EU Exit FAQ
1
Will there be traffic disruption now that we have left the EU?
SHOW
- We are not currently expecting traffic disruption in Southampton as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU. However, we constantly monitor traffic levels and flows in the city and will take additional measures should they become necessary. We will also release extra information if needed via traffic information boards and via social media. For the latest travel and traffic information please follows us on Twitter @scchighways
- It is possible that there could be traffic disruption linked to delays at Portsmouth International Port following the UKs exit from the EU. This is because Portsmouth it is a roll-on roll-off port and HGV exports from Portsmouth could be delayed because of additional border checks required
- Systems are in place to manage traffic flows and reduce the risk of traffic delays at Portsmouth International Port. Operation Transmission has been developed to mitigate the potential risk of traffic disruption by creating triage points on the approach to Portsmouth International Port, and on the A31 between Alresford and Winchester, to ensure all EU-bound freight has the correct ‘border-ready’ paperwork in place for channel crossings
2
I am an EU Citizen in the UK, what do I need to do?
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- If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and you were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, you and your family will be able to apply through the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living, working or studying in the UK beyond 30 June 2021. You will still need to apply even if you have lived in the UK for many years or have a permanent residence document
- You do not need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme if you have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or you are an Irish Citizen, but you can still apply if you want to
- You can apply for the EU Settlement Scheme on GOV.UK. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2021
- There is no monetary cost involved in making an application if you apply yourself. If you took part in the pilot scheme and paid £65, you will be able to claim for a refund for this amount
- Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)
- You can call Southampton-based charity EU Welcome for free on 0800 246 5339 to receive practical advice and assistance with EU Settlement Scheme applications, including IT support
3
Do I need to register my children with the EU Settlement Scheme?
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- Eligible children will need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. Each child must have their own application and you can apply on behalf of your children or they can apply for themselves. Apply for Settled Child Status
- Your child is eligible to apply for settled/pre-settled status if they are under 21 and they’re either an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen or you or your spouse/ civil partner is an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
- If your child was born in the UK but is not a British citizen, they will need to apply. If you are not sure if your child is a British citizen, you can check here
- You can link your child’s application to yours meaning if your application is successful, your child will get the same status as you
- You can call Southampton-based charity EU Welcome for free on 0800 246 5339 to receive practical advice and assistance with EU Settlement Scheme applications, including IT support
4
I was born in the UK but I am not a British Citizen, do I need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme?
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- Unless you are an Irish Citizen or have indefinite leave to remain or enter, you will need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme if you want to remain in the UK after 30 June 2021
- You can apply here
- You can call Southampton-based charity EU Welcome for free on 0800 246 5339 to receive practical advice and assistance with EU Settlement Scheme applications, including IT support
5
My family are coming to live with me in UK, what do they need to do?
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- If your family joined you before 31 December 2020 (or before 31 December 2025 for spouses and civil partners or Swiss citizens who got married or formed a civil partnership after 31 December 2020) they will need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme once they are here if they are eligible. You can apply for the EU Settlement Scheme on the government website
- If you are an EEA national, Swiss national, or an eligible person of Northern Ireland and your close family members are from outside the EEA, you may be able to apply for a family permit so they can come and join you in the UK. There are two different family permits to apply for: the EU Settlement Scheme family permit and the EEA family permit. The one you should apply for will depend on your circumstances. Find out more about the scheme including eligibility criteria on the government website
- You can call Southampton-based charity EU Welcome for free on 0800 246 5339 to receive practical advice and assistance with EU Settlement Scheme applications, including IT support
6
I work in the UK but do not live here, what do I need to do?
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- Frontier workers do not need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme
- If you have any family members that live in the UK, they may need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. They can apply if the following criteria are met:
- They moved to the UK on or before 31 December 2020
- You began working in the UK as a frontier worker on or before 31 December 2020 and will continue
- The relationship with your family member began on or before 31 December 2020
- You can find out more about what evidence a family member must provide here
7
I’m going on holiday to the EU, what do I need to know?
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- You may need to do extra things before you travel to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, such as:
- check your passport
- get travel insurance that covers your healthcare
- check you have the right driving documents
- organise pet travel - contact your vet at least 1 month before you go
- For full information on travelling to Europe from 1 January 2021 please visit the government website
8
I travel to the EU on businesses. What do I need to do?
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- As well as following the new rules for all travellers, you will need take extra actions if you’re travelling to the EU for business. Business travel includes activities such as travelling for meetings or conferences, providing services (even with a charity), and touring art or music
- If you are travelling to the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein for less than 90 days in a 180-day period, you may not need a visa or work permit
- You may need a visa, work permit or other documentation if you’re planning on staying longer than 90 days in a 180-day period or if you are doing any of the following:
- Transferring from a UK branch of your organisation to a branch in a different country, even if only for a short period of time
- Carrying out contracts to provide a service to a client in another country where your employer has no presence
- Providing services in another country as a self-employed person
- For full information on travelling to Europe for business please visit the government website
9
I’m a business, what do I need to do now the UK has left the EU?
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- Doing business with Europe has changed. You need to follow new rules on exports, imports, tariffs, data and hiring. From the 1st January 2021, there will be no tariffs on goods (provided they meet the ‘rules of origin’ requirements) or limits on the amount that can be traded between the UK and the EU
- Some new checks will be introduced at borders, such as safety checks and customs declarations. Businesses will need to prepare for new procedures at ports. Incomplete or incorrect paperwork could lead to disruption
- You will need to apply for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number (EORI) to continue to trade with the EU after 31 December 2020. If you do not already have an EORI, you can apply here.Businesses can get a personalised list of actions by using the Brexit tracker on the government website
- You can find a list of helpful links to help you prepare for EU Exit here. The government have up to date information on their website on how businesses can prepare for EU exit, which is listed here
10
Will my children who are EU nationals still be able to go to school?
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- Schools and local authorities cannot take into account nationality or immigration status when deciding which pupils to admit. There will be no change to this now the UK has left the EU
Students
1
I am currently studying in the EU, what has changed for me?
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- If you were living in the EU by 31 December 2020, you will be eligible for broadly the same support, including fees, as students from the EU member state you are in
- You will need to check the guidance for the country you have chosen to study in. Please check the living in guides
- The UK will no longer participate in the Erasmus+ programme. However, students who have already started courses in the EU will continue to receive support for fees
- You will still be able to use your EHIC or new GHIC to get medically necessary healthcare until the end of your study period. Make sure you check the rules on healthcare for the country you are studying in
- Students in the Republic of Ireland will be covered by the Common Travel Area arrangements
2
I am going to study in the EU, what do I need to know?
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- If you are planning on studying in an EU country after 31 December 2020, you will need to speak to your Higher Education provider or visit UCAS to find out more about what you will need to do. They should be able to advise what fees you need to pay and funding schemes available to you
- You will need to check the new rules for the country you are planning on living and studying in. Please check the living in guides
- The UK will no longer participate in the Erasmus+ scheme. This will be replaced by the Turing Scheme, a new global work placement and study scheme starting in September 2021
- There will be no changes to UK nationals studying in the Republic of Ireland as they will continue to be covered by the Common Travel Area arrangements
3
I am currently studying in the UK, what has changed for me?
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- The EU Settlement Scheme is open to all EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their families who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020. This means eligible people will be able to stay and continue to work, study and access benefits/services in mostly the same way as before. If you arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020, you will need to apply for a student visa if you are studying a course which will last longer than 6 months
- Provided you meet the residency requirements, you will be able to access student finance if your course in England starts before or in the 2020 to 2021 academic year. This will be available for the duration of your course. If your course or any subsequent course you choose to study starts after 1 August 2021, the rules for 2021 to 2022 entry will apply to you. You can find out more here
- If you are an Erasmus+ placement in the 2020 to 2021 academic year, you should contact your college or university in the EU for more information
- A graduate work route will be introduced in Summer 2021 to allow those who have completed a degree at a UK Higher Education Provider to stay in the UK for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) and work at any skill level
4
I am coming to study in the UK, what do I need to know?
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- If you were resident in the UK before 31 December, you may be eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme. This will allow eligible individuals to stay, work and study in the UK
- If you arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020, you will need to apply for a student visa if you are studying a course which will last longer than 6 months. This needs to be accepted before you arrive in the UK. There is a fee to apply
- If your course starts in England before or during the 2020 to 2021 academic year, you will still be able to access student finance as long as you meet the residency requirements. This will be available for the duration of your course. If you secure a place in the 2020 to 2021 academic year but decide to defer the start of your course to the following year, the rules for 2021 to 2022 entry will apply to you
- For courses starting on or after the 1 August 2021, you will be eligible for student finance if you have citizens’ rights (or if you are an Irish citizen covered by the Common Travel Area arrangement). Student Finance England will ask you to provide evidence in order to be awarded undergraduate, postgraduate and further education financial support. More information can be found here
