Under the new rules, Britons living in Spain will now have to prove they have an income of at least £2,000 per month. The income is much higher for families who require an extra £500 a month for each family member.
This news has left the British public furious with one Express.co.uk reader saying Spanish property prices will “collapse in the months to come”.
A second reader said: “Brits will take their pensions and holiday money somewhere else, no problem.”
While a third person said: “Just boycott Spain or the Canaries for your next holiday.
“Hit them in the pocket where it hits.”
A fourth added: “Gosh, so the EU is not the golden land. No surprise there.”
Someone else said the same rules should be applied to Spanish citizens in the UK.
They said: “All Spanish here should have to either go home or apply for British citizenship.
“What works one way, should work the other.”
READ MORE: Costa del Sol Brexit EXODUS: ‘Let down’ British ex-pats leave Spain
“I doubt it very much.
“I’d even say that the non-Spanish residents were keeping the local economy going.
“Add this to fewer tourists and what do you get?”
Others lashed out at those who have refused to get Spanish citizenship for the last four years.
One person said: “Most of the ones affected are economic chancers.
“They won’t take Spanish citizenship because it would put in jeopardy their right to come back and use the health service.
“If you want to live permanently in a country be prepared to go the whole hog.
“If all you want is a holiday in the sun, there will be restrictions. Stop whinging.”
While someone else said: “Nobody forced them to go and live in Spain.”
Those who have second homes in Spain but have not taken up residency can no longer come and go as they please.
Under the Brexit deal, they are only allowed to spend up to three months out of every six there.
This is due to the UK no longer being part of the EU and therefore removing free movement of EU citizens.
There are more than 360,000 British residents registered in Spain but the many elderly Britons are already packing their cases and returning to the UK.
Three charities – Age in Spain, Babelia and the International Organisation for Migration – are offering legal help, or assistance in arranging appointments, for people struggling with the Spanish language, those in remote areas and people with disabilities.
