Filenews 20 December 2020 - by Theano Thiopoulou
With the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, the EU's relationship with the UK is changing and new data is being created. "F" tries to answer the key questions that concern those Cypriots living in the UK and those Britons living in Cyprus and how their lives will change either by agreement or without agreement.
A key issue is ending the free movement of European citizens to Britain and vice versa. The Johnson government has presented the new immigration system with effect from 1 January based on the allocation of would-be immigrants according to their level of vocational training, status or salary and with the necessary condition of knowledge of English and the offer of a position by an approved employer. This system excludes low-skilled and unskilled workers.
Cypriots living in the United Kingdom
- Can I live and work in the UK after Brexit?
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal there will be a transition period from exit day until 31 December 2020. During this period, EU rules and regulations will continue to apply to the UK, which means that your current situation will not change. In addition, the Withdrawal Agreement guarantees the right to continue to live and work in the UK for all citizens who currently live and work in the UK and enjoy their rights under EU law.
In the event of a "no deal" Brexit, the UK is responsible for national legislation in this area. The United Kingdom has published a series of policy documents and "no deal" communications covering such a scenario. According to them, the UK intends to safeguard the rights of EU citizens living and working in the UK on a large scale, as provided for in the withdrawal agreement.
- Can I bring family members to live with me in the UK after Brexit?
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal there will be a transition period from exit day until 31 December 2020. During this period, EU rules and regulations will continue to apply in the UK. It will be possible to bring children born into existing relationships after this transition period to live with you in the UK.
In the event of a "no deal" Brexit, the UK is responsible for national legislation in this area. The United Kingdom has published a series of policy documents and "no deal" communications covering such a scenario. According to them, the UK intends to safeguard the rights of EU citizens living and working in the UK on a large scale, as provided for in the withdrawal agreement.
- Do I have to register in the UK before or after Brexit?
If you have already lived in the UK before Brexit, you must apply for a "settlement status" (if you have lived in the UK for more than 5 years) or a "pre-establishment status" (if you have lived in the UK for less than 5 years). You must submit your application by June 30, 2021.
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal and you travel to the UK after Brexit and plan to stay for more than 3 months, you will have to register with the UK Authorities. A separate registration system is created for this purpose.
In the event of a "no deal" Brexit, the UK is responsible for national legislation in this area. The United Kingdom has published a series of policy documents and "no deal" communications covering such a scenario. According to them, the UK intends to safeguard the rights of EU citizens living and working in the UK on a large scale, as provided for in the withdrawal agreement.
- Will I continue to receive social security benefits from Cyprus after Brexit?
The export of pensions (widows, statutory pension and invalidity pension) to the United Kingdom will continue in all cases, regardless of the date of entitlement even after the end of the transitional period.
- Will I still have access to healthcare in the UK after Brexit?
If it leaves the Union under a withdrawal agreement, EU citizens with rights of residence in the UK will have access to the UK healthcare system. This response is based on the arrangements governing citizens' rights in the withdrawal agreement. For the withdrawal agreement to enter into force, ratification of the European Parliament and the British Parliament is required.
In the event of a "no deal" Brexit, until the UK leaves the EU, Cypriot nationals residing in the UK who, in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 as regards the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 as regards the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257 in the UK and the rest of the EU at the cost of Cyprus. After leaving the UK, they will fall into the National Health Service (NHS).
After Brexit, Cyprus' European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will not apply for use in the UK. However, EHIC holders, who are hospitalised on the Brexit date, will be able to complete healthcare treatment without paying any costs.
- I live in the UK and pay tax in Cyprus. How will Brexit affect me?
If there is an agreement between the EU and the UK, nothing will change during the transition period, i.e. until 31 December 2020. If there is no agreement, several tax arrangements will cease to apply. The United Kingdom will become a third country and you will be treated differently for tax purposes. For example, people living in the UK and paying tax in Cyprus will no longer be entitled to tax credits or mortgage interest relief. This is because it makes a difference to certain tax arrangements whether you live in an EU country or outside the EU.
- I got married in the United Kingdom. Will my marriage be recognised after Brexit?
Brexit will not change the existence or recognition of your marriage. After Brexit, Cypriot rules on the recognition of marriages will continue to apply to marriages that took place in the UK.
What the life of the English will look like in Cyprus
- Can I live and work in Cyprus after Brexit?
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal you can continue to live and work in Cyprus. Brexit will not affect your right of residence and your right to work in Cyprus, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the withdrawal agreement. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Cypriot government has decided to safeguard the rights of British citizens living and/or working in Cyprus before exit day. British nationals legally residing in Cyprus before leaving the UK will retain their right to live and work here. This also applies to family members of British nationals who are third-country nationals .
- I am a pensioner in the United Kingdom living in Cyprus. Will I still have access to healthcare services in Cyprus after Brexit?
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal you will continue to have access to healthcare services in Cyprus. Brexit will not affect your benefits in this respect, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the convention. The withdrawal agreement also provides for a transitional period until 31 December 2020, during which EU rules and regulations will continue to apply in the UK. So your current situation won't change. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Cypriot government has decided to safeguard the rights of British citizens living and/or working in Cyprus before exit day. UK pension recipients who were granted healthcare benefits before Brexit will continue to enjoy the same healthcare coverage as at this time for an interim period and until further healthcare arrangements are followed.
- Will I continue to receive social security benefits in Cyprus after Brexit?
The agreement provides for a transitional period until 31 December 2020, during which EU rules and regulations will continue to apply in the UK. So your current situation won't change. Once the UK leaves the EU with a deal you will continue to receive social security benefits in Cyprus.
-Will the UK driving licence still be valid in Cyprus after Brexit?
Driving licences in the EU will still be valid in the UK after Brexit. More information on EU driving licences and Brexit can be found on the UK Government's website.
Can I get products and return products from the UK after Brexit?
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, there will no longer be free movement of goods. This means that you will have to register goods with customs. And you may have to pay import duties and VAT. The standard exemption will apply to third countries.
The Customs and Excise Department website provides information on the import and export of goods to and from the United Kingdom. On the UK Government's website you can find information about what you can import into the UK.
Pet movements
- Can I take my pet from the UK to Cyprus after Brexit?
If you want to bring your pet from the UK to Cyprus, it must have a microchip (for identification purposes). The microchip must be placed before the animal is vaccinated against rabies. It must have a European pet passport or a valid veterinary certificate issued by the competent British Authority. European pet passports issued in the UK will no longer be valid after Brexit.
He's probably going to need a blood test that includes a three-month waiting period. This blood test is to check if rabies vaccination was effective. The 3-month waiting period does not apply if the blood test is carried out in an EU country and the results have been noted on the pet passport. Note: it is not yet clear whether a post-Brexit blood test will be needed. More information on the cyprus veterinary services website.
- Can I move my pet to the UK after Brexit?
If you want to take your pet from Cyprus to the UK, your pet must have a microchip (for identification purposes). The microchip must be placed before the animal is vaccinated against rabies. You must wait at least 21 days before travelling with your pet after the first vaccination and have a valid European pet passport.
