Expats in the EU may be able to gain an associate EU citizenship if the European parliament approves a proposal tabled by an MEP.
The plan would give nationals of a country that has left the EU a status to remain in Europe and retain some of their EU rights, such as the freedoms to live, travel and work in the EU.
The proposal, technically an amendment to an EU draft report on constitutional matters, would offer a European associate citizenship “for those who feel and wish to be part of the European project but are nationals of a former member state”.
If approved, the scheme may prove practical for British expats whose future abroad after Brexit remains unclear. There is concern that British citizens could lose the right to live and work in some or all EU countries, particularly if the UK restricts freedom of movement into Britain and the move is reciprocated.
“It’s clear the UK is divided, and many people want to remain part of Europe,” said the Luxembourg MEP behind the proposal, Charles Goerens.
“The idea is simply to guarantee those who want it some of the same rights they had as full EU citizens, including the right of residence in the EU, and to be able to vote in European elections and be represented by an MEP.”
“This has clearly struck a chord,” Goerens said. “A lot of people from Britain have got in touch with me to ask what they can do to make sure it happens.”
The proposal will be considered by the European Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee, which is drawing up a report with recommendations on “Possible evolutions of and adjustments to the current institutional set-up of the European Union”.
The idea has been slammed by Leave supporters. Jayne Adye, director of the Get Britain Out campaign, called it divisive and said it was “totally unacceptable” for British people to retain the advantages of EU membership.
“This is an outrage. The EU is now attempting to divide the great British public at the exact moment we need unity. 17.4 million people voted to leave the EU on 23 June and as a result the UK as a whole will get Brexit,” she said.
“Brexit means laws which impact the people of the UK will be created by accountable politicians in Westminster. It is totally unacceptable for certain citizens in the UK to subject themselves to laws which are created by politicians who are not accountable the British people as a whole. Discriminating against people based on their political views shows there are no depths the EU will not sink to.”
