Spain's 'Little Britain' Braces For Brexit (Orihuela Costa)

[Carl]

This article was produced by the international news agency AFP. I saw it on France24 last week, but has been reproduced by other media outlets since, with this particular link to a Qatar news organisation that has put it own their website today.

https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/artic ... for-Brexit

Always disappointing to read these type of articles and how it portrays the area.

I do sometimes wonder whether people regret what they tell journalists once they see their quotes published, as it shows an element of naivety about their surroundings in which they live - concerns about property prices declining because of lack of Brits, property possibly worth less now then when it was bought 17 years ago or all my clients are Brits.

The only person who seems to be happy is the man who runs a property website, but then he has just got worldwide marketing for his business for free.

[Francisco]

...it is just part of the whole Brexit scenario....those for Remain find it too easy with their cheap shots and pessimistic forecasts.
If they are proved right, they can have the great satisfaction of crowing "we told you so!!"...
If they are proved wrong....Silence,...abject Silence...but will partake of the rewards with averted downcast eyes.

So, Phrophets or Prats...I care not...We gain nothing by fearing to make the attempt, and cursed will be the naysayers when we succeed!

[Carl]

Too true Francisco.

What I think this article also shows is some Brits living or working here still feel that they need to be dependent on their fellow nationals for their quality of life. Property prices are not soley driven by Brits buying and selling, and if people are concerned their business will suffer because all their customers are Brits then they need to integrate more with other nationalities.

[Brandyboy]

We moved here in 1998 and took early retirement and have no regrets whatsoever.
We set up a legal business in property management because saw a niche in the market. Although I have now properly retired, my wife still works seven days a week at the age of nearly 70. !!
We are fully legal in all aspects of living here and Brexit hasn`t changed our lives one iota, whether the UK had stayed in or left.

The vast majority of our clients are Scandinavian and have been for many years

[Graham Knight]

I totally agree JamesB.
I haven't been here quite as long as yourself ( approaching 20 years, at present ), but have been 100% legal in that time , having worked and payed autonomo.
Like you , I don't see much of a change for us .
It's the people ( and there are many of them ), who live under the radar , that should be worried now .

[Brandyboy]

Well Graham, you know as well as I do that Spain is run on the black economy.

Over the years that we lived here we have dealt with many ' tradesmen' .. from car servicing, repairs , spraying etc, to extensions, building work, air con installlation, for ourselves and our clients, using ' tradesmen ' of all nationalities.
The vast majority have been cash in hand and are friends of ours. Sometimes we don`t even get a receipt.
A lot of our friends are in the same situation and we even have some friends in the Guardia who do the same.
Of course when we deal with a bona fide Spanish / English S.L. company receipts and guarantees are always issued.

[Graham Knight]

I may be wrong about this- but doesnt Spain have the second largest "black" economy in Europe . Second only to Greece , JamesB ?

[Francisco]

..and do you think there are some fellow Brits on disability and housing benefits, over in Spain, skipping about like spring chickens and renting out their UK property?
I know of one who spends most of the day in bars, does occasional painting jobs, but rides everywhere on a disability scooter.
.....Until he reaches his favourite watering hole, where I have seen him bound up two flights of stairs to get to his pint and fags!

...and do you think they voted Remain?

[Graham Knight]

Definately Francisco..no doubt about that.

[Eden]

Hello, I have been coming and going from Spain for many a year now, mostly on business but several times to recover from illness. We will probably become permanent residents this year. We got our property in the year 2000 and have visited frequently since then and for quite long periods. I soon became aware of goings-on regarding people outstaying their legal staying time and it seemed to be ignored by the authorities, will this attitude continue when Brexit takes hold, who knows? A lot of people seem to think that "visiting rules" have changed and that freedom of movement meant they could go where they wanted and stay as long as they wanted. Its always been the 90-day rule https://tinyurl.com/tub4ys7. I am fairly hopeful that this will affect the amount of UK vehicles that seem to be here permanently and illegally. I don't want to get in conversation over Brexit, but personally I voted thinking about the future of the UK only and not for my personal benefit, likes or dislikes and accepting whatever result. Maybe that that "Little Britain" tag will disappear over the coming years, Time will tell.