Spain rejects 2,000 residency applications after Brexit – these are the most common reasons

Spain rejects 2,000 residency applications after Brexit – these are the most common reasons

Many Britons wish to retire in the Mediterranean country, looking for sun, warm weather and delicious food. This year, however, many UK nationals who applied for Spanish residency under the Withdrawal Agreement had their applications rejected. Many even received notices saying they had to leave the country within 15 days or they could be classified as illegal. Why? According to recent data by the EU’s Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights, Spanish authorities received 168,700 applications for residency in September 2021. Out of these, 141,700 have now been concluded. According to the report, 81,200 applications were approved for permanent residence, meaning it was granted to those Britons who had been living in Spain […]

Residency in Spain for UK nationals: Can a lawyer fix application problems and speed up the process?

Residency in Spain for UK nationals: Can a lawyer fix application problems and speed up the process?

Diego Echavarria of Fairway Lawyers in Marbella has recently been interviewed by The Local Spain after several of their British readers have contacted them to say they’re having problems getting their residency in Spain, and questioning why there are so many delays. The reporter spoke to several lawyers to find out what most the common residency issues are, how to correct them and why getting legal help might speed up the process. Gerard Martínez from Balcells Group in Barcelona explained to The Local that the vast majority of residency problems they are seeing now involve foreigners not knowing the best path to residency and not being sure about what their options are. Most […]

The UK’s departure from the European Union, the procedure and your rights in Spain under the Withdrawal Agreement

The UK’s departure from the European Union, the procedure and your rights in Spain under the Withdrawal Agreement

Brexit is the name given to the process of departure of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union. The UK’s exit from the EU took place on 31 January 2020 and the terms of the departure are defined in the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU negotiated by both parties. The Withdrawal Agreement entered into force on 1 February 2020 and provides for an orderly departure of the UK from the EU. To this end, the Withdrawal Agreement foresees a transition or implementation period which expires on 31 December 2020. Residence rights are regulated in Title II of the […]

BREXIT: All you need to know… but were afraid to ask!

BREXIT: All you need to know… but were afraid to ask!

Back in January 2020 the EU Council and the United Kingdom signed and ratified the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, which contains the highlights regarding how the Brexit affects nationals of the parties who are living in the UK or in the EU territories. In general terms, the said agreement laid down a transition period whereby the things shall basically stay as they are, in order to enable people to make decisions and take measures on time. That is, the transition period buys time in order for those affected (EU citizens who want to stay in the UK and UK nationals who want to stay in the EU) to get the paperwork […]

Spanish government launch new process for UK citizens who still have to register their residency in Spain

Spanish government launch new process for UK citizens who still have to register their residency in Spain

The UK’s exit from the EU took place on 31 January 2020 and the terms of the departure are defined in the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU negotiated by both parties. The Withdrawal Agreement entered into force on 1 February 2020 and provides for an orderly departure of the UK from the EU. To this end, the Withdrawal Agreement foresees a transition or implementation period which expires on 31 December 2020. Residence rights are regulated in Title II of the Withdrawal Agreement. It should be kept in mind that registration certificates and residence card to family members of a Union citizen obtained before the […]

VIDEO: British Ambassador and Spain’s Secretary of State for Migrations send a joint message to UK nationals in Spain

VIDEO: British Ambassador and Spain’s Secretary of State for Migrations send a joint message to UK nationals in Spain

One week on from the introduction of a new residency document for UK nationals protected by the Withdrawal Agreement and some changes to the application process, HMA Hugh Elliott and Secretaria de Estado de Migraciones (Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones) Hana Jalloul recorded a joint message for UK nationals living in Spain. The Ambassador and Minister acknowledged the many questions from UK nationals about the new system and sought to provide clarity and reassurance. They were clear that the green residency certificate (whether A4 or credit card-sized) remains valid proof of residency status and rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, even after the end of the transition period. Speaking […]