As the June referendum on Britain’s future in the EU looms there are a growing number of long established resident ex-pats here who are seriously considering their future in this beautiful country as they await the vote outcome.

There are a few issues which could directly affect them if Britain votes to come out of Europe.

Some have been living on a limited income for decades and they will probably lose the reciprocal health care and reduced price prescription items.

A fall in the value of the GB pound will also dramatically affect pensions.

They will be barred from voting in the referendum, their winter fuel allowance will stop and would they legally be allowed to continue living here?

Brian Hayhurst and wife Elaine

With Spain steadily clawing itself out of recession, assisted by booming tourism, the government here has clearly stated they want the UK to remain in Europe but the uncertainty of having to possibly obtain expensive health care insurance is bound to make many older residents consider returning to their places of origin.

Most here who have become official residents have used the fantastic health service with appointments made quickly and health issues resolved professionally in quality clinics and hospitals.

No-one knows how Spain will resolve the thousands of ex-pats who join Spaniards and other nationals undergoing treatments for minor illnesses to major operations. Those over 65 and in the system pay only 10% of prescription medication items from well-stocked chemists.

A recently built modern clinic serviced and run by the local government of Mijas

Since the announcement of the pending vote, the pound has taken a real tumble which directly affects any pensions received by old folks.

Not long ago the euro/pound was over 1.38. Today it is falling below 1.27 which means a drop of 33 euros on a monthly pension, for example, of £300.

Now, to a lot of people this is not a big loss, but there are many who desperately need those 33 euros. And for the long-established here, who would like to vote on June 23, they have been barred from voting if they have lived out of Britain for more than 15 years. Loads are expressing anger at not being able to vote on anything in the UK yet French and Germans here can vote in their respective elections etc.

For those who have had the pleasure of coming on holiday here to Spain will know that, sure it can be hot during the day, but at night the temperature drops rapidly, especially in older properties or the majority of concrete-built houses and apartments.

In February temperatures in some parts of rural Spain fell to -12˚C!

The decision, mainly by Iain Duncan Smith, to take an average annual temperature and decide it’s warm enough to warrant stopping the annual £200 was a kick in the teeth for those who paid into the UK system all their adult lives. Again, lots do miss this money which they would genuinely spend on gas bottles, firewood or the exorbitant electricity bill used to warm up their homes. Spain has one of the highest electricity charges in Europe.

Iain Duncan Smith

There are thousands living here who have never obtained an NIE number (National Identification Number) or registered with the authorities and paid tax, thus evading the mountain of paperwork which goes with the Spanish way of life here.

We know of some who lived ‘under the radar’ who were unable to set aside funeral costs prior to passing away, leaving others to raise up to 3,000 euros for a simple cremation. Morbid but true!

But for those who decided to pay taxes here and become official residents there could be worrying times ahead and no-one here can predict or even guess which way the in/out vote will go.

There are those who are really panicking and suggesting that foreigners living here might become illegal immigrants and eventually be persuaded one way or another to leave.

It is, I feel, one of the biggest decisions they will make in their lifetime.

People here will be monitoring the referendum situation along with worries about the political situation as Spanish political parties are venomously fighting for power. And there is market turbulence which may burst the upsurge bubble!