2023-01-18 17:21:12
2023-01-12 21:58:32
2023-01-12 21:58:32
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The Guardian are asking about the experiences of Brits living in the EU, post Brexit. They have a form, which I have filled in. My answers are below:
Name*
Sarah
Where do you live? *
Portugal
Tell us a bit about yourself (e.g. age and what you do for a living)
I'm 49. I used to work in IT but now am in the holiday rentals business
Share your experience of life on the continent post-Brexit*
Not a lot has changed. Our old EU residency was no longer valid and we had to apply for new Article 50 residency cards. Portugal was very slow in issuing these and until we got them, we risked being deported if we travelled anywhere else in the Schengen area.
A lot of Brits in Portugal are now working towards Portuguese citizenship, to get our rights as EU citizens back. This involves having to learn Portuguese to an acceptable level and pass an exam, and the government/EU funded classes have become very popular. I passed my exam last year but need to wait a couple more years before I am eligible for citizenship.
Include as much detail as possible
How do you think you (and the UK) are now viewed? *
Honestly? It seems like the EU has more or less adjusted to the UK not being there and is just getting on with life. We don't think about you that often, and if we do it's usually about how the country has massively weakened itself. Brexit is very much a case "oh, they did that, bit strange, life goes on".
While it seems like the UK is still obsessed with the EU, the sad reality is that the EU barely thinks about the UK at all. You aren't that important. Sorry, guys.
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