No-Deal Brexit Plans for UK Nationals Published

The situation

The Czech government has published plans for the treatment of UK nationals residing in the Czech Republic, to take effect after March 29, 2019 in case of a no-deal Brexit scenario.

A closer look

The published plans include the following details:

• Transition period. There would be a 21-month transition period, commencing on March 29, 2019, during which time UK nationals already registered in the Czech Republic would be required to apply for a residence permit.
• Affected applicants. Only UK nationals currently holding an EU temporary residence certificate (Potvrzení k přechodnému pobytu pro občany EU/EEA) would be able to continue working and staying in the Czech Republic until December 30, 2020.
• Non-EU family members. Non-EU family members of UK nationals, holding a corresponding residence permit, would be able to continue staying in the Czech Republic until December 30, 2020. After this date, affected individuals would have to obtain a different permit type.
• Long-term stays. UK nationals residing in the Czech Republic for five years or longer would be able to apply for a permanent residence permit if eligible. Eligibility criteria would be the same as for non-EU applicants.
• Short-term stays. UK nationals residing in the Czech Republic for a period shorter than five years would be required to apply for a local residence permit type if eligible. Eligibility criteria would be the same as for non-EU applicants.

Impact

UK nationals who will continue to work and reside in the Czech Republic past March 29, 2019 should apply for an EU temporary residence certificate as soon as possible if they do not yet hold one.

UK nationals should also contact their local immigration offices to see if they are able to register or apply for their proper immigration status prior to Brexit Day.

Background

The plans are a part of the government’s contingency planning in case no Brexit deal is concluded between the European Union and the United Kingdom before March 29, 2019.

Other EU Member States, including Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia and Spain have also announced contingency plans, with more expected soon.

Looking ahead

Further details of the government plans have yet to be announced; all plans must receive final approval from the Czech parliament. Fragomen will provide updates on the situation as they become available.

Please contact a Fragomen immigration professional for assistance in planning contingency arrangements in a single project.

For more information, please visit Fragomen's dedicated Brexit site, which contains news, FAQs, and analysis/commentary in the form of blogs, videos, webcasts and events.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].