Brexit changed a lot. Not only for the Brits, but also for everyone in the EU, EEA and Switzerland. Reason for that is the so-called Freedom of Movement – which is exactly what it says on the tin: the right to move freely between our countries. It’s the reason why for us, as members of the EU, borders really don’t seem to matter other than signs now being written in a different language. Well, yes, of course there are other things, too – but you get what I mean.

After Brexit, this freedom of movement ended between the UK and the European Union. And this means that it’s now more complicated to move or live here (or there), than before. Well, I say complicated. It’s more complicated than the absolute fantastic system we have with freedom of movement. Now, it’s the same process and system you’d encounter if you’d want to move into any other country outside the Schengen area.

How are you able to work in the UK?

During the brief phase of figuring things out, EU citizens living in the UK during that time were still granted a settlement status – which guarantees them their former EU-rights. This has concluded on the 31st December 2020 and is now no longer obtainable.

Instead, the UK’s immigration is now based on a point system. You’ll need to do the usual checks – being able to identify yourself, passing some criminal background checks – but you’ll also need to reach a certain score of points that show your talent and skills. And your fluency in English. Oh, and you will need to already have a job offer.

There are different ways if you want to create a start-up or are working as an artist – and there are specific visas you can apply for if you want to study in the UK. But at the end of the day, it’s now that: an application. If you just want to come over for some holidays, by the way, you can stay up to 6 months.

How are Brits able to work in Germany?

After Brexit, the system is more or less the same the other way round. You’ll also need a work visa if you want to pick up a job in Germany as a Brit. After you’ve got a job offer, you’re able to move – and will then have to apply for a residence permit, a D-Visa. Germany’s a bit stricter in terms of deadlines and when you’ll have to sort certain documents, so stay on your toes; the stereotype about our love for forms is true. Germany’s [Zettelwirtschaft]¹ definitely makes it a full-blown bureaucracy. Which, by the way, is a real problem, as it’s quite costly to keep our [Bürokratie]² going. Too many copies!

So yes, in the end, of course we’re still able to work and live in each other’s countries – it’s just more complicated than it was before and requires a little bit more luck and effort. It’s a shame, really, and I do appreciate the privilege I own that comes with my settlement status and the fact that I am able to still move freely. Maybe we’ll be able to reach that point again some day.

Oh – you should also know that from the 2nd April 2025 you’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if you want to enter the UK. That’s not a visa and doesn’t permit entry into the UK – but it authorises you to get here and is simply a form of border control.

[Picture by Anisa Mustafa – thank you!]

1. Die Zettelwirschaft – compound word of “Zettel” (slip of paper) and “Wirtschaft” (economy). ↩︎
2. Die Bürokratie – the German word for bureaucracy. It’s just such a good word: the ruling of the administration. ↩︎