So, that's it. We're no longer members of the EU.
Now we have to wait and see when we'll be kicked out. After about a year's negotiating, they'll probably decide that we'll be allowed to live in our own home for just a few months each year, although I must say, the main losers will be the French. We (and several hundred thousand other Brits) will simply spend our money elsewhere.
After 47 years here, and all our investment, it's now Goodbye Yerp!
I have a sister living in Cyprus who also is wondering what will happen.
ReplyDeleteIt's a big 'problem' for the older generation to have to come to terms with. Keep us well informed.
I've lived here in France for 47 years; I really don't want to go.
DeleteI feel so very sorry for your situation. It's going to be a period of uncertainty and frustration, just as the last few years have been.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to accept that the voices of others can change our own lives so much.
Bon courage.
Thank you Christina. Yes, it's been the uncertainty that has worried us the most. As you can understand, we voted to remain. Now, I suppose, we'll simply have to go with the flow. I'm sure it'll all work itself out somehow.
DeleteI so hope for you that everything will be OK.
ReplyDeleteWe can but wait and see. I noticed this morning that our area's top politician has said he's hopes we'll all stay. That, at least, gives us hope.
DeleteThe expats here seem to think they will be allowed to stay but now have to sort out health insurance, resident permits and other paper work which will tangle them up in red tape.
ReplyDeleteIt's all that red tape that I really don't like. Previously I've simply been just another resident; now I'm being made to feel like I'm not wanted.
DeleteThe Brexiters think life will be better, I have my doubts.You will pay a harder price, it seems normal to me.Why not ask for the French nationalty ?
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of Swedish in the family, and my youngest is thinking of becoming a Swede (his wife is Swedish). Me; I'm not sure I can be bothered. We have a perfectly nice home back in England, and will simply go with the flow. As for life after Brexit, I'm not sure we'll see too much difference. Foreign investors are queueing at the door, and the economy is strong. The UK might even thrive.
DeleteHope you're right. I'm not sure at all concerning the economy.
ReplyDeleteWe'll all have to wait and see. I think most businesses will be driven to succeed.
DeleteI thought for Sweden you need to live there at least 5 years..all seem.quite complicated anyway. Were you children born in France ? So they have the French nationality or not ?
ReplyDeleteOnly my youngest was born in France. It would probably be easier for him to claim French nationality rather than Swedish.
DeleteHa, we have the same title! I wouldn't worry. They're not going to chuck you out. I'll bet you a fiver 😀
ReplyDeleteI don't think they will either, but everyone keeps telling me they will.
DeleteI don't think it will come to that and I wouldn't be too concerned, but then I have a history of being wrong about such things.
ReplyDeleteIt gives me something to write about Andrew.
DeleteYou never seemed particularly bothered before. Why now? It was always coming along. You'll probably be dead before anything happens.
ReplyDeleteI may simply take no notice of whatever they say. Otherwise, I won't be too upset to spend a few months of the year in Blighty.
DeleteI wondered what on earth had come over you when I read the post. Phew, business as usual.
DeleteDuring WW1 my grandfather and his batallion came from India to England to join in. They found themselves on Salibury Plain in tents in November.
ReplyDeleteI rather wonder if someone's dusting off the same temporary accomodation for we British expats.
I know a lot of expats have no homes back in Blighty, so what are they expected to do? Like refugees, I suppose they'll demand to be housed.
DeleteI’m not sure it will come to that .... I think you’ll be OK..... after all, they really would be cutting off their nose to spite their face I think. Think positive and all will be well. XXXX
ReplyDeleteMy wife is more worried than I am. I'm quite happy to ignore any instruction to leave.
DeleteSurely, if you have your carte de séjour you can stay. If our American friends can live in France, having never been in the EU, you can too. Isn't it just a matter of filling in the right paperwork and complying with income criteria?
ReplyDeleteAll our British friends who live full time in France feel much more positive once they have their carte de séjour as it entitles them to be resident in France even if they have to apply to renew it at intervals.
I did have a Carte de Séjour when we first arrived, but after our membership of the EU they weren't necessary, so I didn't bother.
DeleteSpare a thought for the likes of me. EU country member deeply rooted in the UK.
ReplyDeletePlease do remember, Cro, and I totally understand your lament, what's happening here and how it may affect you on mainland Europe is the UK's doing not France's (or any other EU member country).
I have had two run ins with the Home Office (under Theresa May) - one about eleven years ago. It nearly destroyed me. Took six months and not one word of apology from "them" whoever these mysterious forces are for having got it so wrong. Fast forward a few years. Suddenly my national identity was deemed to be … don't ask. It's too tragic to relive. They (the Home Office) had my passport, people vouching for my identity. You know, say, friends, family, father-of-son (English), your - by now- grown up son, people I worked for. Well, "fuck you" was the impression I got. No, actually, not fuck you, it was the indifference to my plight which was the worst.
Anyway, back to you. You will be fine. However and at risk of repeating myself, you can't blame, in your case, France for having to follow protocol. It was Britain who left - not the twenty seven remaining.
I was devastated that day back in June 2016 as I woke to the referendum result. I cried. Hope against hope, ever the optimist, 31 Jan 2020 came. I cried. Again. And I don't easily cry. Not just for me and my precarious situation courtesy of the Brits, but for an idea, a concept being abandoned. Arbitrarily. On a whim. Namely that of friendship, peace, working together. The irony, Cro, the irony: Ode of joy (the European anthem), all humans are brothers. Indeed.
Hope you don't mind me venting here, Cro, but it's just all so sad, so unnecessary, so backward. Still, at least the Angel (my son) will be ok every which way since he has two birth certificates/two passports. The world remains his oyster - even if his mother may be shipped back "where [she] came from".
Hug you and Lady M, by way of Voelkerverstaendigung (understanding between nations),
Ursula
Don't forget that I voted 'remain'. I certainly don't blame the French for any ensuing problems, in fact I think they would be very happy to see us all stay. The Brits have totally regenerated this area, and the authorities appreciate this. The President of 'Nouvelle Aquitaine' himself regrets any disturbance we may suffer.
DeleteUrsula, David Cameron went to the EU to ask for moderate changesand he to got told Fuck You. Unsurprisingly the British public said Fuck You too then and voted leave when asked.
ReplyDeleteThat was certainly a turning point for the 'public', even so I don't imagine that Cameron thought his referendum would have gone the way it did.
DeleteI had a carte de séjour when I first moved here but then shortly thereafter it was no longer necessary so I never got one as an EU citizen. I had all my paperwork ready to apply online on Monday but have just seen a communiqué telling us to wait. The French are in the process of setting up a simplified online system (which will be up and running as from July) where we will apply for c de s which will be specifically for Brits living in France. I'm not particularly worried now. Sad, disgusted (about Britain) but not worried about staying here.
ReplyDeleteMy Carte de Séjour must have expired in around 1980.... I'm wondering if I can now renew it!!!!
DeleteCongratulations to you!
ReplyDeleteOn Brexit!
I am so very happy for you...!
'Wisps of Words'
USA
Although I voted to stay in the EU, I'm certainly not worried about the UK's future. My vote was very much based on my own personal position; not against leaving.
DeleteI should be very surprised if you had to leave but then I seem to spend my life being surprised these days.
ReplyDeleteNothing will happen for at least a year; after that... who knows.
DeleteI hope you get to stay without too much red tape. I don't
ReplyDeletewhy you can't stay as any other person could move there. But I didn't understand any of the EU and Brexit.
Good Luck !
parsnip
It's all a mystery. I doubt if Brexit will make all that much difference to anyone, but it now depends on our politicians.
Delete