Support for UK nationals in Spain through major information campaign and one-to-one assistance
• The UK Government’s Foreign Office has launched a vital information campaign targeting more than one million UK nationals across Europe, with support and advice on steps to protect their rights after the Brexit transition period ends on 31st December.
• The Foreign Office also offers assistance to those UK nationals who may struggle to complete residency applications through £3million support fund.
• British Embassy in Madrid continues to run a range of activities to reach UK nationals including digital Q & A sessions and videos.
Information Campaign
UK nationals living in Spain will receive information about specific actions they need to take to keep their rights and access to services in Spain, including around residency, healthcare, driving licences and passports.
The campaign will use multiple channels – including Facebook, digital media and newspaper and radio advertising – urging people to take necessary action to protect their rights so that they can continue living, working and travelling in Europe after the transition period. This builds on the work the British Embassy and Consulates have already been doing to support UK nationals in Spain.
Hugh Elliott, British Ambassador to Spain is one of several British Ambassadors from across Europe, who is featured in a video encouraging UK nationals to take action.
UK Nationals Support Fund
Following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, three organisations in Spain have received funding to provide practical support to at-risk UK nationals to complete their residency applications in Spain and secure their rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement:
Age in Spain, Babelia and Organización Internacional para las Migraciones (IOM) are each receiving government funding to support those who need additional help to complete the paperwork required for residency applications. This may include pensioners, people with disabilities, those living in remote areas or who have mobility difficulties and those who require help with language translation or interpretation.
British Ambassador Hugh Elliott welcomed the initiative: “Supporting UK nationals is one of our highest priorities and the assistance available through this fund builds on the support that we are already providing at the British Embassy and through our network of consulates. We are delighted that this project will help the most vulnerable UK nationals get the support they need to protect their residency rights and continue to live safely here in Spain. UK nationals should visit our ‘Living in Guides’ on gov.uk where they can find more information on the steps they need to take and how to access support.”
This project is funded by the UK Government as part of the UK National Support Fund (UKNSF), which has made available a total of £3 million for charities and organisations to provide practical support for UK nationals living in the EU. Residents in countries including Cyprus, France, Germany, Italy and Poland will also benefit.
The services available for people who need this additional support include:
• Answering questions about residency applications, such as the documents required and application procedure.
• Guiding individuals through the process, if necessary.
• Supporting people facing language barriers or difficulty accessing technology.
IOM will cover Andalusia, Madrid and Murcia
Babelia will cover Alicante.
Age in Spain will cover Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
There will also be information provided through the organisations’ websites and helplines, which will be available for people across Spain.
If you or someone you know is having difficulties completing their residency paperwork, you can contact them using the details below to discuss how they may be able to help you:
IOM
IOM Spain website
Email UKnationalsSP@iom.int
Helplines available Mon-Thurs, 3.30pm-5pm:
Andalusia +34 650 339 754
Madrid +34 699 581 855
Murcia: +34 648 642 543
Babelia
Babelia website
Email info@asociacionbabelia.org
Helpline available Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm
Tel +34 865 820 229
Babelia contact form
Age in Spain
Age in Spain website
Email residency@ageinspain.org
Helpline available Mon-Fri, 11am-1pm
Tel +34 932 209 741
Age in Spain contact form
Further information for UK nationals on residency is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/residency-requirements-in-spain
www.facebook.com/britsinspain