Brexit to hit Goans using Portugal route

LONDON: Goans who opted for Portuguese citizenship and moved to Britain, or Goans considering the same, will be watching Thursday’s referendum closely as they will

LONDON: Goans who opted for Portuguese citizenship and moved to Britain, or Goans considering the same, will be watching Thursday’s referendum closely as they will be affected whether Britain stays in or leaves the European Union.

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Using Portugal’s nationality law, which allows anyone born before December 19, 1961 (the date of Goa’s liberation from Portugal) and their three generations to acquire Portuguese nationality, thousands have migrated and settled in Britain, mainly in Swindon and London.

As Portuguese nationals, they become EU citizens, which entitles them to live and work in any of the 28 members of the bloc under the “freedom of movement” principle.

A vote to leave the EU will restrict their right to stay in Britain and a vote to remain will affect their access to state financial benefits under the deal secured by Prime Minister David Cameron from Brussels earlier this year.

Rabi Martins, the Goa-origin councillor in Watford, north London, told Hindustan Times: “It is a walk into the unknown. Goans now need to rethink before applying for Portuguese passports, since the EU referendum will adversely affect them. Brexit will make it worse, but even a vote to stay in will make it difficult.”

There are reports that some European Union citizens living in Britain have applied for British passports to avoid any adverse impact of the referendum outcome, while many British citizens keen to retain European Union links have applied for Irish citizenship.

Britain allows dual citizenship and neighbouring Ireland is a key member of the European Union.