top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Group seeks support for bid to protect Britons' rights

A civil rights group is calling on people to sign a letter to EU's chief negotiator asking the EU to guarantee the rights of Britons abroad in the EU after Brexit, whether or not there is a deal.

It comes as the UK has confirmed that its ‘settled status’ – its term for the residency status that EU citizens living in the UK before Brexit would have under the Brexit deal – will be operative even if the UK leaves with no deal. 'Settled status' was put into domestic UK law earlier this summer.

New Europeans, a group promoting free movement, non-discrimination and solidarity in Europe, says it would have wished the EU to make the first move on such an issue – at present Britons abroad in the EU have no guarantees that their rights would remain without a deal.

The group says in the letter to negotiator Michel Barnier: “The EU cannot allow itself to get into the position where it stands back and allows the rights of 1.5m and more of its own citizens be stripped of their citizenship rights, through no fault of their own and as a result of a referendum which now appears to have been manipulated by illegal interference and conditioned by lies.

“We want a European Union we can be proud of.

“That means a statement confirming that the EU will grant guarantees unilaterally to 1.5m British citizens in the EU, parallel to the one Theresa May made (at long last)​.”

People can add their signatures in support of the statement at this link.

New Europeans was founded in London but is now based in Brussels and has just been announced as winner of the Schwarzkopf Europe Award 2019, a prize for people or bodies who have given service to European understanding.

The group also heads the #EUGreenCard campaign, which proposes that the EU should issue a European ‘green card’ to anyone who has obtained permanent EU residency (or the UK settled status) and which would guarantee EU free movement regardless of whether their country remains in the EU or not. This would help Britons in France maintain the future right to live and work in other EU states (which is not currently included in the draft EU-UK withdrawal deal).

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France