One of the hot-button issues that dominated the debate prior to the Brexit vote and after is the rights of British citizens living abroad in European countries. Many ex-pats expressed the fear that they might be required to go through lengthy application processes to secure a new status within the country or worse, leave their new home.
Whilst the two sides have yet to reach a deal, any British citizens living in Spain or considering making the move before the UK leaves the European Union can breathe a sigh of relief, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Spain, Alfonso Dastis sought to reassure more than 300,000 Britons living in Spain.
"I do hope that there will be a deal," the minister said.
"If there is no deal we will make sure that the lives of ordinary people who are in Spain, the UK people, is not disrupted.
"As you know, the relationship between the UK and Spain is a very close one in terms of economic relations and also social exchanges.
"Over 17 million Brits come to Spain every year and many of them live here or retire here and we want to keep it that way as much as possible."
Citizens’ rights have been a constant matter of debate for both sides of Brexit, with European countries seeking assurances that their citizens will be allowed to continue living and working in the UK. There are reports that a deal is close, with Prime Minister Theresa May saying the two sides were "in touching distance" of finding an agreement”.
