Spanish Minister Tells British Expats they are More than Welcome to Stay in Spain

No one fully knows yet, but Spain needs the brits

and will be allowed to stay in Spain

Spanish Minister Tells British Expats they are More than Welcome to Stay in Spain

It seems like the fearmongering headlines about Brexit and the potential fallout have all but vanished recently, but there are still many people who are left with unanswered questions and a lot of worrying “what if?” questions. 

While a complete 100% answer about what Brexit means for EUcitizens and Brits alike, the politicians who are going to be involved in those decisions are saying positive things at the very least.

This includes Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis, who told The Andrew Marr Show on BBC1 that even if the UK is unable to secure a deal on Brexit when leaving the EU, the British people in Spain would be allowed to remain where they are.

Brussels and the British government have been locked in an impasse that is a reflection of the political problems the two have been dealing with since the result of the referendum last summer. The “divorce” negotiations are so complex and complicated that there has yet to be a single cause that British PM Theresa May appears to be protecting above all others. Free trade appears to be important, but there are problems with that. This is also the case with free movement of people, which is only becoming a more heated discussion with immigration fears.

Prime Minister May has at least made some concessions for EU citizens living in the UK and says their situation won’t change, and these words were mirrored by Dastis when he said that he hopes there will be a deal and that – should no deal arise – the Spanish government will endeavour to ensure the lives of British people living there are not disrupted.

Dastis added that there is a very close social and economic relationship between Spain and Britain. Spain welcomes over 17 million Brits a year and a lot of them go to the country to live and retire, and Spain wants to continue this relationship as much as they can.

Spain has become the popular choice for Brits living in theEU. The official statistics from the UK show there are 308,805 Brits currently living in Spain, but the real number is estimated to be at least twice this. Around a third of the Brits living in Spain are over 65 years old according to this same source, and that the proportion of retirement-age expats is growing.

Three Great Reasons Spain Should Welcome September

Three Great Reasons Spain Should Welcome September

If you’re British or Irish then you likely remember the feeling of dread that came with September; schools opened back up and it was the official end of all the fun and games of the sumer.

September in Southern Spain is one of the nicest months

Back in Blighty September means that the sky turns grey, the wind whips up, the thermometer goes down, and millions of people head back to school and work with the memories of summers spent under the sun washed away by the autumn rain that pours down.

As such you aren’t likely to feel much sympathy for those who live along the Costa del Sol who will be happy the summer is ending as it means the tourists are going home, including those taking part in Operación Retorno, and the roads return back to normal.

The tradition of Operación Retorno, when northern Spaniards head back home, doesn’t make a lot of sense when you think about it though. It’s true that they need to head home for school and work but it’s also true that September is one of the best times to see the Costa Del Sol.

Just like a beach with rockpools will only show its true beauty after the tide goes out, the Costa del Sol comes to life during September. The so-called “shoulder months” of the summer, which are May and September, are deeply enjoyed by many locals and it’s not hard to see why.

1.      The Temperature Goes Down

July and August are the hottest months in Spain and it’s not that unusual for temperatures to reach above 40 Celsius during this time. While the temperature doesn’t nosedive in September it still goes down to a more forgiving 30 Celsius which makes all the wonder of the area that much more pleasant.

2.      Queues Shrink

No matter what it is you’re trying to do; from ordering a drink, to shopping, to just validating your parking, everything is more accessible in September. September presents a perfectly balanced atmosphere. While it’s no fun to be with too many people it can be just as bad to have no people around at all. There is still the feeling of summer in the air but moving in and around the area becomes much easier.

3.      Spirits are Lifted

Summer might be a fun and happy time along the Costa del Sol, but you only really get to have fun and relax after you’ve created some space for yourself on the beach on the Costa del Sol or escaped into one of the smaller and quieter resorts of the south. Everyone is a lot more temperamental during the summer months because of a mixture of heat, crowds and confusion. It throws everyone’s moods out of whack. Things slow down after September arrives though and everyone is just that little bit brighter and happier because of it.