Sounds like a good plan
You may know this, Nortada, but not everyone will:
In the 'divorce' phase of Brexit negotiations last December, it was agreed that UK nationals formally resident in an EU27 state would retain that right at the time of Brexit. The right would be limited to the EU state of residence and would not represent full freedom of movement: Schengen '3 months in 6' terms would apply for the rest of the EU, although some powerful voices within Brussels expressed the hope that it would be extended.
('Time of Brexit' wasn't quite pinned down: the UK regarded it as March 2019; the EU as the end of any transition period.)
Regarding your other point about exceptions to Schengen visa terms on the part of individual EU countries: this is a fact. In most cases it hinges on obligations created by older treaties by the member state in question.
A few other random thoughts generated by my own experience:
Health insurance is another unresolved concern. David Davies stated a year or more ago that the UK gov desired to remain within the EEA EHIC scheme. This was formally reiterated in the white paper agreed at Chequers recently. (Granted, that has been widely trashed both in the UK and EU27, but it remains the nearest the UK has to a stated policy.) To the best of my knowledge there has been no opposition to that expressed by EU representatives. However, even those tentative desires may well not survive a no-deal brexit.
Also on the subject of healthcare, but for anyone considering formal EU residence: if EHIC rights survive, so will pensioners' Form S1 entitlement to national health service rights in the country of residence. This also acts as a guarantee of UK NHS entitlement for non-UK resident Brits, without time limit. (It may even survive for existing S1 holders in the event of a no-EHIC Brexit.) I recall reading on here that the S1 application process is a something of an ordeal in Portugal. I wouldn't know about that, but found it both straightforward and worthwhile in Italy. Since it's free, I'd urge anyone considering re-locating to explore it.
Driving licences: full UK driving licences can currently be exchanged as of right for local ones by new residents in the EU28. That may end next March. So, unless you plan on taking a test in a language you're not very fluent, which you'll probably fail, get your local licence before then.
As ever, the bottom line for most of these issues is to wet a digit and hold it up to the breeze. Or simply hold up a digit to your culprit of choice
Finally, well done for seeking a fact-based run-down on Brexit. I have my doubts that it will remain that way but hope for the best,
No reason at all. Nor would they be eligible for such an exchange. On the other hand, a UK driving licence may not be applied for or renewed by anyone not resident in the UK.
Up to Brexit, yes. But quite possibly not post-Brexit. Hence my suggestion that anyone becoming resident in the EU27 apply before then.
As Graham wrote, that was by no means universally so, and still isn't. UK licence holders may need an International Driving Permit to drive in the EU27. IDP is regulated under treaty (the Geneva Convention, no less) and may only be issued by a person's country of residence. This would put in a bit of a pickle anyone domiciled in, say, Germany with only a UK licence but wishing to drive in a country where IDP was required.
Although moves to establish ICC originated in the EC, it was and remains established under UN Treaty. So nothing to do with EU membership.
