Countries / Territories
- 🌐
Related content
Related offices
Related content
Related offices
Related content
On 30 January 2019, the European Commission proposed a set of contingency measures in the event of a no-deal Brexit. These measures will be adopted unilaterally by the EU.
The Commission has consistently made clear that the rights of EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU are a priority. They should not pay the price for Brexit. Today's proposal aims to ensure that in a no-deal scenario, the entitlements of those people who exercised their right to free movement before the UK's withdrawal are safeguarded. These entitlements include periods of insurance, (self) employment or residence in the UK before withdrawal. For example, this means that if an EU27 citizen worked for 10 years in the UK before Brexit, this period should be taken into account when his/her pension rights are calculated by the competent authorities in the EU member state where he/she retires.
The proposed regulation ensures that member states continue applying the core principles of EU social security coordination, namely the principles of equality of treatment, assimilation, and aggregation. However, the proposal by no means replicates the significant advantages of the Withdrawal Agreement, as agreed on 14 November, 2018. It does not cover rights accumulated after 29 March 2019, nor does it cover the exportability of cash benefits, the continuous provision of medical care and the rules on applicable legislation.
Key Points
One set of measures concerns the protection of UK and EU citizens' social security rights:
The European Commission clearly distinguishes the no-deal scenario from the deal scenario, in which case all basic principles of the EU regulations on the coordination of social security systems would continue to apply during the transition period (until 31 December 2020).
Conclusion
The European Commission will work together with the EU Parliament and Council in order to draft a regulation including the proposed measures that should enter into force as of 30 March 2019 in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
For any social security related questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Countries / Territories
- 🌐
Related content
Related offices
Related content
Related offices
Related content
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Schwarz highlights how US visa appointment backlogs and limited availability for B visas are shaping international travel planning for the upcoming World Cup.
Article
Knowledge Management Manager Annabelle Duchêne explores how Europe’s prolonged reliance on Temporary Protection Status has created legal and workforce uncertainty and why clear, structured exit pathways are now essential for employers and displaced individuals alike.
Article
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how Saudi Arabia’s evolving Premium Residency framework and newly expanded foreign property ownership rules are reshaping the Kingdom’s appeal for internationally mobile professionals, global employers and institutional investors.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Olga Nechita outlines key Portuguese visa options for UK nationals, including routes for entrepreneurs and retirees, alongside basic income and residency requirements.
Video
Partner Melissa Vasquez-Myers reviews the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, including retrogression for EB2 and EB1 India and forward movement in the EB3 category for Indian and Chinese nationals.
Media mentions
Awards
Canada Managing Partner Cosmina Morariu is recognized by Women We Admire among the Top Women Leaders of Toronto for 2026 for her leadership in immigration and global mobility.
Video
Senior Manager Harry Goldstraw outlines key considerations for UK employers hiring international talent, including sponsorship requirements, visa pathways and compliance obligations shaping workforce mobility strategy.
Article
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons examines how the EU’s proposed social security reforms are reshaping A1 compliance for business travel, introducing “Day One” requirements and greater complexity.
Awards
Fragomen is recognized with multiple honors at the 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs, including Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management as a Service Provider and Thought Leadership – Best Survey or Research Study of the Year for the Worldwide Immigration Trends Report 2026.
Blog post
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.
Visas
Manager Dr. Adela Schmidt explains how German authorities assess past travel and business activities and why suspected unauthorized work during prior visits can lead to visa refusals and temporary entry bans.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Schwarz highlights how US visa appointment backlogs and limited availability for B visas are shaping international travel planning for the upcoming World Cup.
Article
Knowledge Management Manager Annabelle Duchêne explores how Europe’s prolonged reliance on Temporary Protection Status has created legal and workforce uncertainty and why clear, structured exit pathways are now essential for employers and displaced individuals alike.
Article
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how Saudi Arabia’s evolving Premium Residency framework and newly expanded foreign property ownership rules are reshaping the Kingdom’s appeal for internationally mobile professionals, global employers and institutional investors.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Olga Nechita outlines key Portuguese visa options for UK nationals, including routes for entrepreneurs and retirees, alongside basic income and residency requirements.
Video
Partner Melissa Vasquez-Myers reviews the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, including retrogression for EB2 and EB1 India and forward movement in the EB3 category for Indian and Chinese nationals.
Media mentions
Awards
Canada Managing Partner Cosmina Morariu is recognized by Women We Admire among the Top Women Leaders of Toronto for 2026 for her leadership in immigration and global mobility.
Video
Senior Manager Harry Goldstraw outlines key considerations for UK employers hiring international talent, including sponsorship requirements, visa pathways and compliance obligations shaping workforce mobility strategy.
Article
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons examines how the EU’s proposed social security reforms are reshaping A1 compliance for business travel, introducing “Day One” requirements and greater complexity.
Awards
Fragomen is recognized with multiple honors at the 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs, including Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management as a Service Provider and Thought Leadership – Best Survey or Research Study of the Year for the Worldwide Immigration Trends Report 2026.
Blog post
Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.
Visas
Manager Dr. Adela Schmidt explains how German authorities assess past travel and business activities and why suspected unauthorized work during prior visits can lead to visa refusals and temporary entry bans.