Brexit (AKA Britain’s exit from the EU) is a looming possibility; Thursday June 23rd’s marks the referendum whereby Britain will decide if its future lies inside the EU or completely separate from it. But what impact could Brexit have on Britains ex-pats?
With some polls putting ‘leave the EU’ in the lead, the 2 million Britain’s currently living abroad along with a further one million holiday home owners are considering what the potential ‘Brexit’ would mean for them…
A recent survey by overseas property media brand ‘A Place in the Sun’ revealed that a huge 90 percent of UK overseas property owners are unsure as to how a vote in favour of leaving the EU would affect them and one in four are concerned.
It is feared that effectively ‘snubbing’ the EU could negatively affect UK citizens living abroad or those looking to buy a place in the sun for holidays; increasing taxes, higher mortgage rates and visa requirements are all concerns for Brits abroad.
However, according to Richard Way, editor at OverseasGuidesCompany.com, they needn’t worry:
“British expats, including pensioners who receive a UK income, provide a massive contribution to the local economies of their chosen countries and generate considerable tax revenue”
A spokesperson for the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) added “A decision for the UK to leave the EU would represent a material shift in our political, economic and social lives. So any referendum on the issue risks generating financial market uncertainties, but the UK authorities are well-placed to mitigate these.”
Taxes
The tax situation will likely remain the same; there are already bilateral tax agreements in place between the UK and many EU countries which have nothing whatsoever to do with the EU, and therefore won’t change even if Brexit goes ahead.
Furthermore, local property tax is generally based on how low the owner stays in the property rather than if they are from that member state or not; residence is the tax deciding factor, not citizenship.
Mortgage Rates
Mortgage Rates in the EU are at a record low level, and potential buyers are able to borrow a large proportion of the asking price.
After Brexit however, a Brit with a less appealing mortgage profile who is finding it difficult to meet the mortgage criteria is less likely to be awarded a mortgage; if they were awarded one then interest rates would likely be higher and the buyer would have to produce a larger deposit.
However, with Brits making up such a large majority of property buyers abroad, it’s unlikely the banks would want to mess around with such lucrative demand. Hence, even if Britain was to leave the EU, it would be easier for a Brit to get a mortgage abroad than someone from say, Ukraine.
A spokesperson from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) commented “As a relatively small, open economy and a major financial centre, the UK has, and will continue to have, close links with global economies, including those within the EU. There is therefore no simple answer to the question of how Brexit would affect our housing and mortgage market, and CML has no plans to commission or publish any studies as to possible market impacts.”
Visas
Photo credit: Ascannio/Shutterstock
If Brexit becomes a reality – expectantly – expats will have to apply for a visa to live, work or retire to any country in the European Union.
For Brits planning to move to the EU, start-up companies or even visit for holidays, visa requirements will be in place – meaning the whole process will be more complicated; last minute holidays to Spain will be a thing of the past!
There will also be restrictions on applying for long term residency abroad and the ability to move money around will be affected.
For British expats already living abroad, it is yet to be confirmed how visas for them would be approached. It is thought that they will have a certain amount of time in which to apply and be granted a visa to continue living in that country.
One thing’s for certain, if Brexit is to go ahead, British expats and potential expats face months or even years of uncertainty.
Feature image credit: Delpixel/Shutterstock
