Robert Murat's family say he needs to "rebuild his life"
Mr Murat, 33, says he has not heard from Portuguese detectives for two months and told the BBC the situation was "very, very difficult".
He was named an official suspect - or "arguido" - by police five months ago.
Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann, of Rothley, Leics, are also official suspects. Madeleine vanished from Praia da Luz on 3 May.
'No evidence'
Mr Murat told BBC News: "It's been five months, my savings have gone, mum's doing what she can, and it's just very, very difficult."
ARGUIDO STATUS Officially a suspect Bestowed by police or requested by individual Right to remain silent Right to a lawyer Must report to police every five days
His relative, Sally Eveleigh, added: "There's no evidence against him, he hasn't seen his daughter for over five months, he has no finances now - all his savings have gone - and he needs to rebuild his life. His life is on hold."
Mr Murat's family are hopeful there will be a reassessment of his status following the appointment of a new head of the inquiry in Portugal.
Paulo Rebelo, the deputy national director of Portuguese police, replaces Goncalo Amaral, apparently removed for criticising UK police.
Arguido status means the police have more powers but it also gives more rights to the suspect.
El británico Robert Murat, el primer acusado por el caso Madeleine, ha roto el silencio impuesto por la policía desde hace 5 meses, que le restringió el derecho a conceder entrevistas.

El joven, que vivía con su madre a 100 metros del lugar donde la pequeña Maddie desapareció el pasado 3 de mayo en Playa Da Luz (Portugal), ha hablado para las cámaras de la ''BBC'' rodeado de miembros de su familia, según publica el diario británico ''Daily Mail''.

=== Sin ahorros ===

"Han pasado 5 meses, mis ahorros se han agotado, mamá está haciendo todo lo que puede, pero esto es difícil, muy difícil", ha clamado Murat, declarado como 'argido' o sospechoso por la justicia portuguesa, haciendo un intento por remarcar su inocencia.

Su prima, Sally Eveleigh, quien regenta un hostal en el mismo pueblo, también ha hablado para las cámaras reclamando a la policía lusa que revise su implicación en el caso.

"Cinco meses en la línea de fuego, la policía no se ha vuelto a comunicar con él desde hace tres meses, y no hay ninguna evidencia en contra de él" ha declarado Sally. "El no ha visto a su hija en 5 meses" concluye.