Working in Europe post-Brexit
Whether the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union was the right thing to do is still a hot topic of debate. Whichever side of the fence you fall on, the reality of the situation means that the rules surrounding living and working in Europe have changed. If you work in the UK you might have found what looks like an ideal role based in Europe and are considering applying, or if you’re in an EU member nation you may be wondering if you can still work in the UK.
The right to work in Europe no longer automatically exists for UK citizens, but that does not mean it can’t be done. In many cases additional paperwork is necessary, and it varies according to the country in which you want to work. For example, a work permit in some cases may not also allow you to live there, and yet another document might be required simply to enter the country. Bear in mind that these documents, as well as being specific to your intended destination in terms of requirement, number, type and content, can go by different names too, e.g. a work visa in one country might be analogous to a work permit in another, or, indeed, not.
If that sounds confusing, it’s because if taken as a whole it is variable and inconsistent. However, as long as you do your homework thoroughly on the country in which you wish to live and work the process can be a little more straightforward. We’d suggest starting by looking at the government’s guide on this subject, which will tell you what you’ll need. You can find this at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/overseas-living-in-guides – of course this relates to UK citizens wishing to live and work abroad. If you’re a resident of another European nation we’d suggest starting your search with your own government’s web-based resources.
If there’s a job you’d like to apply for in another country – be that in the EU or elsewhere, or perhaps you’re European and looking to work in the UK – we cannot stress this point enough: it is up to you to research, understand and obtain the necessary documentation for the country in which you wish to work before you’ll be able to apply for your intended role.
On the other side of the coin, if you’re looking to employ European nationals to work, for example, in your household in the UK, you need to be aware of the rules too. A European Union passport or ID card is no longer considered to be sufficient proof of a potential employee’s right to work (Ireland is an exception to this, Irish citizens can still use their passport to prove their right to work). You’ll need to check a job applicant’s right to work via the government portal at https://www.gov.uk/view-right-to-work, and naturally there are various bureaucratic hoops to jump through. A useful resource to refer to can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/right-to-work-checks-employing-eu-eea-and-swiss-citizens
Pembury Partners places candidates into roles in the UK, across the EU, EEA, and indeed the rest of the world.
