Today is the day when the United Kingdom (UK) leaves the European Union (EU). The leaving process officially started on March 29th, 2017 by activation of the Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union and the two parties (UK & EU) started to draft the agreement setting forth the Brexit terms and conditions (Brexit deal).

Originally, the UK was supposed to leave the EU on March 29th, 2019, however, the UK Government declined to approve the Brexit deal and have asked to extend the EU membership. Such situation has repeated two more times and the final Brexit date was set to January 31st, 2020. As the Brexit deal has been approved both by the UK and EU in January 2020, today is the last day when the UK is considered a member of the EU.

Implications for work and stay of UK nationals in the Czech Republic

Thanks to the Brexit deal, the rights and obligations of UK nationals residing in the Czech Republic remain unchanged and they can freely work and stay here similar to any other EU national.

Further, the Brexit deal sets forth a transition period during which any UK national yet to move to the Czech Republic (and similarly to the EU) will retain the same rights as if the UK would still be member of the EU. The transition period will end on the December 31st, 2020 but can be extended for maximum additional 2 years.

The transition period has been set to refine, in detail, all subsequent agreements between the UK and the EU to minimize the impact of the Brexit both on the UK and EU.

It is recommended for the UK nationals currently residing in the Czech Republic, or yet to move to the Czech Republic, to arrange for a so called Confirmation of Temporary Residency (CTR) or Permanent Residency (PR) as having the CTR/PR will guarantee their rights even after the end of the transition period.

Employers of UK nationals are advised to motivate the employees to arrange for the CTR/PR to be on the safe side as well.

Author: Miroslav Mejtský, Partner at Petyovský & Partners s.r.o.