The Diplomat
The Council of Ministers yesterday extended by four months, until October 31, three Brexit adaptation measures that were designed to make life easier for Spanish and British citizens while waiting for concrete agreements to be reached with the United Kingdom on the matters contemplated. Specifically, the approved extension affects healthcare for cross-border workers, the recognition of driving licenses and the homologation of qualifications, which expired on June 30.
In order to prepare for the possible consequences of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement), on December 29, Spain approved Royal Decree-Law 38/2020, adopting measures to adapt to the United Kingdom’s status as a third country after the end of the transitional period. These were actions aimed at protecting the interests of citizens and economic operators that could be affected by Brexit. In line with the Communications of the European Commission, the Royal Decree-Law established a time limit on the duration of the measures, although Article 2 stated that the Government, by agreement, could extend them if necessary.
Article 11, on access to healthcare, will be extended for four months in order to continue to have the necessary legal basis to continue invoicing, on the part of Spain, the costs of healthcare provided, at Gibraltar’s expense, to cross-border workers residing in Spain and working in that territory. This is pending the entry into force of the future European Union Agreement with the United Kingdom on Gibraltar, which is currently being prepared and which is expected to include coordination on social security and access to healthcare.
Article 15, which sets a transitional period during which holders of a driving license issued by the British authorities can continue to drive in our country, will be extended for four months. At present, the negotiation of an agreement between Spain and the United Kingdom to regulate the mutual recognition of driving licenses is being promoted, and therefore, while the requirements and procedures for such recognition are being agreed, it is considered necessary to extend the period of validity of British licenses in Spain.
Finally, in order to avoid administrative burdens for citizens and to facilitate their adaptation to the new regime after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU, the third additional provision of the Royal Decree-Law establishing that the apostille of the Hague Convention is not required for homologations, equivalence declarations and validation of degrees and studies of universities and other higher education centers, as well as of non-university degrees and studies, is extended until October 31.
