Despite a great deal of hard work by the British Embassy in Madrid and the British government, it would appear that the Spanish have approached negotiations in first gear while the British Embassy wanted to have cleared the finish line before the end of July, but it appears time is running out to meet the deadline.
Today is the last Friday before the big August summer break in Spain and while the embassy has a team ready to continue negotiations through August, it remains the same if the Spanish are prepared to do the same and forego their summer break in order to help British residents, many of which are in a very difficult situation being unable to drive.
The British Ambassador, Hugh Elliott, who has made it clear that resolving the driving licence issue was a top propriety, recently said: “It remains our aspiration to agree the remaining parts as soon as possible.”
The important paperwork from Spain, which was outstanding, arrived on the morning of July 22 and the UK team has been reviewing it as quickly as it can. Once everything is finalised, the agreement will then need legal and political approvals.
“We are committed to get this through the UK and Spanish systems quickly, however, as we’ve said before, we cannot make any guarantees.
“We have sought assurances from the Spanish Government that we can continue negotiating in August if needs be. On the UK side, we have a full team available to cover this negotiation over the summer because it is a top priority for us.
“This week we have agreed the main text – which is positive news. We now need to agree the annexes before the whole package can go forward for final legal and political approvals,” but is that going to happen during August? If not, many Britons will be parked up until September at the earliest.
That said, a few working hours remain today.
6 comments
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Morgan WilliamsThey were conned into voting brexit by johnson, farage etc but won't admit they were naive and wrong. Being conned by two spivs like that must be embarrassing. Where are the advantages to brexit, there must be some? Just one? Please tell me. It's painful to watch the unfolding ****show.
Lucy hooperI suspect that for many, they were never legally resident in the first place. Eternal tourists. And naturally would prefer to remain that way. All of the benefits with none of the burdens. After all, they were promised "Cake and eat it". Where's the cake? Gimme the cake. If you don't, I'll leave! And then you'll be sorry! Gimme the cake.
Sorry but we all had plenty of time and notice this was going to happen I don't understand why so many people didn't change their licence in time. It's not like you didn't know it was coming
john williamsErm, you may not be aware of it, but it's the same in the UK. Within 6 months of establishing residency, you need to get a UK licence. And that's what people do. Also, you do have different driving laws in the uk, and drive on the wrong side of the road. A simple exchange seems a bit lax anyway. Oh, and by the way, bad driving has nothing to do with nationality. They aren't bad drivers just because they're "foreigners". Tempest in a teapot. Get a licence. Like everybody else.
Most of the Brits I know without a licence are just driving as before. Other friends have never taken a test anywhere in the world. Why doesn't Britain just reciprocate? Tell all Spaniards living in the UK that, as of tomorrow, they can't drive on a Spanish licence? We are just so wet! The alternative is, of course, to take a Spanish driving test. Having done so I can tell you it is a nightmare. Anything you thought you knew - after over 50 years in my case - is useless. What's weird, and I've driven in more than 30 other countries, is that despite having the toughest test imaginable the Spanish are the worst drivers in Europe. Indicators? What are they for? Roundabouts with two lanes - why? Saying thank you for any help - forget it.
The main problem is that without a driving licence, you can't (legally) drive. So, one solution would be to get one. Another solution of course, is to wait until the "breakthrough" when they tell you you'll need to get a driving licence in order to legally drive.