No-Deal Brexit Plans for UK Nationals Published

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At a Glance

The Italian government has issued a decree outlining the treatment of UK nationals residing in Italy after Brexit day in case of a no-deal Brexit scenario. Central details of the plan include:

• A grace period until December 31, 2020, during which time UK nationals and their non-EU family members already residing in Italy would be able to apply for a national residence permit.
• UK nationals residing in Italy for five years or longer on Brexit day would be able to apply for an EU residence permit for long-term residents if eligible.
• UK nationals residing in Italy for four years or longer on Brexit day would be able to apply for Italian citizenship if eligible.
• UK nationals residing in Italy for a period shorter than five years on Brexit day would be required to apply for a new residence permit type which has yet to be created. Further information on the eligibility criteria and application process will be published in the coming months.

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The situation

As an update, the Italian government has issued a decree outlining the treatment of UK nationals residing in Italy, to take effect after Brexit day in case of a no-deal Brexit scenario.

A closer look

The decree includes the following details:

• Grace period. There would be a grace period until December 31, 2020, during which time UK nationals and their non-EU family members already residing in Italy would be required to apply for a national residence permit. As already confirmed, both registered residents and those with pending town hall registration or residence permit applications would benefit from the grace period.
• Continued work and stay. UK nationals currently residing in Italy would be able to continue working and staying in Italy during this period.
• Residents for over five years. UK nationals residing in Italy for five years or longer on Brexit day would be able to apply for an EU residence permit for long-term residents if eligible.
• Residents for over four years. UK nationals residing in Italy for four years or longer on Brexit day would be able to apply for Italian citizenship if eligible.

• Residence for under five years. UK nationals residing in Italy for a period shorter than five years on Brexit day would be required to apply for a new residence permit type, valid for five years, which has yet to be created. Further information on the eligibility criteria and application process will be published in the coming months.

 

Impact

UK nationals who will continue to work and reside in Italy past Brexit day should ensure that they take the necessary steps to obtain any documents required to register or apply for immigration status. 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 proposal is a part of the government’s contingency planning in case no Brexit deal is concluded between the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Many other EU countries have published contingency plans for UK nationals in case of a no-deal Brexit, with more expected soon.

 

Looking ahead

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].