Statement by HMA Simon Manley, British Ambassador to Spain, on the outcome of the referendum

Statement by HMA Simon Manley, British Ambassador to Spain, on the outcome of the referendum

Simon Manley, British Ambassador to Spain, today issued a statement to the English-language media in Spain which serves British nationals living in the country.

He said:

“I am very aware from the questions that we have been getting that some Britons living in Spain are uncertain about what the Referendum result means for them.

“As the Prime Minister has said, there is no immediate change. You still have exactly the same rights. You can still live and work here, travel back and forth in the same way, and access Spanish healthcare and other public services just as before.

“There is no change to your residency status, nor any need for visas for travel to other EU countries, and you don’t need to change your passport. Your pension rights continue.

“Leaving the EU will be a gradual process. The Prime Minister will continue to do his job for the next three months. The UK will only begin negotiations with the European Union after we have a new Prime Minister in October.

“He or she will have to decide when to start the process of leaving the EU. The negotiations could take two years or more and until they are concluded, the UK remains a full member of the European Union.”

.@SimonManleyFCO explains what the outcome of the Referendum means for British expats in Spain pic.twitter.com/U7lZe287Ff

— UK in Spain (@ukinspain) 24 June 2016

Press Office

British Embassy Madrid