Belgium, Ireland and other EU states have all seen a surge of interest in passport applications which have placed a huge amount of pressure on foreign ministries.
At present, there are 24,000 British expats who work in EU institutions as well as NATO, located in Brussels; with 1.3 million Brits residing in other EU countries.
Hectic morning in a Brussels completely dominated by Brexit mechanics. Meeting many UK nationals seeking Irish or other EU citizenship.
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) June 29, 2016
Brussels is not the only country that is seeing an increase in passport applications for citizenship. Ireland has urged Britons trying to get a passport to slow down after they too have seen a surge in demand.
Today's #google search volume for "move to Ireland" this morning #Brexit #UK #euro #britain #eu pic.twitter.com/4pDktn2S1Q
— Umar Javed (@itsalphals) June 24, 2016
The increased interest also stems from the desperation of UK citizens eager to retain their relationship and link with the EU.
After the Leave vote on 23 June, Google reported a huge increase in the number of UK searches of people asking to obtain an Irish passport, as well as those looking to move to Canada.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan, urged Britons to apply for Irish passports only if it was necessary, as it was putting a strain on the service. He said that freedom of movement could still be enjoyed by British passport holders within Europe until a formal exit had been negotiated.
Never mind applying for Irish passports, we want one of these!#indyref2 pic.twitter.com/uALW5sfdej
— YesLoanhead (@YesLoanhead) June 25, 2016
"The increased interest clearly points to a sense of concern among some UK passport holders that the rights they enjoy as EU citizens are about to abruptly end. I want to state clearly that this is not the case," Charlie Flanagan said.
However, this has done little to calm the nerves of prospective applicants who still believe that Brexit will have catastrophic consequences in both the short and long-term.
@Nightingale_P I'm applying on Monday for Belgian citizenship suspect many UK citizens based in EU will do the same. UK itself is finished.
— Alasdair Reid (@thegreenplace) June 24, 2016
