House of Lords vote gives hope to expat supporters of an EEA compromise

Is EEA membership the way forward for post-Brexit free movement for expats?

Whilst expat business owners have their own concerns about Brexit’s effects on their companies, the majority of UK expats living in EU member states are concentrating on the fear of being forced to leave once the EU’s free movement entitlement is removed. This week’s House of Lords’ vote approving the UK’s staying in the European Economic Area sent a shock wave across Britain’s Lower House, but those who listened might have heard a muted sigh of relief from across the channel.

Membership of the EEA also confers free movement as well as other rights due to be withdrawn post-Brexit should Britain leave the customs union and also reject the EEA. That’s still a possibility, as the House of Commons may vote to overturn the Lords’ vote. Unfortunately, the fate of several million Brit expats and also of a few million more EU citizens in the UK isn’t a priority for the political games at present being enacted in government.

Right now, the EU and UK are attempting to come to an agreement which protects the rights of all expats across Europe, no matter what their nationality but, according to the current draft, Britons would have to get residency cards to be able to prove entitlement to rights which, under EEA rules, they would automatically be granted. Campaigners are arguing that Britain cannot leave the EEA as it’s not formally stated its intention to do so under a specific agreement made in 1994.

As Remain voices grow louder, both in the UK and in Europe’s British expat communities, they’re being linked with those who see the EEA solution as beneficial to business as well as a life-saving compromise for expats.