No-Deal Brexit Plans for UK Nationals Published

The situation

The Swedish government has published plans for the treatment of UK nationals residing in Sweden, to take effect after March 30, 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 12-month transition period, commencing on March 30, 2019, during which time UK nationals already residing in Sweden would be able to apply for a residence permit.
• Continued work and stay. UK nationals currently residing in Sweden would be able to continue working and staying in Sweden during this period.
• Non-EU family members. Non-EU family members of UK nationals, holding a corresponding residence permit, would similarly be able to continue staying in Sweden until March 30, 2020.
• Long-term stays. UK nationals and their non-EU family members residing in Sweden for five years or longer by March 30, 2020 would be able to apply for a permanent residence permit if eligible.
• Short-term stays. UK nationals and their non-EU family members residing in Sweden for a period shorter than five years would be able to apply for a special temporary residence permit allowing them to continue working and residing in Sweden until they reach the five-year threshold. 
• New arrivals. UK nationals arriving in Sweden until March 30, 2020 would be able to continue to register as EU nationals. Only those planning to arrive on March 31, 2020 and after would be required to apply for a local permit under the same requirements and process as non-EU nationals.

 

Impact

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 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 the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia and Spain have also announced contingency plans, with more expected soon.

Looking ahead

The legislative amendments related to this plan are expected to go into effect in July 2019.

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].