If UK votes to leave EU

What will be the affect if UK votes to leave EU?

If the Referendum result is to leave the EU, there will likely be a ‘settlement’ period of at least 2 years.  During this time, Britain and the EU will look at reciprocal arrangements, such as we now enjoy.  If however  Britain denies certain privileges to EU citizens wishing to live in the UK, then those privileges will almost certainly be withdrawn from the ex-pats.

Priveleges affected could be:

The loss of ex-pats’ right to freedom of movement within the EU.

We may be required to have a visa/work-visa to visit/work in mainland Europe.

The European Health Insurance Card would probably no longer be valid – for UK visitors as well!. Health provision under E120 (or S1) rules, could be withdrawn.

Our British state pensions could be frozen, as they are already in many other non-EU countries, such as Australia Canada, South Africa, etc. The law allows freezing of ex-pat pensions, unless reciprocal arrangements are in place. for financial reasons some could be forced to move back to the UK which already has limited housing stock and problems with the NHS. An alternative could be to take local citizenship. Are your language skills good enough for that?

We would probably lose entitlement to UK benefits such as Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, PIPs, etc.

Winter fuel allowance has already been withdrawn in namely Portugal,  France, Spain.

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Home and Living

10 budget patio ideas for beginners in landscaping

Creating an inviting outdoor space doesn’t have to break the bank. With a bit of creativity and some elbow grease, you can transform your backyard into a relaxing retreat. Whether you’re looking to build a brand-new area or revamp an existing one, these budget-friendly patio ideas will inspire you to create a stylish and functional…
Read More
Home and Living

Top 5 Irrigation System Providers in the UK

A thriving allotment or kitchen garden is the pride of all plant lovers and allotment growers. However, maintaining an allotment or garden is not for the faint of heart. You need to put in a lot of effort, from mulching and composting to regular watering and weeding. Apart from watering, everything else needs to be…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage affordability on course for 2021 levels

Mortgage affordability could be on course to return to its most manageable level in almost five years, according to exclusive new analysis from INTEREST by Moneyfacts, as easing rates and rising incomes restore some breathing space for borrowers. The research shows that average mortgage payments, which peaked at close to half of gross monthly income…
Read More
Breaking News

City house prices soar

The latest research from Property DriveBuy reveals that house prices in UK cities are significantly outperforming both coastal and countryside locations, rising by an average of 3.4% over the past year, well ahead of the wider UK market which has seen growth of 2.5%. And while countryside homes have also seen a price increase, the…
Read More
Breaking News

Buyers return to housing market

2026 starts in line with 2024 with buyer demand 9% down on last year’s strong start Buyers are returning to the housing market at the start of 2026 as confidence improves and mortgage rates fall, but a growing number of homes for sale is giving buyers more choice and reshaping market conditions, according to Zoopla’s…
Read More
Breaking News

How will tenants be affected by the incoming Renters’ Rights Act?

On 28th October 2025, the Renters’ Rights Bill was passed into law, and it is now the Renters’ Rights Act. Changes to legislation resulting from this new Act will take effect from May 2026. This will affect landlords and how they let out their property, and it is worthwhile being aware of how it affects…
Read More