Brexit: Short-term travel and longer-term stays

Short-term travel

Before Brexit, aside from booking accommodation and travel arrangements, there was a limited process required for short-term business visits between the UK and EU and in many instances, the only change is to be sure you do not exceed the ‘90 days in any 180-day’ period limit. Business meetings, for example, are allowed without a visa, as are attending conferences, but not directly selling to the public. As with any business travel, it pays to ensure you have your activity, accommodation and return flight details to hand to ensure any questions can be answered with ease, along with the standard six months on your passport and adequate travel and medical insurance.

However, it is worth checking that your activity truly does fit into the visa-free travel. Situations where a visa is required are set out in the agreement, of which you can find a copy of the trade agreement here.

The table below will help guide which category the trip falls into, and some of the relevant pages to check.

It is also worth noting that some countries also have specific conditions around short-term business travel, for example, Cyprus, Spain and Poland.

Longer-term stays

As far as we know the deal does not change any proposed plans regarding settled status. That is, if you are an EU national living in the UK on 31 December, you can apply for settled status. More details can be found here.

For UK nationals currently living in the EU, information can be found here, with guidance being given on a country-by-country basis. Both scenarios will have deadlines as to when this must be done by, so if this applies to you then check this as soon as possible.

Anyone moving to the UK after 31 December will need to go through the points-based immigration system. More details can be found here. For UK nationals looking to move to the EU, again this is done on a country-by-country basis and you will need to check the relevant country embassy website.

The minimum salary for sponsoring overseas workers has been reduced substantially to £25,800 (or the minimum amount as stated on the relevant standard occupational code, whichever is higher). Further, the application fee is only £55 for those that wish to employ EEA Nationals under the points-based system, although the immigration health surcharge and skills charge remain. Dependent applications do not benefit from the fee reduction.

All of the above does not relate to Ireland. This relationship is covered under the Common Travel Area, and as such UK citizens do not need a visa or a permit to live, work or study in Ireland and vice versa.