It works the same way in any EU country, with just the odd minor difference due to local bureaucratic procedures. I'm amazed how few people seem to inform themselves about life in their supposedly-idyllic chosen destination; so many Brits, even now, seem to think that they can just up sticks and emigrate wherever they please. The most common complaint you hear over here is why the authorities don't speak English, why there's no dole money (no, I'm NOT kidding!) - and why the supermarkets don't stock Bisto, Marmite or "proper" tea; the British migrants I've met in other countries are often exactly the same. Every country seems to have two types of British "expats": one group spend their time boozing and gossiping about other Brits, and the other would cross the street to avoid anyone who looked even vaguely like a fellow countryman.
