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Interest in property on the Algarve from Brits is soaring. (Picture: Association of Portuguese Resorts)
Cold days and long winter nights in lockdown have left people dreaming of sunnier climes according to property experts.
The Association of Portuguese Resorts said almost a quarter of international enquiries at the end of 2020 were from the UK and Ireland, while Taylor Wimpey Espana says its website traffic has rocketed in the first month of January.
Javier Piñanes, Spanish tourism board officer in London, said: There is a strong desire to travel on the part of the British and they emphasise Spain is the destination they want to travel to, it is their top destination for holiday.”
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While Brexit may now be well and truly done, British citizens residing in Spain who have yet to complete the necessary paperwork surrounding residency have been given a lifeline by the Spanish authorities.
Those who can prove they lived in Spain prior to December 31 2020 can still apply for residency there, the government has announced.
Additionally, those with family links in Spain may also be able to apply for residency. British citizens arriving in Spain as of January 1 2021 can apply for residency in certain situations – for example if they have a family link with a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement – according to the Spanish guidance.