Brexit

The HR international department is very aware of the many questions regarding Brexit, and is awaiting the outcome of the political debate in the UK that is still ongoing.

Whether the United Kingdom (UK) will leave the European Union (EU), and how exactly, is still unknown.

The EU and the UK have negotiated a draft withdrawal agreement (deal). This provides, for example, that you can continue to live and work in the Netherlands after Brexit. However, the British parliament has not approved this agreement. It is still not clear whether there will be a Brexit with an agreement (deal/soft) or without (no deal/hard). Find more information about the negotiation process and interim agreements.

We do know that the consequences of a Brexit will certainly have impact on all British people coming to or staying in The Netherlands. And we try to keep you informed.

Transition scheme and personal letter

The Dutch government has announced that a transitional period until April 2020 will come into place for all British citizens who are lawfully resident in the Netherlands on 29 March (and registered in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP)). The IND sent a personal letter to all British registered and known in the week of 14 January, explaining what the Brexit entails for them. The information is also given on the IND Brexit webpages. In principle the Dutch government has decided to allow British citizens and their family members to remain entitled to live, work and study in the Netherlands for at least another 15 months.

In our estimation it will surely become more difficult to live in one country (i.e. resident in UK), and -temporarily- work in another (The Netherlands). Even though there is a 15 month ‘bridge period’ for current British citizens, and legislation that won’t make it too difficult for newcoming researchers to come the Netherlands, newcoming professional services staff will have to face requirements for highly skilled migrants, amongst which (high) salary criteria. The bilateral tax treaty between the UK and The Netherlands will not (yet?) be changed. For those UK citizens living and working in the Netherlands, the Dutch social security system will prevail. However, when you partly work or live in the UK, the consequences for your social security coverage are not clear yet. It will be influenced by the agreement under which the Brexit will take place. That the Dutch law system will likely prevail in most employment relationships could have consequences for social security premium payments: in some cases premiums may have to be paid in both UK and The Netherlands, making it unattractive for some people to reside in one country and work in another. An article (in Dutch) tries to describe what employers may expect. The current inconclusive situation makes it impossible, however, to estimate the effects to any individual.

What can you do to prepare yourself for a no deal/hard Brexit?

Registration in the Municipal Personal Records Database – make sure you are registered with the municipality on your Dutch address.
DigiD – register for a DigiD (https://www.digid.nl/en)
Register yourself with mijnoverheid.nl – this is where you will receive online mail from the Dutch government about your situation and where you can apply online for a residence permit.
Dutch Bankaccount – in order to apply for your residence permit, you will need to pay a small fee through ‘Ideal’, which can only be paid from a Dutch bank account.
Drivers licence – as EU citizen you can transpose your driving licence to a Dutch driving licence relatively easy. After a hard Brexit, this will not be the case anymore. Furthermore you will no longer be allowed to drive indefinitely in the Netherlands. It is advisable you explore your options in time.
UK passport expiry date – make sure your UK passport is still valid for at least 6 months at the time of the Brexit.
Once the Brexit has been effectuated, you can ask HR International for advice on your residence status hr.international@eur.nl.

What does the EUR need from you after a hard Brexit?
In case of a no-deal Brexit, if you live in the Netherlands, the EUR needs proof of your legal stay in the Netherlands. If you live in another country, the EUR needs proof of your connection to the EUR before the Brexit.
You are welcome to provide us with documents before the Brexit has taken place, but you will be asked to do so when a hard Brexit has taken place. Proof can consist of:

A copy of another EU passport, if you have dual nationality.
A copy of your temporary residence permit in the form of a letter sent by the IND.
For those working for the EUR but not living in the Netherlands, we need proof that you were already connected to the EUR before the Brexit – in most cases we already have these documents.

Websites about Brexit that are regularly updated

Dutch immigration office – Find out more about the possible consequences of Brexit and your legal right to residence and what you can do now.
Dutch immigration office – Follow the Brexit related newsflashes
Brexit Information Point Amsterdam - A more general desk providing information: the Brexit Information Point (A’dam Zuid/World Trade Centre).
British Consulate General - maintains regularly updated information on Brexit.
Brexit Preparedness – a European Commission website to help citizens and organisations to prepare for Brexit.

Questions?

Do you have questions about your right of residence? Call the IND Brexit information line: +31 (0)88 04 30410. This number can be reached from Monday to Friday from 09.00 am to 17.00 pm.