INSIGHT: The Brexit Prophecy and “Brexpats” in Spain

International tax barrister Leon Fernando Del Canto examines what Brexit will mean for businesses and individuals across the EU—especially the hundreds of thousands of Britons who live, work, or own property in Spain.

With the UK now officially outside the EU, border rules, freedom of movement, business operations and cross-border legal matters will gradually change. British nationals may eventually shift from being “expats” to “immigrants,” facing new visa requirements and administrative procedures.

While the UK–Spain double tax treaty remains intact, areas such as immigration, customs, consumer protection, data, and family law may become more complex. Property ownership—relevant to almost 500,000 Britons—will also be affected, and non-resident tax compliance in Spain will continue to be tightly monitored.

Despite the uncertainty, Del Canto stresses the need for strong bilateral cooperation between Spain and the UK to protect residents, businesses, and long-standing economic ties.