A Attorney The time frame is long, forcing thousands of Britons who have made the EU countries their homes to return to the UK.
Non-resident UK citizens or those arriving after the expiration of the transition period with 1 January must return to the UK by 31 March.
Since the UK is no longer a member of the European Union, British citizens can stay in Schengen for up to 90 days without a visa for six months.
It could also affect UK citizens who have not met the December 31 deadline to apply for residency.
It is estimated that thousands of Britons who have not yet settled in countries like Spain for years will be forced to return to the UK as the corona virus outbreak is causing delays for regional authorities.
John Shears, who has lived in Spain for more than two years, is one of those who did not meet the deadline to apply for residency, he faces returning to the United Kingdom.
“It was naive of me,” he said. “I didn’t put mine on after a while [the deadline]. And then it was tapped, we say. “
Appeal against this decision, but if it is not successful, you will have to leave the country. He says he is one of thousands of UK citizens in the same position.
Abby Wallwork has been a volunteer at the Donkey Dreamland Sanctuary in Mijaz, near Malaga, in southern Spain since the beginning of this year.
Now, like any other non-resident British citizen, his 90-day stay is almost over.
“My time is up,” he said. “The clock has been ticking since the first of January. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to avoid it. “
If you don’t return by March 31, you face a fine or a ban from returning to the country.
He has no home in Spain, but hundreds of thousands of Britons do, and why coronavirus Epidemic, delays Many missed the January 1 deadline to apply for residency under the EU withdrawal agreement.
Spain is developing a new permanent registration system for foreigners with biometric cards called TIE, but it is lagging behind due to the high number of applications.
About 300,000 British citizens are registered as permanent residents in Spain, although before Brexit, many more lived full or part time in the country without being officially registered.
When Britain pulled out of the single market and the EU customs union at midnight on New Year’s Day, Britain became the third country to lose its freedom of movement and access to health care in the Schengen countries.
That is, UK citizens can only live in a Schengen country for retirement purposes for a maximum of three months during a six-month period without a visa.
The three-month period ends on March 31 for those who do not have residency or a work permit funded by their employer.
UK residents who stay in the EU Schengen for more than 90 days in any 180-day period are an ‘undocumented immigrant’ and can face fines or deportation.
Anyone deported from an EU country is generally prohibited from returning for up to five years.
Those who plan to stay longer than allowed should apply for the extension.
An extension beyond the 90-day limit is only offered if you are unwell or someone has been involved in an accident.
Otherwise, a visa or work permit must be obtained, the approved periods of which do not count as the 90-day visa-free limit.
The EU has insisted that member states move, but in the end it depends on the country.
I have lived in Spain for many years, does this apply to me?
People who have lived in Spain or other Schengen states before January 1 have the right to apply for residence under the withdrawal agreement. It does not preserve the rights of all EU citizens, but provides additional security and access to medical care.
British citizens must prove that they have lived in the country for a certain period of time and must prove income or pension.
However, there have been delays due to the increased use of the corona virus infection, causing many to miss the December 31 deadline.
The Spanish government has launched a lifeline for UK citizens by extending the deadline, but time is running out. UK citizens must apply for residency status by June 30, 2021.
The other 13 European countries, including Portugal, will grant the right of stay to British people who can prove their residency before December 31st.
Other countries have strict Brexit requirements, urging all Britons to apply for a new residency status.
The Spanish guideline establishes that British citizens who come to Spain until January 1, 2021 can also request residency in certain circumstances.
This includes whether there is a family link with the beneficiary of the retirement agreement.
To obtain residency, you must have a registered address, be able to support yourself financially, and have access to medical care.
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