Originally Posted by
BackPacker
Another option would be to retain your UK issued license (which will become non-EASA by Jan 1st) and seek a "validation of foreign license" from an EASA state. But the earliest you can start this process is Jan 1st, because you don't hold a "foreign license" until that date.
A validation only lasts for 12 months and is designed to allow time for a commercial pilot to convert while still working. The UK automatically authorises ICAO licences to fly UK registered aircraft for PPL VFR privileges. I am not sure which other EU countries allow similar. I will check what is acceptable here in Spain later.