Jason Moore20/06/2016 00:00
TW
3

If Britain leaves the European Union this week, I would urge the British government to move swiftly to protect the rights of thousands of Britons living in Spain and other parts of Europe. If Britain votes to leave on Thursday then up to 250,000 Britons here will be in limbo. It must be remembered that our "green residence certificate" is stamped with the words European Union. All our documents have the words EU listed somewhere.

I sincerely believe that both the Spanish and British government will do everything in their power to ensure that we do not lose any of our rights. But it must be remembered that Spain does not have to offer British citizens European Union status when Britain is no longer in the European Union. The plight of expat Britons has been easily forgotten by both sides of the debate. We have not received reassurances from anyone ... just some good old-fashioned scaremongering.

I am concerned because an exit from the European Union will mean that our lives in Spain could change dramatically. Those in work may have to get a work permit - no easy matter - and free medical cover could be a think of the past. I would say to the British government and the "Leave camp" that we are British citizens who will be on the frontline of any possible exit. Once again we have been quietly forgotten and left to worry about our future. This is a very sad state of affairs. The rights of expats need to be protected.