UK Expat onward movement within the EU

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F0xgl0ve Malta Expert

Member since 11 November 2013

F0xgl0veMalta Expert07 July 2021 13:53:59

1974

Just wonder what the situation is for UK expats and whether anyone has actually tested the regulations?
A clause banning the onward movement of UK expats within the EU as part of the Brexit agreement was removed from the final agreement and the following EU directive makes it seem that UK expats who have been resident in there existing country for 5 years聽 can move to another EU country.

Article 14 of the Directive states:

鈥淎 long-term resident shall acquire the right to reside in the territory of Member States other than the one which granted him/her the long-term residence status, for a period exceeding three months, provided that the conditions set out in this chapter are met.鈥�

Those conditions are:

鈥�(a) exercise of an economic activity in an employed or self-employed capacity;
(b) pursuit of studies or vocational training;
(c) other purposes.鈥�

The 鈥榦ther purposes鈥� is not stated, so it is without limitation in its definition, and would therefore include those who relocate but who do not pursue an economic activity.

Just wondered if any UK Expat has tried moving to another EU country and retained their rights since Brexit?

RobbieSanders Member

Member since 22 April 2021

RobbieSandersMember07 July 2021 21:02:20

An interesting question. I know of no Brits who have done this though, as you point out, they do have the option. From the bits and pieces I know about the scheme, there are drawbacks.聽 For example, long term residence in one EU country is exchanged for a non-long term residence in another country. That's probably ok as a Brit covered by the Withdrawal Agreement in one EU country can anyway spend five years away from that country without losing residence rights there.
Another issue is that the scheme allows a citizen to move to another EU state but doesn't permit cross-border working.

There are also a couple of EU states that opted out of the scheme - Ireland and Denmark.

I'm sure this will work for some Brits but its not really a restoration of freedom of movement.

Like you, I'd like to find out if Brits are using this option.

F0xgl0ve Malta Expert

Member since 11 November 2013

F0xgl0veMalta Expert08 July 2021 05:56:09

1974

I am past the age when I wish to keep moving countries but it would be nice if it was possible.
There are times when we think it would be nice to live in mainland Europe to make travel easier, perhaps somewhere like southern France especially as France I believe do recognise this regulation.

SimCityAT Expert

Member since 08 April 2014

SimCityATExpert08 July 2021 07:07:00

11494

If you you wish to move to another country you have to apply for whatever visa requirement that country requires.

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