British expats in Portugal fear possible Brexit

Описание: (14 Mar 2016) Thousands of British expatriates have learned to love the pleasure the Portuguese sunshine and the easier lifestyle, but with the so called "Brexit" on the horizon, a cloud of uncertainty is taking shape in the Algarve's blue skies. What will happen if Britain votes to leave the European Union in a June referendum?
The UK and Portugal are both part of the 28 countries making up the bloc.
EU laws stipulate that the bloc's citizens have the same rights as those nationals in any other member nation.
The impending ballot has brought questions and concerns for the British expats about what might happen if they no longer belong to the EU.
Would the so-called 'Brexit' bring different rules for their property ownerships and taxation, as well as inheritance rights?
Will British expats still be entitled to local welfare benefits and free public health services?
Would they still be able to have automatic residence and work permits?
In Vilamoura, where many expatriates live in extensive condominiums, the Lawn Bowls green showcases one of Britain's most genteel sports.
The Vilamoura Lawn Bowls Club has around 40 members who play three-hour games, and there is enough interest in the sport from Britons living along Portugal's southern Algarve coastline to sustain eight lawn bowls clubs which now play in two leagues.
For John Hewitson, who retired out here with his wife 15 years ago and lives off his British old-age pension, the immediate worry is the exchange rate.
The British pound has weakened recently as markets fret over the referendum.
If sterling drops to parity with the shared euro currency, which Portugal uses, it "would be a disaster for pensioners," he says.
Campaigners who want the UK out of the EU say they are fed up with, among other things, immigrants having access to often overstretched British welfare benefits and public services.
The House of Commons library calculates there are around three (m) million EU migrants living in the UK.
Peter Booker, who retired with his schoolteacher wife to Tavira in the eastern Algarve 17 years ago after a three-decade career in the British coal industry, founded the Algarve History Association, which encourages expatriates to learn about Portugal.
Booker rejects the benefits argument, saying reciprocity is fair and right.
He said he benefits in Portugal ... and the Portuguese benefit in Britain. That, he said, is right and it should remain like that.
Sheila MacDonald a retired Scottish woman, lives in Tavira Garden, a condominium set around a large swimming pool, in the town of the same name, that is home to dozens of expatriates.
She came for the healthy climate and belongs to expat clubs that study books, music and archaeology.
She worries about welfare and "this whole business of 'no welfare for people who are emigrating into Great Britain," and asks about the "Brits who have emigrated into the EU."
Sixty-year-old Michael Wood says the Portuguese Health Service has been a good friend to him as well, with prices "next to nothing" when compared to Britain.
Wood does not consider returning anytime soon.
"Why? Why would I want to?" He says with a smile.
Britain's House of Commons library estimates there are roughly 1.2 (m) million British migrants living in other EU countries, especially France, Spain and Portugal.
Analysts reckon, however, the true number could be at least double that and maybe a lot more because many people don't bother registering with their embassies or local authorities.

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