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Brits in France 'face Brexit revenge' for UK's treatment of foreigners

The Local Sweden
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Brits in France 'face Brexit revenge' for UK's treatment of foreigners
Photo: AFP

A leaked EU document has suggested that Brits across the EU will face a serious fallout due to the UK's treatment of foreigners after the Brexit vote.

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Looks like things could get difficult for Brits living in France, at least that's according to a leaked EU document that British newspaper The Guardian has seen
 
The leaked paper said that the future status of Brits in the EU will be a matter for each individual member state after the UK leaves the union in 2019. 
 
This means that the 150,000 to 250,000 Brits in France will have to see what France decides to do with them. 
 
"The fact that it appears to be particularly difficult for foreign nationals, even if married to UK nationals or born in the UK, to acquire permanent residence status or British nationality may colour member states' approach to this matter," the document says. 
 
In other words - if you're married to a French person, there's a chance that this marriage won't guarantee success in your quest to pursue French citizenship. 
 
 
The leaked paper added that there had been a 50 percent increase in EU citizens seeking British residency - but that the process was extremely complicated and involved an 85-page form. 
 
Monday's leaked document suggested Brits may not be able to rely on factors like pension or property ownership to give them unrestricted rights to live, work, and study in the EU, or indeed take advantage of things like reciprocal healthcare arrangements. 
 
Brits working in EU institutions will also likely feel the pinch, the document said. 
 
"The European parliament, the council and the commission alone have more than 1,500 British staff members. The UK withdrawing from the European Union will definitely have an impact on their careers for, in principle, only nationals of a member state can work for the EU institutions," it said.

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