The Local
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19 February 2020
A picture shows “Parafe”, an automated border passport control at Orly airport, near Paris on July 6, 2018. (Photo by ERIC PIERMONT / AFP)
Photo: AFP
It’s fair to say the UK government’s planned new post-Brexit immigration system – with its language requirements and minimum salary levels for EU migrants – has sparked worry among British groups in Europe.
The UK government announced its planned new immigration system this week and it immediately sparked concern for the future of those Britons who want to move to the EU in future.
‘Doors will close for Brits in EU’: Why the UK’s post-Brexit immigration plan has sparked alarm
The new points-based system to replace the freedom of movement which allowed EU nationals to move to freely to the UK will be implemented once the Brexit transition period comes to an end. That date is currently set for December 31st 2020, but it may be pushed back.
While Britons currently living in the EU and those who move before the end of the transition period are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, it is unclear what the rules will be for future generations, although they will become third-country nationals.
But how easy it will be for Brits to move to France, Italy or Spain in future could depend on what kind of system the UK puts in place after Brexit, which is why many are concerned. Brits living in Europe now could face tough choices in the future and those hoping to move to the EU could find doors are closed.
The UK government said this week it wanted to take “full control” of its borders by installing an Australian-style points-based system, that would effectively close the doors to unskilled EU workers as well as those who can’t speak English to the required standard.
Categories: Europe, Europe and Australia, European Union, UK
can we expect some common sense to prevail too? Language requirements: for workers ok, but hopefully not for the grand mother that has to be looked after. Skills: well, the question is whether the UK economy needs only skilled people. I suppose there are jobs for unskilled ones too. (which may be the old-established brits do not want to do)?