While the UK government currently has no official plans to rejoin the EU, focusing instead on a "reset" for closer alignment on specific issues like trade and security, there's growing public support for rejoining, with Labour signalling openness to closer ties if in the national interest, though Prime Minister Keir Starmer states rejoining won't happen in his lifetime. The debate centers on balancing Brexit's "take back control" mandate with economic benefits, as the UK seeks smoother relations with its European neighbors.
Process. Potential enlargement of the European Union is governed by Article 49 of the Maastricht Treaty. If the UK applied to rejoin the EU, it would need to apply and have its application terms supported unanimously by the EU member states.
The EU facilitates global trade providing the UK with privileged access to over 50 markets outside of the EU through trade deals. a 500 million person market, the clout of the EU enables the UK to secure more and higher quality trade deals than it may be able to if negotiating alone.
If you're from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, you might be able to get secondary NHS healthcare for free, depending on your immigration status. If you're an Irish citizen, you can get free NHS healthcare when you start living in the UK. The EEA includes EU countries and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Yes, you can still retire in Spain after Brexit, but you'll need to apply for a visa and meet financial requirements. As a British retiree, you're now considered a non-EU national, meaning you must secure a residency permit and follow specific legal obligations for long-term stays in Spain.
How long can you stay in Spain if you own a property?
Owning property in Spain does not automatically grant residency or the right to stay longer than the standard 90 days in any 180-day Schengen period for non-EU citizens; you need a separate residence visa, like the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, or an Employment Visa, to live in Spain long-term, as the Golden Visa (property investment route) ended in April 2025. EU citizens need to register for residency after 90 days, while non-EU citizens must apply for a long-term permit or visa to stay beyond the 90/180-day limit, with property ownership being a factor in some visa applications but not a standalone right to residency.
The economic effects of Brexit were a major area of debate during and after the referendum on UK membership of the European Union. The majority of economists believe that Brexit has harmed the UK's economy and reduced its real per capita income in the long term, and the referendum itself damaged the economy.
The EU Exit Index, which measures the risk of member states leaving the EU, shows that the UK was a clear outlier and no other state is likely to leave the EU in the foreseeable future.
What is the easiest EU country to move to from the UK?
Portugal: a safe country with a lower cost of living, a mild climate, and a strong passport. Portugal is a peaceful country with a high quality of life. It is one of the oldest nations in Europe, known for its history, culture, cuisine, and stunning beaches, and one of the easiest countries to move to from the UK.
However, the following European countries are neither EU members nor official candidates: Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Russia, Norway, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Armenia— which began its internal accession-approval process in early 2025—along with Vatican City, Andorra, and San Marino.
If you want to stay longer than 90 days, Spain offers several visa options, such as the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, and Work Permits, depending on your circumstances. While owning property in Spain does not exempt you from the 90-day rule, securing a residence permit can provide a more permanent solution.
Longer answer: Yes – through country-specific residency permits. You no longer hold EU citizenship, since EU citizenship is attached to whether any given country is an EU Member State. You can still visit easily without getting a residency permit, as UK citizens retain visa-free access to most European countries.
What is the easiest EU country to get permanent residency?
The easiest country for obtaining a residence permit in Europe is Portugal. Whether you're retired, financially independent, starting a business, or looking to invest, there's a visa for you: a D7 visa for financially independent persons, a Digital Nomad Visa, and the Golden Visa for investors.
How much money do I need in the bank to retire to Spain?
Below, we'll go over some of the nitty-gritty of retiring in Spain, including visa options, healthcare quality, tax obligations, and more. Let's get started! The retirement visa income requirement remains €28,800 (~$31,050) annually, with an extra €7,200 (~$7,763) per dependent.
The UK's departure from the EU has brought about many challenges for British citizens living in Spain. The new residency rules, uncertainty around healthcare, tightening financial situations, and job market difficulties are just a few of the problems they face.
What is the easiest country to retire to from the UK?
The easiest countries for UK retirees often include Portugal, Spain, and Greece due to their warm climates, lower cost of living, established expat communities, and straightforward residency options like Portugal's D7 Visa or Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa, offering good healthcare access and simple driving license exchange, with Portugal frequently cited as a top choice for its affordability and lifestyle. Other strong contenders are Malta, with favourable tax, and Costa Rica, offering low costs and no foreign pension tax.
Do asylum seekers get free prescriptions in the UK?
If you receive Asylum Support from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), you're entitled to an HC2 certificate. This entitles you to: free NHS prescriptions. free NHS dental treatment.
Norway. The Norwegian universal healthcare system stands out among countries that have free healthcare because of low wait times, emphasis on patient outcomes, and quality of services. Norway's healthcare system is funded through taxation and social security contributions and is available to all residents.
How long do you have to live in the UK to get benefits?
You'll usually need to show you've been in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for 1 to 3 months - this is called an 'appreciable period of time'.
