30/10/18: Meeting of EuroCitizens at the Interior Ministry
On Tuesday 30 October three members of EuroCitizens, an association belonging to the coalition British in Europe, met Manuel Alhama, Subdirector General of International Relations, Immigration and Foreigners, plus a team of other civil servants at the Interior Ministry. We received news which will help to reassure the 300,000 Britons in Spain. Señor Alhama explained the principle of reciprocity in the treatment of Spaniards in the UK and Britons here, but stressed that the Spanish government will respect the rights of the people affected and avoid unnecessary delays and complications.
The first topic covered was the new process for registration and documentation, under the stipulations of the Withdrawal Treaty, of British Citizens in Spain after 29 March 2019, the date set for the UK to leave the EU. The ministries of the Interior and of Labour, Migration and Social Security are working on an action plan to carry out the change of status of Britons from European Citizens to third-country nationals. Along these lines, amonst other measures, the necessary resources have been calculated, especially in those areas with large British populations such as Levante and Eastern Andalusia, so that the administration can be prepared as soon as possible. Britons who are already resident will have to apply for an identity card for foreigners (TIE) without having to provide any more documentation. This ID card will include information about the special status of the holder as a protected person under the Withdrawal Agreement. The Spanish government will announce full details of these administrative changes after the Withdrawal Agreement has been signed.
Regarding political rights, negotiations between the UK and Spain have advanced at a political level, but the drafting and signing of an international treaty remain to be done. This reciprocal agreement would give the right to vote in local elections to both Spaniards in the UK and Britons in Spain. Given sufficient political will, this could be confirmed before the next local elections in Spain in May 2019. It seems unlikely for the right to stand as a candidate to be included by that date, but the Electoral Commission has announced that legally resident Britons will remain on electoral lists until 30 March next year.
Finally, a no-deal scenario was briefly discussed. This would open a new phase in preparations for the Spanish government and some powers, such as the issuing or not of Schengen visas, would belong to the EU whereas others like the coordination of healthcare and social security would be national competencies.
EuroCitizens would like to thank Señor Alhama and the other officials present for their awareness of the anxiety and uncertainty affecting citizens, both Spanish and British. Our next step as a group will be to request a meeting with the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Social Security.
