With Britain leaving the European Union on 1 January 2021, it is important that businesses prepare for the different possible outcomes at the end of the transition period, and the changing relationship between the UK and Sweden, which may affect their business and employees. Currently negotiations are still ongoing, however here is what we do know.
New Residence Status
On 11 November 2020, the Riksdag (Sweden’s parliament) voted in favour of a bill to protect British residence rights to stay in Sweden after Brexit, enabling British nationals who enter Sweden prior to the end of the Brexit transition period, to live, work and study, to retain their right to remain in Sweden.
In order to remain in Sweden post Brexit, British residence in Sweden will need to make an application to the Swedish Migration Agency for new ‘residence status’. The application can be made anytime from December 31 2020 until 30 September 2021, and during this time British nationals will be able to stay in Sweden without a special permit. Once their new residence status is granted, it will apply indefinitely, however the certificate will need to be renewed every 5 years.
It has not yet been confirmed what will happen to British nationals arriving in Sweden after Brexit, however it is likely they will be treated the same way as third-country nationals arriving in Sweden. For any Swedish nationals living or arriving in the UK before December 31 2020 will need to make an application to the EU Settlement Scheme prior to 30 June 2021, in order to be able to stay in the UK post Brexit.
Social Security
With currently no new agreement regarding social security, we still don’t know what the exact details will be. However, without any new agreement, the EU Commission has confirmed that social security entitlements acquired by the EU27 or UK nationals prior to the 31 December will be protected, but will no longer apply to any new cross boarder arrangements.
With the existing bilateral agreement between the countries outdated, new rules between the UK and Sweden will need to be agreed between the two countries. If a new agreement isn’t negotiated, then there is the chance that social security may be payable in both Sweden and the UK. The UK has confirmed that A1 certificates granted prior to 31 December, with an end date after 1 January 2021, will remain valid until the end date on the certificate. Sweden hasn’t confirmed their positions on A1 certificates, however it is believed, based on the latest information, that A1 certificates may be revoked should there be a no-deal brexit.
How TCP can help
We are closely monitoring the Brexit situation and will be able to help regardless of the outcome of negotiations. Would you like to know more? Call our UK office on: +44 208 5 800800 or fill in our contact us form here and a member of our sales team will get back to you as soon as possible.
As always with Brexit, the situation has the potential to change on a daily basis as the negotiations between the UK and the EU continue. To keep up to date with all changes taking place, please take a look at the government website here .
