The EU Commission said the system of security checks is necessary to prevent terrorists entering the open-borders area, but UK Brexit critics warned it is further evidence of the hidden cost of quitting the Union. Under the system, countries from outside the EU which do not require a full visa to travel to the bloc, will now pay a five Euro fee and must complete an online form. The EU’s security commissioner has attempted to justify the charge by saying that it is an anti-terrorism measure. What is not clear is what effect this will have on ex-pats travelling back and forth to the UK.
MPs have latched on to the potential charge as another hidden cost of Brexit and an example of how Brits could be disadvantaged compared to other EU residents. Citing the move as a hidden tax and extra paperwork adding to the impact of the poor exchange rate on British travellers. The proposals were to be discussed last Friday and the Home Secretary is seeking clarity on how Brits can continue to enjoy free and easy travel within the EU.
This appears to be another piece of evidence of the negative effect of leaving the EU for UK people in Spain. The adverse exchange rate prompted by the Brexit vote is still causing hardship amongst ex-pats coupled with the appalling returns on savings.
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As Brexit negotiations continue, the freedom of movement that expats in Europe will be entitled to is still unclear.
France is the world’s most visited country, with over 89 million tourists pouring in every year to sample the many attractions it has to offer. Its culture is known and revered around the globe: couture fashion houses, the art of the impressionists, winemaking and of course, French cuisine. Paris, the capital city, sees over 17 million visitors yearly, who come to take in the sights of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. But tourism isn’t the only thing that France does well; it also regularly scores highly in global polls for quality of the healthcare system.