Posted: Wed Oct 2, 2019 6:44pm
Hi Ray,
I think more a matter of interpretation, rather than "false assumption".
Thanks for the clarification regarding the "transition period".
It's good to see that Moncloa's website doesn't reference permanent Resident Certificate, nor 5 years' Settled Status, so I'm happy to share your optimism - for the moment..... ;o)
I think the NHS letter you refer to is the one issued by the NHS Business Services Authority? (I'm not a pensioner, so I didn't receive one.) I think it's disingenuous for them to state, "Your pension is not affected by the UK leaving the UK", and then to immediately follow that with, "Your UK State Pension will also be uprated in line with UK increases for 3 years up to and including 2022-23 while you are living in the EU. The government plans to negotiate an agreement with the EU to ensure your State Pension will carry on being uprated in the longer term." This could have read, "Your UK State Pension will be affected if the government is not able to negotiate an agreement with the EU to continue uprating...." and, given their record thus far, is probably a more accurate interpretation.
Regarding the S1 scheme, "We are working hard to secure an arrangement with the EU or the country in which you live to continue current healthcare arrangements." is dubious, especially in view of the El Pais article, posted by Stan Bartolome last week ("Is this Project Fear too...?"). The report, "Spain will remove rights to British residents if it does not obtain equal treatment" follows a meeting in Madrid between the British Minister for Brexit, Steve Barclay, and Spain's Head of Diplomacy, the Foreign Minister, Josep Borrell, and Secretary of State for the EU, Luis Marco Aguiriano. Both Spain and the EU are very concerned that the system developed by the UK for protecting citizens' rights does not reciprocate Spain's offer on a like-for-like basis, specifically in respect of "pre-resident status", nor is it enshrined in UK law. Spain's position is that, until the UK reciprocates their offer, the "regulated measures" enacted in the Royal Decree in March this year will be suspended. Potentially, that puts everything on Moncloa's website regarding post-Brexit citizens' rights in doubt.
I think all this demonstrates that for people like Jeff, who are trying to plan for a post-Brexit move, there's still too much uncertainty to ignore the potential downsides.
Kind regards,
Kim