LONDON -- On the eve of Britain鈥檚 historic departure from the European Union, some three million EU nationals are left questioning their future in a country they have long called home.
鈥淏efore the referendum I would鈥檝e told you I would鈥檝e stayed here until I died, but something kind of broke in me,鈥� Nicole Weavers, a Dutch national who settled in London 11 years ago, told 麻豆影视.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 feel like it鈥檚 the same place.鈥�
On Wednesday, the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved Britain鈥檚 departure terms, marking the final decision in four years of Brexit drama.
Despite a transition period that will allow European citizens to remain in Britain after the country鈥檚 official departure Friday, many in Weaver鈥檚 position admit that they no longer feel welcome in the U.K.
鈥淭here has been a lot of hate against foreigners, and it has been hurtful for a lot of people,鈥� German national Tania Bueltman told 麻豆影视.
鈥淭hey have lost a sense of belonging.鈥�
Bueltman, who has resided in the U.K. for more than 11 years, is the founder of EU Citizens鈥� Champion, a campaign that advocates for a legal immigration status that will protect EU citizens and their families after Brexit.
At the core of the campaign is the argument that .
鈥淓U citizens in the UK are now faced with having to apply if they want to stay in their home post-Brexit,鈥� reads the campaign鈥檚 website. 鈥淲hile the UK government claims that settled status secures the rights of EU citizens, the reality is that it does not provide certainty.鈥�
EU nationals are required to apply to the so-called Settlement Scheme to continue living in the U.K. after June 30, 2021.
Settled status will grant EU nationals and their families who have spent more than five years in the U.K. the same rights as British citizens. Those who have lived in the U.K. less than five years will be granted 鈥減re-settled鈥� status, requiring them to reapply for permanent status.
鈥淚t鈥檚 insulting,鈥� said Bueltman.
But it seems Brexit has also tarnished the reputation of a country many Europeans once felt proud to call home.
Despite calling it a 鈥渟ad week,鈥� Weavers joked that before the referendum she would often participate in Facebook quizzes that would crown her 95 per cent British.
鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 want to do them now, because I wouldn鈥檛 want to be thought of as British,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 still really love London, but I don鈥檛 know what will happen to this country. I鈥檓 European, I have freedom of movement. I can go where I want.鈥�
Bueltman, on the other hand, said she planned to ring in Brexit at a 鈥淓urotrash鈥� party, a theme she says is fitting 鈥渂ecause we鈥檝e been treated like trash for such a long time.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 going to own this,鈥� she said.
