Asked by: Connor Naismith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support people who are being harassed by foreign private care institutions for matters that would not be subject to (a) legal and (b) financial obligations within the UK.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has longstanding advice that British nationals should purchase appropriate insurance before travelling abroad. If British travellers do not have appropriate insurance before they travel they can be liable for emergency expenses. The FCDO cannot get involved in private disputes over commercial or other matters. Our consular assistance includes providing information about the legal systems in the country concerned, and we can provide details of local lawyers.
Asked by: Connor Naismith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate they have made of the number of UK residents with properties in the EU that are affected by post-Brexit restrictions; and what steps they are taking to (a) address and (b) remediate these.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There is no requirement for UK residents with properties in the EU to record these details with the UK Government.
The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the EU allows for travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. Applications for visas to visit or stay for longer periods of time would be processed according to the rules of individual Member States.
The UK Government is using diplomatic channels to facilitate conversations with EU Member States about a range of issues affecting our citizens. We will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.