The European Parliament has published a report outlining how Brexit will affect the normal person in the EU and UK. Brexit, which has been provisionally applied since 1 January 2021, is now in the headlines worldwide as it means the separation of the United Kingdom from the EU.
The changes for citizens of both parties are as follows:
Travelling
UK citizens can stay in the EU for 90 days within a 180-day period without needing a visa.
UK citizens, however, can no longer use the EU’s fast track passport controls and customs lanes. In addition, they will need to present a return ticket, proof of enough funds for their stay, and have at least six months left on their passport.
EU citizens visiting the UK can stay for up to 6 months without a visa and will need to present a valid passport upon arrival.
Living and working in the EU or UK
Both UK citizens living and working in the EU or EU citizens living and working in the UK are allowed to stay where they are and continue working, given that they registered and were granted settlement permits by the authorities of either party.
UK citizens not already working and living in the EU no longer have the right to do so and will now be subject to possible restrictions.
UK citizens wanting to stay in the EU for more than 90 days will need to meet the EU’s requirements for entry and stay for people from outside the EU. This rule also applies to UK citizens who have a second home in the EU.
People from the EU wanting to move to the UK for a stay longer than 6 months or for work will need to go through the proper channels in the UK government to obtain permission.
Erasmus
The UK will no longer be participating in the Erasmus or Erasmus+ exchange programs, meaning that EU students will no longer be able to participate in the program in the UK. Students from Northern Ireland, however, can still take part.
Trade in goods and services
Goods exchanged between the UK and EU will not be subject to tariffs or quotas.
There are, however, new procedures for moving goods to and from the UK as trade is now subject to international market rules and the UK’s own regulations. This could mean that trade could become more difficult in the future.
These new rules do not apply to trade of goods and services between Northern Ireland and the EU.
In addition, UK companies will need to establish themselves in the EU, as they will no longer have the right to operate across the EU.
Brexit is still not completely finalized
Brexit, although it is now officially being executed, has still not been finalized completely.
This is because the European Parliament must now scrutinize every detail of the agreements between the UK and the EU.
In effect, Brexit has been provisionally applied, but is still awaiting approval by the Parliament before the deal is done.
After the Parliament is finished reviewing the agreements, they will vote on it during a plenary session.
