With a new Prime Minster being installed in Downing Street the following day, the Ambassador was in no position to give any clear guidelines.
Despite that, her advice on several important issues was appreciated by the 300 concerned UK expats at the Auditorium of Santa Casa da Misericórdia in São Brás de Alportel on Tuesday afternoon.
She assured the audience that every effort would be made by Her Majesty’s government to ensure that their interests were addressed in Brexit negotiations but in the interim period there was no cause for concern.
There would probably be at least two years of the status quo whilst the EU and Britain sorted out an exit strategy. Immigration and the freedom of movement were major concerns with some 30,000 expats living in Portugal and between 200,000 and 300,000 Portuguese nationals residing in the UK.
Personal taxation should not be an issue as there is a bilateral agreement in place which is not within the remit of the EU.
Mrs Hayes stressed it would be beneficial for people, who have not done so, to take out residency and also register with their local medical centre.
The Ambassador promised to return to the Algarve in the late autumn when she should be in a better position to brief residents.
The UK Embassy and consular staff will continue to protect the rights of British subjects in Portugal as well as keeping expats informed of developments via the UK government website and the British Embassy Lisbon, Facebook site.