Tourism, business trips, higher education: citizens accustomed to movement without obstacles for more than 45 years between the United Kingdom and the European Union have to adapt since Friday to the reality of Brexit.
From 1 January, the British are now considered in the EU as nationals of a third country, no longer enjoying the freedom of movement to work, study or retire on the territory of the Union and the States partners (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland).
Britain, on the other hand, treats EU citizens like most “non-British” people.
The only difference being that those who can prove a residence in the country before the end of 2020 retain their rights, in accordance with the withdrawal agreement concluded at the end of 2019. And the converse is true for the British domiciled in the EU .
– Tourists –
British tourists will undoubtedly have to be patient when it comes to entering the EU, even if the two parties have agreed on the principle of a reciprocal visa exemption.
Their stay in the EU is limited to a maximum of 90 days over a period of 180 days.
They must prove that they are covered by insurance, have sufficient resources or have a return ticket.
Europeans for their part can enter British soil with a simple identity card until October 2021, when a passport will be required, for stays of up to six months.
But there are exceptions. Some non-European companions of an EU citizen need a visa.
Irish and UK nationals continue to enjoy full freedom of movement under a long-standing bilateral agreement.
Britons wishing to travel with their dog or cat must obtain an international health certificate no later than ten days before their stay in the EU. But the converse does not apply for Europeans, who can continue to take their animals to the UK without further formalities.
– Business travel –
The post-Brexit agreement provides that a work permit may be required depending on the activities carried out.
As a general rule, while participants in meetings, conferences, seminars, fairs, exhibitions or research work are exempt from a permit, the latter is required for activities involving the sale of goods or services to the public. However, some EU countries have additional restrictions for certain activities.
EU nationals with a job offer in the UK must prove some fluency in the language of Shakespeare, with a salary level set by law.
– Students –
No more Erasmus exchanges with Great Britain: the European program is too expensive, said Boris Johnson. Instead, UK students will be offered a global program, named after mathematician Alan Turing.
Now, European students will be required a visa for any university stay longer than six months, and will have to pay higher tuition fees – up to four times as much in medicine or for certain prestigious postgraduate degrees.
According to a study by the British Parliament, the country had 143,000 EU students in its universities during the year 2018-2019.
In 2015, international students injected 25.8 billion pounds (29 billion euros) into the economy of the United Kingdom, considered the second preferred university destination in the world after the United States.
– Immigration –
Some 1.3 million Britons currently reside in the EU. In the UK, more than 4.2 million EU citizens had applied for residence status by the end of October. Their rights are protected if they were installed before December 31, 2020.
But it is quite different for those who wish to emigrate after January 1. A points system established by Grance-Bretagne will make the settlement of Europeans much more difficult. Age, knowledge of English, financial resources will be taken into account.
And the British who want to settle in France, Spain, or Germany (their favorite destinations to work or retire) will face the same constraints as third-country nationals … health insurance, income conditions or language requirements.
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