LONDON (AP) – So far, the vast majority of British and EU citizens have not heard the realities of Brexit. Although the UK left the European Union on 31 January, it follows the bloc’s rules until the end of this year as part of a transition period towards the new economic relationship.
Everything is ready to change.
On January 1, Britain begins its new most distant relationship with the EU after nearly five decades of closer economic, cultural and social integration.
The change for Britain’s economy and people has been the most dramatic since World War II, arguably more so than when the country joined what was then the European Economic Community in 1973.
“It’s a much bigger shock to our economic system and it will happen instantly,” said Anand Menon, director of the UK in a think tank on changing Europe and professor of European policy and foreign affairs at King’s College London.
“Suddenly, in early January, he wakes up in a new world.”
These are some of the changes in movement that people will begin to feel almost overnight.
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WHAT IS CHANGING?
Although the coronavirus pandemic has caused a collapse in the number of people traveling between Britain and the EU, the end of freedom of movement from 1 January will be the most tangible consequence of Brexit to date. .
Under the divorce agreement agreed by the two parties on December 24, approximately one million British citizens who are legal residents in the EU will generally have the same rights as they do now. The same applies to more than 3 million EU citizens living in the UK
But British citizens will no longer have the automatic right to live and work in the EU, and vice versa. People who want to cross the border to settle will have to follow immigration rules and face other administrative formalities, such as ensuring that their qualifications are recognized.
The exception is people moving between the UK and Ireland, who have a separate common travel area.
For many in the EU, the freedom to travel, study and live anywhere in the 27-nation bloc is one of the most attractive aspects of European integration.
However, some Britons and other parts of Western Europe became more skeptical about freedom of movement after several communist nations in Eastern Europe joined the EU in 2004 and many of its citizens they moved to the UK and other richer countries to work. Concerns about immigration were a major factor in Britain’s Brexit vote in 2016. On 1 January, the consequences of this decision will become apparent to both British and European citizens.
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WHAT ARE THE NEW TRAVEL RULES?
While traveling on holiday will remain visa-free, British citizens will only be able to spend 90 days out of every 180 in the EU, while the UK will allow European citizens to stay for up to six consecutive months.
For retired British citizens who are used to spending more than three months in their second homes on the Costa del Sol, sunny by the Spanish sun, the change can be a shock. British travelers to Europe will also need to have at least six months of passport and buy their own travel insurance. The British will stop issuing the European health insurance card, which guarantees access to health care throughout the block, but the UK says it is establishing a replacement system so that British visitors to the block and citizens of the EU visiting Britain still have medical coverage.
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WHAT ABOUT PETS?
For British citizens accustomed to bringing their dog, cat or ferret on holiday to Europe each summer, the situation will be complicated as Britain will no longer be part of the EU’s pet passport plan, although the agreement avoids the heavy procedures of months some had feared. Pet owners in the UK must have their pet microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before the trip and must obtain an animal health certificate from a veterinarian no later than 10 days before the trip. way out.
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WILL DRIVING BE A MALTA?
The agreement means British drivers will not need an international driving license once they cross the Canal. British motorists can travel to the EU with their UK licenses and insurance, as long as they carry proof that they are insured in the form of a “green card”.
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WHAT ABOUT WORKING?
The end of freedom of movement will have a major impact on recruitment at all ends of the labor market.
A British citizen recently graduated from a holiday in the Greek islands, for example, will not be able to walk to a beach bar and look for a part-time job without having the necessary visa. The same applies to European citizens arriving in the UK. They will not be able to go to a sandwich shop like Pret a Manger and look for work without the necessary documentation.
Larger companies will also find it much more difficult and expensive to hire people from the other side. The agreement includes provisions that allow contractors and business travelers to make short-term business trips without a visa.
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