Portugal/United Kingdom/Czech Republic: Post-Brexit Permit Issuance Delays

Portuguese authorities are not yet issuing biometric residence permit cards to UK citizens with residence rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. UK citizens who only have temporary proof of residence (and not a biometric residence permit card, which confers Schengen travel rights and is recognized outside Portugal) may face travel and entry issues into other Schengen countries since the temporary proof of residence is not recognized outside Portugal. The delay in issuance is the result of Portugal’s struggle with ongoing appointment scheduling issues and a pending reorganization of its immigration authorities, which was scheduled to occur in July 2021 but is still pending due to pandemic-related delays. It is not yet confirmed when either issue will be resolved. No similar issues are being reported by other EU countries, although Czech authorities are reminding UK citizens with residence status under the Withdrawal Agreement to exchange their interim permit, issued before Brexit, to an updated residence permit card format by August 31, 2022, at the latest.