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British expats in France and other EU countries

(143 Posts)
jura2 Thu 18-Oct-18 09:22:00

Despite Mrs May repeated reassurances, it is now clear, that

BRITONS living in France will instantly be deemed illegal immigrants if the UK crashes out of the European Union without an exit deal, Emmanuel Macron’s government has proposed.

That will also mean the end of reciprocal health care and any kind of social support in case circumstances have changed, like losing a spouse, or illness or accident, etc, requiring any kind of assistance.

And you wonder why people are so worried, some of them actually suffering from severe anxiety, depression and other illnesses.

maddyone Thu 18-Oct-18 21:41:36

Clearly if British people wish to live in France after Brexit, it would seem obvious that they will need to apply for residency.

maddyone Thu 18-Oct-18 21:40:13

I do understand oldbatty, that many migrants are fleeing from a multitude of situations that are unimaginable to us, but I also understand that many others are economic migrants.

maddyone Thu 18-Oct-18 21:38:31

I think that’s right if they enter legally oldbatty, but if arriving from within the Schengen area, people can enter France for 90 days without a visa. Therefore it seems unlikely that if arriving through Italy, Spain, Germany etc that a visa is required, especially since we are told many people throw their documents away, so clearly wouldn’t have a visa. Of course, Britain has never been part of the Schengen area, but none the less, we have never been asked for anything other than a quick check of our passports to enter France. This includes our visit to Europe, including France, during 1973, which was prior to the Schengen area being established anyway. In fact, as students, we travelled through Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France during the summer of 1973, and were asked for nothing more than our passports as we entered each country. I do not believe that economic migrants are asked for a visa in order to enter France, any more than they are asked for one when they succeed in entering the U.K.

oldbatty Thu 18-Oct-18 21:07:13

Yes that's right maddy. France does indeed ask people fleeing hideous things we can't even begin to imagine, for tourist visas.

Jalima1108 Thu 18-Oct-18 20:09:29

I just checked Margaret and, as far as European countries go:
Austria, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland* and Slovakia do not allow dual nationality
^ *Poland does not explicitly allow or recognise dual citizenship, yet it is tolerated by the government for a Polish person to hold two passports.^

Jalima1108 Thu 18-Oct-18 20:07:28

Why is dual nationality not an answer to this problem?
It would seem to be the logical answer MargaretX

And it would mean that people would retain their EU passport.

MargaretX Thu 18-Oct-18 19:56:24

Why is dual nationality not an answer to this problem?
The UK is generous in this respect. If you speak the language and know a bit about the country you are living in why not apply for that nationality. You don't have to give the UK one up.
I feel certain that UK citzens living in Germany have been assred by Fr Merkel that they can stay.

All my Brit friends have got a German ID already.

maddyone Thu 18-Oct-18 19:30:50

I wonder if France asks for tourist visas from the people who were/are living at Calais, and all the other places where people have set up camp.

Fennel Thu 18-Oct-18 19:12:38

The discussion on driving licences - I'm now in England, and have a french driving license which is supposed to be valid for 3 years after returning here. Insurance based on this.
So if and when we leave the EU the license and insurance will be void.
Personally I don't mind, I hardly drive at all now. But husband won't be too happy. He doesn't realise yet.

PamelaJ1 Thu 18-Oct-18 18:12:54

We add our Aussie DD and SiL to our car insurance, no problem.
My mum, whose license was awarded in HK could drive here on an international license for a year before taking a test here. Has that changed? It was a long time ago.
She drove herself to her test here, failed then drove herself home. If she had been staying here her license would have been cancelled but she was returning so she kept it, took some lessons on how to drive as a learner, and passed the second time!

Jalima1108 Thu 18-Oct-18 17:38:22

It's interesting that you can have dual or triple nationality (not every country allows this but most do) but not two driving licences, one for each nationality.

We've had no problem adding overseas visitors who do not have British licences (they had to revoke them) to our car insurance - but, of course, we are the main insurers.

sodapop Thu 18-Oct-18 17:22:59

There is a lot of scaremongering going on with expat publications in France, and possibly other countries. As far as I understand reciprocity seems to be needed.

JenniferEccles Thu 18-Oct-18 17:06:35

If European countries are as inept as we are at getting rid of illegal immigrants here, then I think the British ex-pats have nothing to worry about.

I'm reminded of the recent case of a Somali gang rapist who was (amazingly) being deported and on a plane to Turkey, when some idiots on board caused such a scene demanding he be released, that he was taken off the plane.

We are now stuck with this vile creature while his lawyers no doubt are preparing a case on his behalf.

JackyB Thu 18-Oct-18 16:20:47

As a Brit living in Germany I am, indeed, in the process of applying for German nationality. As are many others who are in the same situation here. This was recommended by one of the Cabinet Ministers.

After what has been said about European driving licences, though, I am wondering if mine will become invalid. It was acquired in 1976 simply by being translated . I didn't do a test.

alex57currie Thu 18-Oct-18 16:03:43

TM is on the BBC atm. She's looking decidedly rattled. Snapping at journalists asking probing questions.

Having said that, I admire her ability to keep her head. I'd be stomping of the podium throwing all my toys out the proverbial pram grin

Nonnie Thu 18-Oct-18 15:37:06

Jura I think you may be wrong about not being able to insure if you have a foreign driving licence, we insured our son who has an EU licence although we did have to call the insurance company as their documentation wasn't clear. It included the EU as we were in the EU.

silverlining48 Thu 18-Oct-18 15:24:18

Our expat dd has claimed citizenship of her adopted european country (not France) whilst retaining her British citizenship as well. I understand it’s something which many are doing.

crystaltipps Thu 18-Oct-18 15:18:47

LemonWell our government isn’t doing that well in the popularity stakes either so I wouldn’t claim any high ground there. I’m not sure making the country worse off and more divided is anything to boast about. Taking 2 years to get nowhere isn’t great government. The EU citizen member of my family( lived here for 25+ years, works in the NHS) , is not reassured by the mixed messages coming from the government, will she have to “register” and account for every movement? remember Windrush still rumbling on.

MawBroon Thu 18-Oct-18 15:09:46

Or do you imagine that because I am widowed I have nothing more to fill my day than follow your meanderings ?
Below the belt!

MawBroon Thu 18-Oct-18 15:04:05

Paw’s sisters.

MawBroon Thu 18-Oct-18 15:03:07

What do I do with my day*Jura*?
Well this morning I was at my acupuncturist until 12, then a lovely long phone call from DD just back from a business trip to China, then caught up with GN.
Then lunch.
Now taking Hattie for a walk and meeting a friend for coffee.
Tomorrow? “Oceania” at the RA,after lunch with Paw sisters there.
Don’t flatter yourself!

jura2 Thu 18-Oct-18 14:40:57

Ah yes, but what would you do with your day, Maw, if you could not spend it having a go, or two, or more - at people, and me in particular, bordering on stalking.

I am glad I provide such entertainment for you.

MawBroon Thu 18-Oct-18 14:33:17

One has to be so careful about one’s sources.

jura2 Thu 18-Oct-18 14:30:19

It is not easy to check sources- when statements and facts keep changing. I got the OP from this article- which was NOT written by myself, I can assure you.

www.metro.news/france-will-demand-tourist-visas-and-make-ex-pats-illegal-if-theres-no-deal/1273199/

Welshwife Thu 18-Oct-18 14:23:41

There was an initial report which said exactly what Jura reported - the other one surfaced subsequently.