Moving to the UK from the EU After Brexit

Routes EU nationals now use

EU nationals arriving after the end of free movement use the Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Global Talent, Student, family and other standard routes. The points-based system applies equally to EU and non-EU applicants. The Common Travel Area arrangements remain for Irish nationals, who continue to have unrestricted residence rights.

Short stays of up to six months are permitted without a visa for most EU nationals as standard visitors, subject to the visitor rules. The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation now applies to EU travellers; nationals must obtain ETA approval before travel under current rules.

The EU Settlement Scheme for pre-Brexit arrivals

EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 could apply to the EU Settlement Scheme for settled status (after five years' residence) or pre-settled status (under five years' residence). Late applications are still considered where there are reasonable grounds for missing the deadline.

Pre-settled status can be converted to settled status after five years of continuous residence. The Home Office has automated some conversions but applicants should still check their digital status regularly and update personal details as needed.

Practical differences from pre-Brexit migration

Family members of EU nationals no longer have automatic rights of residence. Family of those with EU Settlement Scheme status follow the EUSS family permit routes. New family applications use the standard UK family visa routes.

Recognition of professional qualifications no longer benefits from the EU mutual recognition regime. Regulated professions in the UK now assess EU qualifications under sector-specific schemes administered by the relevant UK regulator.

Travel, residence and identity documents

EU national ID cards are no longer accepted for entry to the UK for most travellers, including EU citizens visiting after free movement ended. A valid passport is required. EU Settlement Scheme holders are exempt where they can present their status digitally.

EU Settlement Scheme status is held digitally and proved via the View and prove service. The eVisa transition for other visa holders now applies in the same way for EUSS holders, with share codes used for landlord, employer and benefit checks.

EU Settlement Scheme: late applications and conversions

The EU Settlement Scheme was the primary route for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals already resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 to secure settled status (after five years of continuous UK residence) or pre-settled status (under five years). The deadline for new applications was 30 June 2021, but late applications are still considered where the applicant can show reasonable grounds for missing the deadline. The Home Office's policy on reasonable grounds is published on GOV.UK and covers categories including children, vulnerable adults, those affected by abuse, recent arrivals near the deadline and applicants with valid but late-discovered reasons.

Pre-settled status holders progress to settled status after five years of continuous UK residence. The Home Office introduced automated conversion for some pre-settled status holders following the High Court judgment in IMA v SSHD, with applicants who would otherwise need to apply for settled status receiving conversions where the data shows continued UK residence. Holders should check their UKVI account regularly and update personal details (passport renewals, address changes, marriage) through the View and prove service.

Family members joining EUSS-status holders use the EUSS family permit route. The route covers spouses, civil partners, durable partners (broadly equivalent to unmarried partners with cohabitation evidence), children under 18 and dependent parents in defined circumstances. Applications are made via GOV.UK with documents covering the relationship, the EUSS holder's status, and the applicant's identity. Decisions are made under the EUSS rules rather than the standard family visa rules.

EUSS status is held digitally rather than on a physical card; the View and prove immigration status service generates share codes for landlord, employer and benefit checks. The Right to Rent and Right to Work check guidance, published by the Home Office for landlords and employers, explains how the share code system works in practice. The digital-first approach predated the wider eVisa rollout to other visa categories.

New EU arrivals: routes and recognition

EU nationals arriving after the end of free movement use the standard UK immigration routes. Skilled Worker is the most-used route for EU professionals in sponsored employment; the same SOC code and salary tests apply equally to EU and non-EU applicants. Global Talent endorsement bodies operate on the same basis regardless of the applicant's nationality. Family route applications under Appendix FM follow the standard rules for partners of British citizens, settled persons and others with the required UK status.

Recognition of professional qualifications no longer benefits from the EU mutual recognition regime under the General System Directive and the Professional Qualifications Directive. Each UK regulator now assesses EU qualifications under its own sector-specific scheme: the General Medical Council assesses medical qualifications, the General Dental Council assesses dental qualifications, the Architects Registration Board assesses architectural qualifications, and so on. The Professional Qualifications Act 2022 sets a UK framework with the relevant regulator deciding on a case-by-case basis.

Some professions retain reciprocal arrangements with EU/EEA countries through specific treaties or post-Brexit agreements; others require additional testing or supervised practice. The Recognition of Professional Qualifications (Amendment) Regulations 2022 provide the legal basis for the post-Brexit position. Affected applicants should contact their UK regulator directly to confirm the specific assessment route.

EU university degrees are accepted by UK universities and employers under standard recognition rules. Ecctis statements of comparability are widely used where comparison with UK levels is required for visa or professional purposes. The Bologna Process degree structure (bachelor's, master's, doctoral) maps cleanly to UK levels in most cases.

Travel rules and the ETA

EU national ID cards stopped being accepted as travel documents for entry to the UK on 1 October 2021 for most travellers. A valid passport is now required for UK entry by EU nationals. The narrow exemptions include EU Settlement Scheme status holders (who can use their digital status to evidence entry rights) and certain frontier worker permit holders.

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation has been rolled out to EU and EEA nationals during 2024-2025 phases. ETA is required for short visits of up to six months for tourism, business meetings, short academic courses and other permitted visitor activities. The ETA is applied for via the UK ETA app or GOV.UK before travel and is valid for multiple visits over the period in the rule or until the passport expires.

Frontier workers from the EU who were working in the UK by 31 December 2020 but living abroad can use the Frontier Worker Permit to continue working in the UK without relocating. The permit is held digitally; renewal applies under the rules in force at the time of the application. New frontier worker arrangements after 31 December 2020 are not available; applicants who started cross-border work after that date use the standard Skilled Worker route if sponsored.

Irish citizens are not affected by the ETA scheme. Under the Common Travel Area arrangements and the Ireland Act 1949, Irish citizens have unrestricted residence rights in the UK without any immigration permission. The Common Travel Area predates EU free movement and continues independently after Brexit.

Family of EU nationals: new applications

Non-EU family members of EU nationals who did not move to the UK by 31 December 2020 cannot use the EU Settlement Scheme family routes. Their applications use the standard UK family visa routes under Appendix FM (partners of EU nationals who have obtained UK status as a settled person), or the standard work and study routes where the family member has independent eligibility.

Where the EU national parent has settled or pre-settled status, children born or adopted after 31 December 2020 can join under the EUSS in certain circumstances. The rules distinguish between children where the EU national parent is settled (children can apply at any time) and where the EU national parent is pre-settled (children must apply with the parent or before the parent's pre-settled status expires).

Surinder Singh family members (non-EU family of British citizens who exercised EU free movement rights before the UK left the EU) had a transitional route under the EUSS until specific deadlines. Most Surinder Singh cases are now resolved through EUSS grants or have moved to other routes; new applications under the principle are not available after the cut-off.

The Zambrano right to remain (non-EU primary carers of British citizen children who would otherwise be forced to leave the EU) continues to operate under domestic UK law after Brexit, with applications under the appropriate Home Office guidance. The route's evidential requirements are demanding; specialist advice is the norm.

Post-Brexit practical EU-UK arrangements

Driving licences: EU licences continue to be recognised for driving in the UK for short stays. EU residents settling in the UK can typically exchange their EU licence for a UK licence under direct exchange arrangements (no testing required for most EU/EEA licences). The DVLA handles the exchange.

Professional qualifications: each profession's UK regulator now assesses EU qualifications under sector-specific schemes. Medical (GMC), dental (GDC), architectural (ARB), legal (SRA), accounting (ICAEW/ACCA) each have their own assessment routes. Some retain partial EU recognition; others require fuller assessment.

Pensions: EU pensions continue to be payable in the UK regardless of the holder's EU country of origin. The UK-EU social security coordination regulations (retained under specific arrangements) cover totalisation in some cases. State pensions from EU countries are typically paid in pounds sterling to UK accounts.

Frontier workers: those working in the UK but living in an EU country can use the Frontier Worker Permit (where they were doing so before the end of free movement). New cross-border work since the end of the transition period uses the standard Skilled Worker route with sponsorship from the UK employer.

EU/UK cross-border tax position after Brexit

Statutory Residence Test (SRT): determines UK tax residence on a year-by-year basis. The automatic overseas tests, automatic UK tests, and sufficient ties tests in Schedule 45 FA 2013 give the framework.

Split-year treatment: applies to the year of departure or arrival where conditions are met. Cases 1-8 cover the specific scenarios; the year is treated as part UK (resident) and part overseas (non-resident).

Double Taxation Treaty: bilateral agreement between the UK and the country of residence allocates taxing rights and provides relief. Most DTTs use the credit method; the UK or country of residence taxes with credit for tax paid in the other.

Non-resident UK tax: continues on UK-source income (rental, pensions, property gains) after departure. UK dividends and interest are typically subject to disregarded income rules with no UK tax for non-residents.

Temporary non-residence: gains realised during absence of less than 5 complete tax years can be brought back into UK tax on return. Planning the absence period and the timing of gains is part of cross-border tax strategy.

Using GOV.UK and official sources effectively

GOV.UK as the primary source: the UK government's single online portal for most public services. Immigration Rules, caseworker guidance, current fees and IHS rates, application forms, and updates are all on GOV.UK. The site is the authoritative reference for any current rule or process.

Subscribing to updates: GOV.UK allows email subscriptions to specific topics including immigration. Updates arrive when guidance is amended or new Statements of Changes are published. Practitioners and engaged applicants commonly subscribe.

Statements of Changes (SoCs): published on GOV.UK as PDF documents. Each SoC has a HC number identifying it; recent SoCs HC 590 of 2023, HC 1496 of 2023, HC 246 of 2024 introduced significant changes. The consolidated Immigration Rules on GOV.UK reflect the current text after all SoCs.

Modernised caseworker guidance: published separately from the Rules. Covers practical application; not binding but highly influential. Updates flow through new versions with effective dates.

ONS, HMRC and other primary data: GOV.UK aggregates data from across government. ONS migration statistics, HMRC tax and customs data, sectoral statistics from departments. The data underlies policy decisions and is publicly accessible.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about UK immigration, tax and consumer matters and is not legal, financial or tax advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change. Always check GOV.UK and the relevant UK regulator before acting, and consider taking professional advice tailored to individual circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still move to the UK from the EU without a visa?

No. Free movement between the EU and the UK ended on 31 December 2020 at the end of the Brexit transition period. EU nationals arriving from 1 January 2021 must use the standard UK immigration routes such as Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Student or family. Short visits of up to six months remain visa-free for most EU nationals, but now require an Electronic Travel Authorisation under the ETA rollout. The Irish citizen position is different: under the Common Travel Area arrangements, Irish citizens have unrestricted UK residence rights without any immigration permission.

What if I was living in the UK before Brexit?

EU, EEA and Swiss nationals resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 should hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The application deadline was 30 June 2021, but late applications are still considered where reasonable grounds for missing the deadline can be shown. The Home Office's policy on reasonable grounds covers categories including children, vulnerable adults, those affected by abuse, and recent arrivals near the deadline. Pre-settled status holders progress to settled status after five years of continuous UK residence, with some automated conversions following the IMA judgment.

Are Irish citizens treated differently from other EU nationals?

Yes. Ireland and the UK maintain the Common Travel Area, predating EU free movement and continuing independently after Brexit. Under the Ireland Act 1949 and the Common Travel Area arrangements, Irish citizens have unrestricted residence rights in the UK without immigration permission. Irish nationals do not need to apply for any UK immigration status, do not need an ETA for visits, and do not need a visa for work, study or family migration. The right runs in both directions: British citizens have equivalent rights in Ireland.

Can I use my EU national ID card to enter the UK?

Generally no. National ID cards stopped being accepted as travel documents for UK entry for most travellers on 1 October 2021. A valid passport is required. The narrow exceptions include EU Settlement Scheme status holders (who can use their digital status to evidence entry rights at the border) and certain frontier worker permit holders. The change was part of the broader UK exit from EU free movement and aligns UK border practice with the rest of the world's standard reliance on passports for international travel.

Does my EU professional qualification still work in the UK?

The automatic mutual recognition regime under the General System Directive no longer applies. UK regulators in each profession now assess EU qualifications under their own sector-specific schemes: the General Medical Council for medical qualifications, the General Dental Council for dental qualifications, the Architects Registration Board for architectural qualifications, and so on. The Professional Qualifications Act 2022 provides the UK framework. Architects, doctors, lawyers, dentists, veterinary surgeons, accountants and other regulated professionals should check directly with their UK regulator for the specific assessment route and any additional testing or supervised practice required.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still move to the UK from the EU without a visa?

No. Free movement between the EU and the UK ended on 31 December 2020 at the end of the Brexit transition period. EU nationals arriving from 1 January 2021 must use the standard UK immigration routes such as Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Student or family. Short visits of up to six months remain visa-free for most EU nationals, but now require an Electronic Travel Authorisation under the ETA rollout. The Irish citizen position is different: under the Common Travel Area arrangements, Irish citizens have unrestricted UK residence rights without any immigration permission.

What if I was living in the UK before Brexit?

EU, EEA and Swiss nationals resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 should hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The application deadline was 30 June 2021, but late applications are still considered where reasonable grounds for missing the deadline can be shown. The Home Office's policy on reasonable grounds covers categories including children, vulnerable adults, those affected by abuse, and recent arrivals near the deadline. Pre-settled status holders progress to settled status after five years of continuous UK residence, with some automated conversions following the IMA judgment.

Are Irish citizens treated differently from other EU nationals?

Yes. Ireland and the UK maintain the Common Travel Area, predating EU free movement and continuing independently after Brexit. Under the Ireland Act 1949 and the Common Travel Area arrangements, Irish citizens have unrestricted residence rights in the UK without immigration permission. Irish nationals do not need to apply for any UK immigration status, do not need an ETA for visits, and do not need a visa for work, study or family migration. The right runs in both directions: British citizens have equivalent rights in Ireland.

Can I use my EU national ID card to enter the UK?

Generally no. National ID cards stopped being accepted as travel documents for UK entry for most travellers on 1 October 2021. A valid passport is required. The narrow exceptions include EU Settlement Scheme status holders (who can use their digital status to evidence entry rights at the border) and certain frontier worker permit holders. The change was part of the broader UK exit from EU free movement and aligns UK border practice with the rest of the world's standard reliance on passports for international travel.

Does my EU professional qualification still work in the UK?

The automatic mutual recognition regime under the General System Directive no longer applies. UK regulators in each profession now assess EU qualifications under their own sector-specific schemes: the General Medical Council for medical qualifications, the General Dental Council for dental qualifications, the Architects Registration Board for architectural qualifications, and so on. The Professional Qualifications Act 2022 provides the UK framework. Architects, doctors, lawyers, dentists, veterinary surgeons, accountants and other regulated professionals should check directly with their UK regulator for the specific assessment route and any additional testing or supervised practice required.