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Around 500 ex-pats are in the process of attempting to become Spanish nationals because they “do not recognise their country anymore” after the referendum vote, according to Diario Sur. One third of the UK citizens who live in Spain are retired, own a house and receive a pension, which they feel is being threatened by Britain’s EU exit. The 310,000 Britons in Spain are sick of “being treated like bargaining chips” and are turning away from their homeland as a result.

GETTY British citizens living in Spain are changing their nationality post-Brexit

Adele, 55, told the newspaper: “Many of us feel our world is collapsing, but above all, our future. “My mother has Parkinson's and she lives with me in Spain as a non-resident. Now, will she have to go back to the UK and live in a nursing home? “My husband and I run a 45 year full time business in Liverpool. We pay taxes and create jobs. Why should we be punished now?"

GETTY Around 500 Brits are trying to become Spanish

A group called ‘Bremain’ has been founded by Nicolas Hatton and is demanding the rights of British citizens living in Europe be protected. Mr Hatton said: “We are not bargaining chips. Theresa May has a responsibility to protect our rights.” In order to give themselves long term security, many Brits are claiming Spanish citizenship, reneging the documentation of their birthplace. James Maconachie, whose three children were born and brought up with the Castilian accent of Bajo Aragón, where the family lives, said: "I do not recognise my country. I no longer feel English."

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