News & Insights

There have been new developments regarding Gibraltar in recent Brexit negotiations and they should give Gibraltarians hope that Spain will refrain from making any unnecessary demands to make things difficult for Britain.

Spain's foreign minister, Alfonso Dastis, has confirmed that Spain will not "jeopardise" any Brexit agreement in a bid to reclaim the Rock. "I won't make an agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom conditional on recovering sovereignty over Gibraltar," Dastis said, speaking to the Spanish newspaper ABC.

If you're an expat living in the EU, you've no doubt Brexit on the mind since the referendum in 2016, worrying about what the future may hold. So, it's reassuring that the British negotiating team managed to secure rights of residency for existing UK expats, as part of the Withdrawal Agreement. 

If you're a British expat who has lived outside the UK for at least 15 years, then current legislation denies you the ability to vote in parliamentary elections and referendums.

It's a policy that, suffice to say, has become very controversial given recent events. Long-term expats already feel that their fate was taken out of their hands when they were denied a vote in the EU referendum and this year's General Election, which was an election largely based around Brexit.

Moving overseas is exciting. The idea of making a fresh start in an exotic location is generally a cause for optimism and joyfulness, and for many becoming an expat will bring a positive outlook for the future.

But expatriates have a lot to consider before saying goodbye to their home countries: sorting out a new home, finding a school for any children who will be moving as well, and figuring out what's best for future finances (an international financial adviser can help you with this) are all sure to be top priorities.

One key concern Gibraltarians have about Brexit negotiations is sovereignty, and whether Britain will offer the Rock to Spain in order to get a better deal. With plans still being kept very vague by the British government at this early time, many fear it is a strong possibility.

But now the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, has reassured Gibraltarians that they will remain under British sovereignty.