EU rights of 27,000 British nationals currently living in Belgium will be maintained until 31 December 2020 in order to limit inevitable complications for companies and Belgian authorities, should Brexit “happen” without an agreement, La Libre Belgique reports today. EU has asked Member States to take “urgent measures” in order to limit the impact of a Brexit without an agreement.
The various federated and federal entities in Belgium have agreed “to maintain the rights of British citizens already residing in Belgium before the UK’s exit (scheduled for 29 March 2019) until 31 December 2020, and on a reciprocal basis.”
As it is stipulated “on a reciprocal basis”, the rights (residential and social rights in particular) of 25,000 Belgians currently residing in Britain should be preserved after 29 March.
The Consultation Committee has also asked for measures to be taken by each entity in four specific areas: taxation, work permit (or business card for freelance), professional qualifications and social security.
The Brussels Times
