We are approaching the 10th Anniversary of the UK’s Referendum on EU Membership on 23rd June 2026. It resulted in the decision for the UK to leave the EU.
Some of the British in Austria team of volunteers have been sharing their personal experiences. This post describes Tim’s Reflections on the impact of the referendum 10 years on. Tim lives in in Upper Austria, near Linz with his family and his cute dog!
Tell us a bit about yourself
Born in the UK in the late 50s; ok, a boomer I know! I have an honours degree in Environmental Biology, but my first job was as a programmer, and I have been one ever since.
I have worked in the telecoms, pharmaceutical, aerospace and finance fields and am now retired, living near Linz.
I have been in Austria since late 1990. But left the UK to see “The World” in 1985, but got stuck in southern Germany for 4 years. A new culture, the hardest part was learning a new language. I loved it.
Where were you when the vote was announced and were you surprised at the result?
In my living room at home near Linz.
I had watched the referendum reports on the BBC World News satellite channel with a sinking feeling in my stomach until I couldn’t stand it any more. Breakfast was miserable, but my colleagues at work really helped cheer me up, one even offered to adopt me.
I wasn’t surprised at the result, just very, very disappointed and frustrated at the stupidity of it all.
How did the outcome of the referendum impact you?
I’d been here in Austria for some time, house and family, a permanent job. To be honest, I had played with the idea of getting Austrian citizenship, at least before my retirement. But now, with anything possible I decided it was time to do it.
I had recently joined the British in Austria Facebook group and got wind of a chap in Vienna who’d written a blog about his naturalisation journey: From Brexit to Ex-Brit. That was Mike, and a huge thank you for that!
So, 3 years later, just before Covid 19 struck, I finally turned my back on the UK.
What are some of the highlights related to your BiAthe Facebook groups Britishinaustria.net draws upon its two Facebook groups as a source of questions to address in FAQs or to refer to the authorities or to request clarification from government ministries or HM British Embassy. These groups can be found at: British in Austria: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BritishAustria British in Europe ~ Austria: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BritishinAustria work?
- Working with Mike, Simon and Graham, and later Keith – such knowledgeable and at times stubborn people – was an honour.
- Also the support from the British in Europe group, which gave me the confidence to really get to grips with the Withdrawal AgreementWithdrawal Agreement The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to live, work and study in the EU broadly as you did before 31 January 2020. If you are resident in Austria at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for as long as you remain resident in Austria. Any rights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will be the subject of future negotiations. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-withdrawal-agreement-and-political-declaration and EU residence laws.
- The first meeting at the embassy with representatives from the Austrian ministries was particularly cool for me. With that knowledge, being able to help others was a real help.
- Personally, accompanying a couple of people to the immigration offices to translate and give moral support, if nothing else.
What could be better?
- Trying to get our message out to as many people as possible was an uphill struggle. Some were offline, some were in denial and wouldn’t believe that they had to do anything.
- Despite our good relationships with the BMIBundesministerium für Inneres The Bundesministerium für Inneres (BMI) / Ministry for the Interior (UK counterparty: the Home Office) is competent for public security, policing, border control as well as residency and citizenships. It is also responsible for elections and direct democracy instruments as well as the civil service in the respective provinces, as well as municipal level where they are not covered by the Federal Chancellery. and embassy I often felt that we were the only ones trying to contact and inform people; I had hoped the authorities would be more active.
- Still, we did our best and it was more than I had expected at first.
- We still have problems with some regional officials who seem to relish making lives difficult, and there is “Luft nach oben” on equal treatment.
Anything Else
A big thanks to the people at British in Europe, some of whom have now, rightly, been awarded honours from the UK.
To everyone in the BiA group, especially during the covid crisis.
We know the dog appears to have two tails; it just goes to show the AI is NOT always perfect! Nobody is perfect, including the AI! 🙂
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