Brexit: What does leaving the EU mean for expats?

There have also been fears that member states angered by Brexit could try to put pressure on British expats in revenge. For example, Spain could ask British retirees to pay for their own healthcare, according to the Centre for European Reform's John Springford, or move to curb access to healthcare services outright.

In a paper outlining the risks of Brexit prior to the June 2016 vote, the Government said: "Many UK citizens would want any negotiations to secure their continued right to work, reside and own property in other EU states, and to access public services such as medical treatment in those states.

"UK citizens resident abroad, among them those who have retired to Spain, would not be able to assume that these rights will be guaranteed."