What did Brexit mean for me?
I had been living in Portugal since Septemebr 2007 so when the Brexit Referendum took place, on 23 June 2016, I was well and truely and expat, so it mean a lot to me an my family.
Leading up to the vote I worked closely with the British Consulate in Lisbon to promote Register Your Vote, through my magazine, websites and Social Media. It was a sucessful campaign but still many people did not register. It still amazes me how many eligeable people did not vote in suce a crucial referendum, that has now affected the lives of all expats and British residents.
On the night of the vote I was at a friends house for a Brexit Party. Wine was flowing and we were feeling hopefull, as 3am came around it was clear that the vote was going to wrong way.
What, Why, how....everyone was bemused how this could have happened, how could people be so stupid ?
It was only then that I descovered that the wife of the host had voted Leave, and she was pround of the fact they had won ??
Years later I asked her if she was still proud of her vote? Now she cannot believe all the lies that were told. Unfortunately I think that applies to a lot of people who voted Leave.
In 2026 we are now 10 years on from the vote. The main effect for travellers from UK to Europe is they now need to register for the EES system and they are limited to how long they can stay in the EU and Schenghen areas, to a maximun of 90 days within a 180 day rolling period. Also, European, US and other 3rd country travellers to the UK now must register for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation).
Deliveries from the UK to Europe, especially Portugal are almost impossible now. They are stopped at customs, lost or turned back most of the time. It means that many only shops that we used to buy from have becomome off-limits.
The UK is starting to talk with Brussels again about what compromises they can make, so watch this space, but even if teh UK decided to Rejoin, it will take a very long time to get back to where we were pre 2016.