old lady sitting in front of me, who only spoke Farsi, passed me her phone. I put it to my ear, and the guy on the other end of the line introduced himself as Seyed, and told me (perfect English, by the way) that I was sitting behind his grandmother. She had called him because she was concerned about me. You see, the bus got in very early the next day, around 5am. She thought that I’d have nothing to do and nowhere to go. So, she wanted to know (if it was okay with me) if she could take me home with her and make me breakfast.

I get a bit teary when I recount that. Faith in humanity… restored!

Iran is also where I picked up my favourite saying: “Always be kind to strangers, for one day you might be the stranger.”

Steve Wilson : What lessons could the UK learn from other nations about democracy and dealing with far-right extremism?

I think there is a line that must be drawn, where people who don’t believe in democracy are not given a democratic platform.

Two things that I think are urgent: Firstly, clamping down on the misinformation and disinformation in the traditional media and on social media. We need press reform and robust legislation to curtail hate speech online. Hold the platforms accountable. Ofcom needs teeth, newspaper barons and the likes of GB News should no longer get away with spreading their lies and poison without any meaningful consequences. Germany is a good example of a place where Nazism is clamped down on hard (notwithstanding the recent AfD vote) and it’s against the law to deny or downplay the Holocaust.

Secondly, we need to equip our populations with the tools they need to spot bullshit wherever it appears. Finland does a great job with this, teaching kids in primary school how to identify fake news. Kids can then pass on what they’ve learnt to their parents, to their grandparents. It’s why Finland is the least likely place in Europe, and possibly the world, to fall for Russian propaganda etc.

 

EU Flag

Valerie Chaplin : How can we fight Starmer and his #MakeBrexitWork mantra?

Lobby Labour MPs. Most of them are decent people and want what’s best for the country. But be smart: going in all guns blazing demanding Brexit be reversed (although that’s what we all want to do) isn’t going to get us anywhere. Think about what moves we can realistically take with regards to greater cooperation with the EU: common defence strategies, youth mobility schemes, reviving Erasmus, joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) convention, a return as a full member of Euratom etc.

Every step on that journey is another step closer to rejoining the EU. But, don’t forget, we don’t just need Labour onside to make this happen, we need the vast majority of Brits onside as well, and while the number of people who think Brexit has gone well is declining by the day, there are still a sizeable number of “loonies” (to use the scientific term) who would defend even an imperfect Brexit like it was their firstborn.

Helen Johnston : The Government is failing to call out Trump and Musk and publishing Reform-style ads boasting “Labour hits 5-year high in migrant removals”. Where do we go from here?

Yes, it blows my mind. However, this is precisely why I’m not a politician. No way could I be diplomatic in the face of such provocation from the likes of Trump and Musk.

I guess Starmer has made the calculation that prohibitive tariffs placed on British goods entering the US would massively impact the UK economy, already reeling from Austerity, Brexit, Covid and Truss, and that our defence capabilities rely heavily on American hardware and software… so play nice, flatter the Mango Mussolini, while quietly plotting an exit strategy (one that I hope takes us back to our true friends in the EU).

As for those bloody ads… urgh. What were they thinking?!! I run a YouTube channel called Politics Social, and one topic that comes up more often than not when I’m chatting to Phil Moorhouse, Mike Galsworthy, Femi Oluwole, Marina Purkiss etc., is just how utterly dire Labour comms are. They make the marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation look competent!

Those of us that have a bit of a platform are trying our best to encourage Labour to see how they’re coming across to the vast majority of us voters. My hope is that they get their act together in the next few years in time for the next election.

I want a Labour Party that works on the principles of the people who vote for them, not one that operates out of fear of those who do not.

Ruth Woodhouse : I understand you have stood as an independent candidate and as a candidate for the Liberal Democrats. Would you consider standing as a Rejoin EU candidate should the opportunity arise?

To be brutally honest, if there was a danger of me actually being elected, I wouldn’t have stood! I don’t want to be a politician, and I don’t think I’d make a particularly good one (not least because of the reason I gave in my last answer… I’m far too hot-headed).

As for Rejoin EU, I’m a bit torn. Since we live in a first-past-the-post system, there’s the argument that it takes the sensible vote away from other centre and left-wing parties, without any realistic chance of getting in an MP. That being the case, I would prefer to work with the rejoin wing of the Lib Dems or the Labour Movement for Europe in order to effect change from within the established parties. But yeah, if we had Proportional Representation, I would be more inclined to stand. Can’t say I’d make a “good” MP though!

David Eldridge : Do you think the UK will rejoin the EU one day and if so, what would the process and timescale be?

Yes. Absolutely. Of that I have no doubt whatsoever. I see it as inevitable. A geographic, historic, socio-economic certainty. There’s very little I’m thankful to that Wotsit Wanker in Washington for, but if he’s achieving anything right now, it’s frog-marching the UK back into the arms of our lovely neighbours. So, er, thanks for that, you Spray-Tan Satan.

Coupled with Vladimir Putin’s barbarous designs on the free peoples of Europe, I can see Reunification Day edging ever closer with each and every unhinged headline I read about the MAGA Mafia currently running America into the ground.

I think we’ll see more UK-EU cultural, economic and military agreements over the next four years, and when Trump refuses to leave the White House (I can’t see him ever leaving that place unless it’s in a box), the need for us to return home to the EU will become more pressing than ever.

I can see the 2029 election being fought on closer integration with the EU: single market, customs union, a free movement deal and perhaps even a legally binding referendum to rejoin in 2030.

If you had asked me that question a few months ago, I would have said a rejoin referendum in the 2034 Labour and Lib Dem manifestos was an outside possibility, but with that Tangerine Twat tearing up all international norms, that timeline is accelerating by the day.

Turns out, even the most toxic of clouds can have a silver lining…

Thanks for your questions. That was fun! Slava Ukraini.

Next month

Tom Brake is the Director of Unlock Democracy. He was an MP for 20+ years, a government minister for 3 years and was the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Brexit from 2017 to 2019. If you would like to submit a question for Tom, pleased do so by email, no later than 8 March.

Proud to work closely with the British Embassy to keep you informed

Proud to work closely with the British Embassy to keep you informed

Feb 26, 2025 | Articles, Embassy Updates, News

Check in regularly for all the latest information for British citizens living in Spain or just visiting.

LATEST Update 25/02/26

New UK rules of entry for dual nationals

 

New UK government rules require all British citizens – including those that hold dual citizenship – to show a valid British passport or a ‘certificate of entitlement’ when travelling to the UK.

Statement from the British Embassy: “As indicated by the Spanish Foreign Affairs Ministry, dual British-Spanish citizens can travel on their Spanish passport but will have to carry their British (or Irish) passport with them or have a certificate of entitlement linked to their Spanish passport.”

 

Useful links:

  • Renew your UK passport here  
  • Apply for a certificate of entitlement here
  • Further information for dual British citizens here 
  • For children born in Spain, check qualification for British citizenship/need a British passport to travel here
  • Find out more on how ETA enforcement affects dual British-Spanish citizens here
  • Read recommendations made to the Home Office by ILPA, the 3 Million & British in Europe here
LATEST Update 20/10/25

The European Entry System

On 12 October 2025, the EU introduced the new border checks system, which will be  phased in over the next six-months. In Spain, the first test checks were carried out in Madrid Barajas on 12 October and the system went live in Malaga airport on October 20.

Once the system is fully up and running, there will be no more manual stamping, but until April next year, your passport may still be stamped.

  • Visitors – Your fingerprints and photo may be taken at the EU border. This might take a few minutes, so be prepared to wait at busy times.
  • TIE holders – If you’re a UK national living in Spain with a TIE, you do not need to register in the EES.
  • Green certificate holders – Apply for a TIE as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might be treated as a tourist when entering the EU and asked to register in the EES.

For more information:

Entering Spain as a resident

All about the EES

Spain’s EES implementation plan

Please note that the British Embassy in Spain is aware of the difficulties in getting appointments in many regions to swap green certificates for the TIE or renew temporary TIEs, and is talking to the Spanish Government.

Bremain in Spain will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated as the EES system rolls out to new airports and ports. 

LATEST Update 23/7/25

ENTRY/EXIT SYSTEM (EES) Implementation date confirmed

The date for implementation of Europe’s EES for non-EU travellers, including British tourists, has been confirmed as 12 October this year.

The aim of the system is to digitise border crossings so that all non-EU citizens can be more closely monitored. This will help identify suspected criminals and allow policing of the 90 days stay in 180 days.

The system – which will require facial biometrics and fingerprints – will be phased in over a 6-month period and will be fully operational from 10/4/26.

LATEST Update 26 June 2025

Bremain attended a meeting with representatives of the Embassy and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to discuss forthcoming changes affecting travel between the UK and the EU.

ENTRY/EXIT SYSTEM

The introduction of the EES will require UK-based British citizens, as 3rd country nationals, to create a digital record, submit fingerprints and have a photo taken for facial recognition purposes when travelling to the EU.

Implementation of the EES is scheduled for October 2025 and a launch date should be confirmed very soon. The system will be rolled out over a 6-month period.

UK nationals resident in Spain who are in possession of the TIE will be exempt (see below).

More information here

ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORISATION (ETA)

When travelling to the UK, EU citizens need to apply for an ETA.

Any UK national who has not renounced their British citizenship, will be recognised as British by the UK authorities. Therefore, those currently without a British passport are encouraged to re-apply for one as soon as possible, to avoid the necessity of applying for an ETA.

More information here

TIE (Foreigner Identity Card)

The number 1 priority for all British residents in Spain, who are still in possession of the old green residencia document/card, is to switch to the TIE. Only those that can prove their residency with the TIE will be exempt from the forthcoming EES system – something both the Spanish and British authorities agree on.

More information here and on our TIE webpage

LATEST Update 14 May 2024

Update from Embassy 14 May

In October 2024 (date still tbc), the EU is introducing a new scheme for non-EU citizens (including British Nationals) entering an EU country for a short stay. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will require non-EU tourists to provide their name, passport details & biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) & will replace the current stamping of passports at the border. Details will also need to be provided regarding the date and place of entry and exit.

Details will be kept on file for 3 years meaning that, for example, any British citizen making repeat visits to Spain during that 3-year period would not need to go through the same registration process each time.

Exemptions for British residents in Spain: Residents will need to show their TIE biometric card in order to be exempt from EES registration. Therefore, the British Embassy & Bremain in Spain strongly recommend that all British residents in Spain apply for a TIE before the EES comes into force, including those currently using the Green Certificate.

Useful links

EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

UK Parliament House of Commons Library – EU Entry/Exit System & EU Travel Authorisation System

British Embassy Facebook Page – Brits in Spain

Update from Embassy 23 November

Bremain attended a webinar with the Embassy today to discuss the pressing issues of Driving Licence exchange and local voting rights in Spain.

DGT

Driving licence exchange – the discussions have progressed & the next steps are legal checks & political processes. While the timeline is out of the Embassy’s control, further information will be forthcoming as soon as it is available.

For the latest information of the conclusion of the two outstanding issues, watch the video from the Ambassador here

Local elections Spain – the Municipal elections will take place on 28 May 2024. UK nationals are eligible to vote as long as they are registered on the Padron and have been resident in Spain for 3 years.

It is advisable to check beforehand that you are on the Padron, with the correct address, ahead of the date window for registration on the electoral roll – 1/12/22 – 15/1/23. For more information visit the Living in Spain website here

Update from Embassy 11 June

Following the ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) regarding EU citizenship and voting/standing in local elections, the Embassy would like to confirm the rules with regards to Spain.

The ECJ ruled that with Brexit, we lost our EU citizenship rights and the right to vote and stand in local elections under EU law. However, this does not affect UK nationals’ right to vote and stand in local elections in Spain. This is because a bilateral agreement exists between Spain and the UK which allows UK nationals who have lived in in Spain for more than 3 years to vote and stand in local elections.

More information on voting rights in Spain (and the treaty, signed in January 2019) is available in the Embassy’s Living in Spain guide.

Update from Embassy 23 February

The latest update from the Embassy includes information on a variety of subjects, including an extension for the use of UK driving licences in Spain.

For all the latest information, click on the relevant PDF below for all the latest details and useful links.

  • Driving Licence PDF
  • Access to regional employment services PDF
  • Residence registration PDF
  • Voting rights and registration on the electoral roll PDF

Update from Embassy 22 December

As the year comes to a close, the Embassy have provided an update on the issues that are still concerning UK nationals living in Spain.

RESIDENCY

Following a negative outcome on a residency application, some UK nationals have received an instruction to leave Spain within 15 days. While discussions between the relevant authorities are ongoing, the Embassy have put together some information for those finding themselves in this position. Open the Residency PDF for further details.

DRIVING LICENCES

Ambassador Hugh Elliott has recorded a video message for UK Licence holders living in Spain, which has been posted on the Brits in Spain Facebook channel. Negotiations are “progressing” but have yet to reach a conclusion. An extension to the current grace period has been asked for, and is expected to be granted, before the end of the year. Open the Driving Licence PDF for further details.

PASSPORT STAMPING

UK travellers are still experiencing inconsistencies at the border, with some Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries being stamped despite presenting evidence of their residence status, and some visitors being stamped only on entry and not on exit.

For the second group – the travellers who are concerned that they received an entry but not an exit stamp –  the Embassy have recently updated their travel advice page with information in line with the Schengen Borders Code. This information currently sits under the subheading ‘visas’ on the page. We advise UK travellers to carry evidence of when and where they last entered and exited the Schengen Area when travelling in the future as you can ask a border guard to add this information into your passport. Acceptable forms of evidence can include boarding passes and tickets.

TAXATION OF OCCUPATIONAL OR PRIVATE UK PENSIONS

In response to issues raised in this regard by Bremain in Spain, the Embassy have put together some information. Open the Pensions PDF for further information.

Update from Embassy 13 November

The Embassy are often contacted for assistance in areas they are unable to assist with. To clarify where they can help, and to point people in the right direction where they can’t, a guide has been produced to explain the services they provide. Click here to open the guide

For visas for those wishing to move to Spain, please contact the Spanish consulate in the UK

To contact the Embassy in Madrid by phone or online, or for more information click here

Update from Embassy 27 October

DRIVING LICENCE EXTENSION

The Spanish government has today announced that valid UK licences will continue to be recognised for driving in Spain until 31 December 2021.

Negotiations are ongoing, and the Embassy will continue to provide information as and when any developments happen.

Independent of those ongoing negotiations, UK Nationals who successfully registered their intent to exchange their licence before 30 December 2020, will be able to exchange it for a Spanish one without having to take a practical test up until the end of this year. The Embassy understands that some people who tried to register their intent have subsequently found out that they were unsuccessful in doing so. If this is your situation and you are unclear as to why, you should contact the DGT directly to discuss further. https://www.dgt.es/es/contacto.shtml

If you moved to Spain after 1 January 2021, your UK licence is valid for six months from the date of your TIE or until 31 December, whichever is later.

Update from Embassy 12 October

UK national stakeholder event with FCDO Minister for Europe and the Americas

On Thursday 30 September, Wendy Morton, FCDO Minister for Europe and the Americas, met with 14 representatives from ten organisations that work closely with the UK community in Spain, as part of her visit to Madrid.

The meeting was an opportunity for the Minister to hear of the main concerns and issues affecting UK nationals in Spain, following the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, ahead of her meetings with the Spanish government later that day. The issues raised included: registration/residency applications, visa processing, the stamping of passports, immigrations status, moving back to the UK and many more.

The Minister assured representatives she would be raising issues, such as the registration of UK nationals in Spain and driving licence exchange, in her meetings with the Spanish government, and that ensuring smooth visa processes was also a priority. Citizens’ rights remains a priority for the UK government and the British Embassy in Madrid continues to engage with the relevant UK and Spanish authorities on the various issues that were raised.

Bremain in Spain was ably represented by Vice Chair, Lisa Ryan Burton and Council Member and Newsletter Editor, Helen Johnston.

For further details regarding the topics discussed, view the PDF

Update from Embassy 27 September

Earlier this year, the Embassy carried out a series of Healthcare focus groups throughout the EU. Some of the most popular questions and concerns were about NHS access and S1 registration, with participants wanting more detailed information.

As a result, the Embassy have produced the following series of infographics. Click on the relevant PDF for more information:

  • The S1 form (an explainer on what the S1 is, who can apply etc) – PDF
  • How to access the NHS if you are a UK national living in the EU – PDF
  • How to access the NHS if you are a registered S1 form holder – PDF
  • How to register your S1 form in Spain – PDF

Registering your S1 with the INSS

The INSS has recently updated its online portal.  The process has been revised, and there’s a specific link for S1 form holders who wish to register online.  There is a dedicated page on gov.uk which outlines the process for registering your S1 online, and which has been updated to reflect changes made.

Please note that, at present, the page is only in Spanish and it has an additional series of instructions to ensure you confirm your identity.

 

Update from Embassy 25 June

Starting today, the Embassy Health Team are offering one-to-one calls with UK nationals on the last Friday of every month, continuing throughout the summer.

How does it work?

You can book a 10-minute slot to speak to one of the health team about your individual circumstances, relating to healthcare access. Click on the link here to book your appointment.

What can people call about?

The objective is to help those who are still struggling to register or are having issues with accessing healthcare. Unfortunately, the Embassy will not be offering advice or assistance with anything related to provision of care, or the Covid-19 vaccine – both of which fall outside the remit of the team.

Future sessions will be advertised on the Brits in Spain Facebook page a few days before the event.

Update from Embassy 23 June

CHANGES TO DEADLINE RE DRIVING LICENCE EXCHANGE

On Tuesday 22 June, the Spanish Consejo de Ministros agreed an extension to several measures in their end-of-transition period Royal Decree.  One was on the recognition of UK driving licences in Spain.  The announcement in English can be found here.

The deadline for the exchange of driving licences, for those who were resident in Spain prior to the end of the transition period, has been extended. For full details of the changes, read our PDF here

 You can also find further details re driving licences, for those who did not register details/intent before the 31/12/20 deadline, in the PDF.

Update from Embassy 27 May

On Thursday 27th May, Bremain in Spain Chair, Sue Wilson and Vice Chair, Lisa Ryan Burton attended an update meeting with British Embassy staff to discuss:

  • Driving Licence Exchange
  • Travel – including the much discussed ‘carta de invitación´
  • Residency
  • Votes for life – government press release

To read all about those discussions and get the latest information, click on the PDF here.

Update from Embassy 21 May

In response to members’ concerns about entry requirements to Spain – especially in relation to visitors to our homes – the Embassy have provided the following update and helpful links.

Following recent discussions with the Spanish authorities, the relevant Embassy webpages have been updated, and further clarification will be available in due course.

The following websites are recommended by the Embassy as the best sources of information:

There is further information direct from the Embassy in the PDF

Update from Embassy 21 April

On Tuesday 20 April, our Chair, Bremain in Spain Chair, Sue Wilson took part in a meeting with representatives of the FCDO (Citizens’ Rights department) and British Embassy staff from Madrid and Paris. The meeting was also attended by representatives of citizens’ rights groups from 7 EU countries.

The meeting involved discussions around the misrepresentation in the media of recent coverage of events regarding UK nationals, most especially in Spain. Other topics included communications, information and support being provided for Brits abroad, followed by a question and answer session.

To read more about the meeting, open the PDF

Update from Embassy 16 April

There has been some confusion over the rules for visiting other Schengen countries when legally resident in Spain. We asked the Embassy to clarify how long you are entitled to visit, and whether the rules are different for those with temporary residency to those with permanent residency.

Open the PDF for confirmation of:

  • Length of stay for visits
  • Requirements for extended stays for work
  • Length of time you can be out of Spain without affecting your residency
  • Differences between temporary & permanent residency rights (where they exist)
Update from Embassy 4 March

In response to recent concerns our members raised over access to Spain’s vaccination programme, we approached the Embassy directly and received this response:

“The Spanish Government’s Vaccination Strategy sets out that all people living in Spain will be eligible for the vaccine, regardless of nationality or residency status.  The Vaccination Strategy is updated regularly to include new priority groups as the number of doses available gradually increases.  You might be interested to see this question and answer from the Spanish government’s FAQ website, which highlights that all people in the priority groups, irrespective of their nationality or type of sickness insurance cover, are being vaccinated.

Those UK nationals who are already registered in the public health system should be contacted by their regional health authority to arrange an appointment.  The Spanish authorities are asking insurance companies to coordinate with regional health services in order to provide vaccines to their customers.  The Spanish authorities are also considering how to contact people who are not registered on the public system nor with a private insurer.  Ultimately, our advice to UK nationals living in Spain remains that they contact their local health centre and/or insurer for more information.”

The Embassy will provide further updates as and when further information is available, and the issue will be followed closely by the Embassy communications team.

Update from Embassy 26 February

The Department for Health & Social Care has today provided healthcare updates, and potential solutions to difficulties being faced by UK nationals when registering S1 forms.

Open the PDF HERE for more information on the following, plus some useful links:

  • Continuation of S1 scheme
  • Sending medication via courier from the UK to Spain
  • S1 registration issues
Update from Embassy 16 February

There has been plenty of information available recently regarding applications for Spanish residency. To date, that information has related to those that arrived in Spain before the end of the Brexit transition period.

What are the requirements for those moving to Spain from 1 January 21?

UK nationals moving to Spain post Brexit (and who are not joining close family members under WA family reunification rules) will need to meet the same requirements as other third country nationals.

In most cases, this will require starting the process via the Spanish consulate in the UK, before traveling to Spain.  The requirements will differ depending on the visa/residence permit the person is applying for (e.g. a residence and work permit, a non-lucrative visa, etc).

UK nationals requiring further information about visas/residence permits should consult with the competent authorities for Spain:

For the Spanish Consulate in the UK visa FAQ page, click here

For the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration page, click here

Update from Embassy 10 February

The Embassy has produced an essential guide explaining your citizens’ rights as covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. The guide contains information of the following topics, as well as many useful links:

  • Living & working
  • Healthcare
  • Driving
  • Education
  • Voting
  • Travel
  • Pensions

You can view/download the guide HERE or click on the image below. Hard copies are available from the Embassy directly.

Update from Embassy 27 January

 On Wednesday 27 January, our Bremain Chair, Sue Wilson & Vice Chair, Lisa Burton attended a meeting with British Ambassador, Hugh Elliott & his Embassy team.

The Ambassador & his team spoke to a number of issues – many of which are being compounded by both Brexit & Covid. Prior to the meeting, our members raised a number of important concerns with us.

The topics covered were:

  • Vaccination programme in Spain
  • Stamping passports
  • S1 registration delays
  • Driving licences
  • Lack of appointments for TIE
  • Authorities holding your documentation (while waiting for residencia)
  • Increased bank charges
  • Buying property in designated military areas
Hugh Elliott
For answers to all of the above issues, & to access many useful links to additional sources of information, read our PDF here

 Thank you for bringing these important issues to Bremain’s attention, and to the Embassy for their knowledge, support and efforts on behalf of all Brits in Spain.

Update from Embassy 23 January

Spanish Bank accounts & the TIE

The Spanish government has produced a public document which explicitly confirms the continuing validity of the green residence certificate as proof of a person’s rights under the Withdrawal Agreement and therefore their residence rights/status in Spain.

Embassy Letter
In a recent article, it was suggested that banks in Spain would require all British customers to be in possession of a TIE. Whilst a bank may well be within their rights to ask that customers keep their details and personal identification documents up to date (e.g. their passport), they should not insist that a holder of a green EU residence certificate exchanges it to a TIE in order to prove their residence rights and continue banking with them.  If you are asked by your bank to do so, please direct them to the above document.
Update from Embassy 4 January

In response to the recent travel issues experienced by British nationals returning to Spain, the Spanish authorities, in conjunction with the British Embassy, have issued a statement clarifying the position.

An example of the accepted residency documents can be found here

For details on entry requirements into Spain please see the Consulate General of Spain update here

Embassy Letter
Update from Embassy 2 January

The Spanish Ministry of Migration have updated their website to include two really helpful pieces of info:

  • An updated version of the FAQ document, which includes many of the questions we supplied to the Embassy and which they have been feeding into them on our behalf. These include what to do if you’ve exchanged your green residence certificate for a TIE but want to change it to a permanent card before the original TIE expires – see p.37
ministerio
ministerio
  • A bilingual, informative note on the documentation that UK nationals can use to evidence their residence status and that they are a beneficiary of the WA. Notwithstanding the Spanish government’s clear recommendation for UK nationals to get the TIE, this confirms the validity of the green certificate, even if it is older than 5 years and doesn’t say ‘permanente’.

The Embassy and officials at the Spanish Migration ministry hope that UK nationals will be able to print off or point to this second document should they have any problems in exercising their rights or accessing services in Spain.

The English version of the ministry website and the Embassy’s own Living in Spain guide should be updated with this information shortly.

Update from Embassy 15 December

Bremain joined other stakeholders for an online Embassy conference call, to discuss current issues affecting Brits in Spain.

We raised a number of issues that our members brought to our attention beforehand, & you can read full details of those in our PDF here

Topics covered included: travel, residency/TIE, EHIC, driving licences & more.

webinar
Update from Embassy 25 November

Bremain held its first webinar in conjunction with Lorna Geddie from the Embassy. The 63 Bremain members attending raised questions on a wide range of topics, including travel, visa requirements, pensions, banking, residency, healthcare/EHIC, swallows rights, driving licences & dual citizenship.

Many thanks to Lorna for her valuable input & to all those that took part.
In response to all the issues raised, Lorna has kindly put together a PDF especially for Bremain in Spain members. (Last update: January 2021)

“I am very grateful to Sue and the Bremain in Spain team for setting up the webinar and it was great to see so many members on the call. It is so useful for the Embassy to hear and understand the questions and concerns of UK nationals in Spain, as it helps us with our citizens’ rights work going forward. I would urge anyone who hasn’t already done so to check out the information available via the Living in Spain guide on gov.uk and to sign up for email alerts to ensure they keep up to date with all the latest developments.” 
Lorna Geddie, British Embassy
Lorna Geddie - photo

“My thanks to Sue, Matt and Lisa for organising the webinar, and very especially to Lorna who was clear, knowledgeable and very generous with her time” – Richard Lander

”Thanks very much for organising an excellent meeting & to all involved” – Mel Slater

“A wide range of topics were covered. Very interesting, informative & inclusive” – Sue Scarrott

”Thank you to everyone at Team Bremain for making this happen” – Jacqueline Davison

 

Update from Embassy 17 November

The Embassy have provided us with updates relating to:

  • British bank accounts for Spanish residents
  • DGT latest protocol re driving licences

To read the latest information re banking, click on the PDF HERE

To read the latest information re driving licence applications, click on the PDF HERE

 You will also find a post on the subject on the Embassy “Brits in Spain” Facebook page here

 

Bank
DGT
Update from Embassy 11 November

The government have introduced a new portal to improve the process of applying for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

If you are eligible for a new card, for use after the end of the Brexit transition period, you can apply using the link below.

 

EHIC
In addition to a wealth of information about the EHIC, including eligibility post-Brexit, the Embassy have also compiled a list of FAQs on the subject – just click on the PDF HERE

To apply for your new UK EHIC via the new portal, click HERE

 

Update from Embassy 6 November 2020

The Embassy’s dedicated healthcare team have provided an update on exportable benefits. The policy review – which applies to those wishing to make a new application for an S1 form from 1/1/21 only – affects those who are in receipt of:

  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Carer’s Allowance
2020_DHSC
NB. this policy change does not affect the following groups:

  • those who qualify for an S1 form on the basis of another benefit, such as a UK State Pension
  • those receiving benefits from an existing S1

To read the Embassy update on exportable benefits in full, click on the PDF HERE

The healthcare team have also responded to your queries regarding EHIC cards. You can read their update PDF HERE (Updated 9/11/2020)

If you have any further questions, you can contact the dedicated health team by email at: healthcare.spain@fcdo.gov.uk

 

Update from Embassy 16th October 2020 – Your questions answered

Bremain in Spain members submitted a number of interesting questions to the Embassy, regarding residencia, driving licences, Withdrawal Agreement rights & much more. Open the PDF for your questions & the Embassy’s answers HERE or select FAQs image right. Further questions on healthcare have been submitted to the specialist team & will be answered in due course.

The Embassy also provided some useful Spanish authority links for further information:

FAQs
Update from Embassy 9th October 2020

 Driving Licences

The Embassy has been in touch with the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) regarding the difficulty in getting driving licence appointments. The Embassy are working with the DGT to improve the process for British citizens resident in Spain. For all the latest details, open the PDF, where you will also find updates regarding registration issues.

DGT
Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights (SCCR)

The SCCR met on 8 October for the 3rd time – the agenda included social security coordination, registration and support for the most vulnerable. You can read the joint statement from the UK and EU, issued following the meeting here

For details open or download the PDF HERE or select image above.

 

Update from Embassy 23rd September 2020 HMA video for UK Nationals

With 100 days until the end of the Transition Period, HMA Hugh Elliott has recorded a message for UK Nationals – providing reassurance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement and reinforcing the importance of being legally resident.

Updates from Embassy on 22nd September 2020 re potential bank account closures

Thousands of British citizens living in the EU have been contacted by UK banks warning of potential account closures due to Brexit.

Following concerns raised by members, Bremain contacted the Embassy for an urgent update.

Please open or download the PDF HERE or select image right for the Embassy’s swift response.

Banks
To receive the latest updates direct from the Embassy, we recommend you sign up for the Embassy email alerts. You can select your preferred frequency of alert here

 

Updates from Embassy on 18th September 2020

Read updates from the British Embassy regarding:

    • The Internal Market Bill
    • TIE
    • Driving Licences
    • Dates for LIVE Facebook events
Embassy Spain Advice
For details open or download the PDF HERE or select image above.

 

On Friday 11 September, Bremain in Spain Chair, Sue Wilson took part in an Embassy Stakeholder meeting. Topics discussed included:

  • Internal Market Bill
  • TIE applications
  • Communications
  • Stakeholders input
  • UKNSF government funded support programmes
  • Healthcare

For more information, download the PDF HERE or select image right.

Living in Spain after Brexit
A few outstanding queries have yet to be answered, but on receipt of any further updates from the Embassy, we will pass on any additional information.

 

The Embassy welcome direct contact from members of the public, with general or more specific, personal enquiries. Please use this LINK to make direct contact as it will generate an online form & provide a reference number.

You can also contact the consulate in your area – a list of consulates can be found here

You will receive a direct response in due course.

 

The Embassy provide regular updates, including live Q & A sessions, on their Facebook page here

The Embassy website has a wealth of information on a variety of topics, including details of how things will change after the end of Brexit transition period here

You can also follow them on Twitter: @BritsliveSpain