A Brexit trade deal was finalised at the end of December, meaning that the UK has left the European Union and EU trade laws no longer apply. If you’re moving to the EU this year from the UK, there will be some extra factors to consider.

  1. Visas

You are entitled to visit EU countries for up to 90 days in any 180 days without a visa. So, if you’re buying a holiday home abroad, you may not need a visa. However, if you plan to move to the EU permanently or spend more than three months there at a time, you will need to apply for a visa. There is a range of visas on offer, depending on your situation.

  1. Healthcare

The EHIC card is being scrapped post-Brexit. However, your current card will still be valid until it expires. This will then be replaced with the GHIC, the Global Health Insurance Card. This will cover you for emergencies and treatment for existing conditions. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware that you may still have to pay for things in the EU that you would usually get for free in the UK.

The UK is expected to work with the EU in the coming months to agree on reciprocal healthcare measures. As time goes on, we may see that more are introduced to help expats access healthcare in the EU.

  1. Residency

Residency requirements and how to obtain residency will vary slightly depending on which country in the EU you are moving to. You may be able to apply online or it could be a case of visiting your local town hall. If you’ve moved to the EU after the Brexit transition period, it’s likely that you’ll need a visa before applying for residency and you could be required to reside in the country for an extended period of time.

  1. Buying a property

Luckily, the process of buying a property in the EU hasn’t changed much. Many buyers are now carrying out the whole process, including viewing the property, from home. The overseas property market was buoyant before the end of 2020 and this is set to continue into 2021, especially if we start to see a global recovery from the pandemic in the summer months.

 

–

If you would like further advice on the selling process in France,  download your free France Guide.

Why not split the cost and double the fun of owning a holiday in France by buying with family or friends? Read our guide to  Buying Abroad with Family

Are you looking for a property in France? Search on Green-Acres

Want to sell your property on Green-Acres? Advertise on Green-Acres