5 Brexit changes you need to know about

It’s finally over – kind of.

The UK and the EU have agreed to a deal and we can get on with our lives. But what will those lives look like and how will Brexit change the way we holiday, sell goods and migrate to other countries?

Discover the five big Brexit changes that you need to know about, right here.

1.    Holidaying on the Continent

You can still go on holiday to an EU country without a visa. You will be able to remain in an EU country for 90 days within every 180-day period, which is no different to the rules before Brexit (you would have to register with a local authority at the 90-day mark).

Some of the changes you should watch out for are higher mobile roaming fees and you will need a vet certificate 10 days before travel for any jet-setting cats and dogs.

You will also need at least six months left on your passport when entering an EU country, which has always been recommended.

2.    Selling to the EU

If your business sells goods to the EU, the good news is this can continue without any additional taxes and fees. The not-so-good-news is there will be lots of additional paperwork to complete. You might need special certificates and licenses to export to some nations.

Due to checks at each border, this could result in costly delays for sellers and buyers.

3.    UK Immigration Overhaul

Brexit means UK citizens no longer have the right to live and work in an EU country. But the same applies to EU nationals.

To come and live in the UK with leave to remain, they must meet a points-based immigration system which assesses the value they bring to the UK economy, such as having a specific profession or skills in short supply.

Applicants will need to apply for a skilled work visa that can cost up to £1,408 and pay a health surcharge of £624 per year.

4.    Immigrating to an EU Country

Just because you don’t have an automatic right to live and work in the EU doesn’t mean you can’t.

You can still look for a job and apply for a visa offered by one of the EU countries. You will need to meet the requirements of their rules and visas.

It is a bit of a myth that anyone could go and live and work in an EU country in the first place. You always had that right up to a point, but after 90 days you had to meet certain requirements, such as proving you had a sustainable income.

5.    Duty-Free Shopping Rules

Before Brexit, UK nationals could return from an EU country with unlimited tobacco and alcohol as long as duty was paid in the country it was purchased.

After Brexit, there will be limits on the number of goods you can bring back to the UK. However, the rules are set to be relaxed for alcohol and tobacco, enabling UK visitors to haul back up to 42 litres of beer and 200 cigarettes.

February 2021