Thousands of British expatriates have learned to love the pleasure the Portuguese sunshine and the easier lifestyle, but with the so called "Brexit" on the horizon, a cloud of uncertainty is taking shape in the Algarve's blue skies. What will happen if Britain votes to leave the European Union in a June referendum?

The UK and Portugal are both part of the 28 countries making up the bloc.

EU laws stipulate that the bloc's citizens have the same rights as those nationals in any other member nation.

The impending ballot has brought questions and concerns for the British expats about what might happen if they no longer belong to the EU.

Would the so-called 'Brexit' bring different rules for their property ownerships and taxation, as well as inheritance rights?

Will British expats still be entitled to local welfare benefits and free public health services?

Would they still be able to have automatic residence and work permits?

In Vilamoura, where many expatriates live in extensive condominiums, the Lawn Bowls green showcases one of Britain's most genteel sports.

The Vilamoura Lawn Bowls Club has around 40 members who play three-hour games, and there is enough interest in the sport from Britons living along Portugal's southern Algarve coastline to sustain eight lawn bowls clubs which now play in two leagues.

For John Hewitson, who retired out here with his wife 15 years ago and lives off his British old-age pension, the immediate worry is the exchange rate.

The British pound has weakened recently as markets fret over the referendum.

If sterling drops to parity with the shared euro currency, which Portugal uses, it "would be a disaster for pensioners," he says.

Campaigners who want the UK out of the EU say they are fed up with, among other things, immigrants having access to often overstretched British welfare benefits and public services.

The House of Commons library calculates there are around three (m) million EU migrants living in the UK.

Peter Booker, who retired with his schoolteacher wife to Tavira in the eastern Algarve 17 years ago after a three-decade career in the British coal industry, founded the Algarve History Association, which encourages expatriates to learn about Portugal.

Booker rejects the benefits argument, saying reciprocity is fair and right.

He said he benefits in Portugal ... and the Portuguese benefit in Britain. That, he said, is right and it should remain like that.

Sheila MacDonald a retired Scottish woman, lives in Tavira Garden, a condominium set around a large swimming pool, in the town of the same name, that is home to dozens of expatriates.

She came for the healthy climate and belongs to expat clubs that study books, music and archaeology.

She worries about welfare and "this whole business of 'no welfare for people who are emigrating into Great Britain," and asks about the "Brits who have emigrated into the EU."

Sixty-year-old Michael Wood says the Portuguese Health Service has been a good friend to him as well, with prices "next to nothing" when compared to Britain.

Wood does not consider returning anytime soon.

"Why? Why would I want to?" He says with a smile.

Britain's House of Commons library estimates there are roughly 1.2 (m) million British migrants living in other EU countries, especially France, Spain and Portugal.

Analysts reckon, however, the true number could be at least double that and maybe a lot more because many people don't bother registering with their embassies or local authorities.

Thousands of British expatriates have learned to love the pleasure the Portuguese sunshine and the easier lifestyle, but with the so called "Brexit" on the horizon, a cloud of uncertainty is taking shape in the Algarve's blue skies. What will happen if Britain votes to leave the European Union in a June referendum?

The UK and Portugal are both part of the 28 countries making up the bloc.

EU laws stipulate that the bloc's citizens have the same rights as those nationals in any other member nation.

The impending ballot has brought questions and concerns for the British expats about what might happen if they no longer belong to the EU.

Would the so-called 'Brexit' bring different rules for their property ownerships and taxation, as well as inheritance rights?

Will British expats still be entitled to local welfare benefits and free public health services?

Would they still be able to have automatic residence and work permits?

In Vilamoura, where many expatriates live in extensive condominiums, the Lawn Bowls green showcases one of Britain's most genteel sports.

The Vilamoura Lawn Bowls Club has around 40 members who play three-hour games, and there is enough interest in the sport from Britons living along Portugal's southern Algarve coastline to sustain eight lawn bowls clubs which now play in two leagues.

For John Hewitson, who retired out here with his wife 15 years ago and lives off his British old-age pension, the immediate worry is the exchange rate.

The British pound has weakened recently as markets fret over the referendum.

If sterling drops to parity with the shared euro currency, which Portugal uses, it "would be a disaster for pensioners," he says.

Campaigners who want the UK out of the EU say they are fed up with, among other things, immigrants having access to often overstretched British welfare benefits and public services.

The House of Commons library calculates there are around three (m) million EU migrants living in the UK.

Peter Booker, who retired with his schoolteacher wife to Tavira in the eastern Algarve 17 years ago after a three-decade career in the British coal industry, founded the Algarve History Association, which encourages expatriates to learn about Portugal.

Booker rejects the benefits argument, saying reciprocity is fair and right.

He said he benefits in Portugal ... and the Portuguese benefit in Britain. That, he said, is right and it should remain like that.

Sheila MacDonald a retired Scottish woman, lives in Tavira Garden, a condominium set around a large swimming pool, in the town of the same name, that is home to dozens of expatriates.

She came for the healthy climate and belongs to expat clubs that study books, music and archaeology.

She worries about welfare and "this whole business of 'no welfare for people who are emigrating into Great Britain," and asks about the "Brits who have emigrated into the EU."

Sixty-year-old Michael Wood says the Portuguese Health Service has been a good friend to him as well, with prices "next to nothing" when compared to Britain.

Wood does not consider returning anytime soon.

"Why? Why would I want to?" He says with a smile.

Britain's House of Commons library estimates there are roughly 1.2 (m) million British migrants living in other EU countries, especially France, Spain and Portugal.

Analysts reckon, however, the true number could be at least double that and maybe a lot more because many people don't bother registering with their embassies or local authorities.

Vilamoura - 1 March 2016

1. Pensioners playing a game of bowls known as 'woods' at the lawn bowls green of Vilamoura

2. Players and score board marker

3. Set up shot for pensioner John Hewitson

4. SOUNDBITE (English) John Hewitson, 73-year-old pensioner:

"All pensions are paid into the UK and it comes out here in Euros. We went through a good patch and then we come through a bad patch. I think if UK did come out of the Eurozone (referring to the European Union) I think it would mean that the pound is fluctuating again quite a lot before it stabilises and it could stabilise the wrong way and go nearer the one to one, I suppose, which would be a disaster for the pensioners."

5. Wide of lawn bowls green

Albufeira - 1 March 2016

6. Pan from ocean to beach

7. Various of restaurants in downtown Albufeira

8. Sign reading "English Breakfast"

9. Set up shot for pensioner Michael Wood pulling a pint

10. Close of pint of beer

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Wood, 60-year-old pensioner and pub owner:

"I go to see the doctor and it costs me five Euros. I go to the Emergency and it costs me 15 Euros. I don't mind paying five Euros or 15 Euros because you know you're going to get seen straight away, within half-an-hour or maybe within an hour. You're not sitting there for eight or nine hours and if it is an emergency you're straight in anyway. And of course the cost of prescriptions - next to nothing, really."

12. Close of logo on Wood's shirt

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Wood, 60-year-old pensioner and pub owner:

"People say, 'would you ever go back to England?' I say, 'Why?' Why would I want to? I'm quite happy here."

Tavira - 2 March 2016

14. Sign of Tavira Garden, residential and holiday complex

15. Mid of swimming pool

16. Set up shot for pensioner Sheila MacDonald

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Sheila MacDonald, 79-year-old Pensioner:

"We're concerned about GP services here. Are we going to be entitled to it? In theory, if they are going to prevent this whole business of 'no welfare for people who are emigrating into Great Britain', then what about the Brits who have emigrated into the EU?"

Olhao - 2 March 2016

18. Various of Olhao dock

19. Set up shot for pensioner Peter Booker

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Peter Booker, pensioner and founder of Algarve History Association:

"The agreements with the European Union mean free movement of labour and people within the Union. I don't see what's wrong with that happening. I benefit here in Portugal, Portuguese benefit in Britain and I think that that is right, it should remain like that and I don't see any justification for altering those rules."

21. Various of news stand with British papers

Albufeira - 1 March 2016

22. Various of Albufeira beach