EU Brexit Chief Proposes Associate EU Citizenship For Brit Expats

EU minister urges UK to treat British expats in Europe with more compassion.

During a visit to the UK at the end of last week, EU Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt expressed his concern over the government’s treatment of EU expats living and working in Britain as well as UK expats in Europe. He also made it clear he is calling for improved rights for all British expats in European Union member states, including the right to free movement for those resident in the EU before the end of this year’s transition period.

As part of a discussion on the EU Parliament’s citizens’ rights resolution with the UK’s Steve Barclay, Verhofstadt said several adjustments by the UK Parliament plus uprated adjustments in several EU countries would end the fears of both UK and EU expats. Verhofstadt has already proposed a form of ‘associate EU citizenship’ for British expats caught up in the Brexit chaos. According to a recent report, MEPs are calling for certain changes to be made before the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement is ratified in two weeks’ time.

One essential issue which needs change is that EU citizens must at present apply to stay in Britain rather than just registering their rights, and another important impediment is that they’ll not be given ID cards proving their rights to stay. Also, a recent Home Office announcement seems to have stated those who don’t register in time will be subject to deportation. As regards Brits in the EU, local election voting rights and other improvements need to be discussed and agreed.