Brexit - ExPats ask, what happens next for me?

Question: I am a British Ex-Pat already living in France, with a "Brexit" what happens next for me?

Answer: The short answer is... Nothing yet.

Following the vote to leave the EU and the inevitable shock waves in the UK, Europe and around the globe there has been surprisingly little done or agreed about the way forward.

David Cameron announced that he will stand down as Prime Minister, but not until October, so for now he will remain where he is to 'Steady the Ship' over the coming months. He said in his speech directed to Ex-Pats in the EU:

"I would also reassure Brits living in European countries, and European citizens living here, that there will be no immediate changes in your circumstances. There will be no initial change in the way our people can travel, in the way our goods can move or the way our services can be sold."

"We must now prepare for a negotiation with the European Union. This will need to involve the full engagement of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments to ensure that the interests of all parts of our United Kingdom are protected and advanced."

Leaving the EU has to be negotiated, it is not an overnight thing, it may take many years and certainly at least two years. Even if the UK government invokes 'Article 50' of the 2009 Lisbon Treaty, it will take at least two years before the exit is agreed by the other Member States of the EU.

Mark D’Arcy the BBC’s parliamentary correspondent. said...

"Parliament would have to amend or repeal a series of other Acts, as well as 44 years’ worth of EU-derived secondary legislation, especially statutory instruments passed under Section 2(2) of the 1972 Act, which would have no legal effect after it had been repealed".

So, there are many steps to take but for now, and in the near future... nothing has changed.