Queen's speech: concern for employees on international assignment post-Brexit
Global mobility specialist, ECA International, advises on how Brexit may affect UK-based EU nationals during short and long-term international assignments.
Copyright House of Lords 2019 / Photography by Roger Harris https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/
Uncertainty for Brits employed in the EU
An estimated 1.3 million Brits work within the Eurozone and it is not certain whether they will hold an automatic right to continue working within the host EU country once the UK leaves the European Union. Therefore, further uncertainty surrounds British employees based in the EU, taking assignments elsewhere (third-country nationals).Boccagni added, “If a UK passport holder is employed in Germany and currently on assignment to the USA, they may need a permit to continue working in Germany if they’re repatriated after Brexit. To limit disruption, businesses must work with their global mobility teams to identify any assignees who hold third-country national status and prepare any necessary visa or work permit applications ahead of repatriation.”A summary of advice being given to clients by ECA International include:- Organise visas and necessary work permits in advance of Brexit for affected assignees, and be aware of possible delays caused by the application process
- Review all cross-border working arrangements, including any existing or future commuter or posted worker agreements. Checking to ensure compliance to avoid any immigration, social security or tax repercussions for the assignee
- Global Mobility and Talent Management teams should identify third party nationals in advance of Brexit in order to apply for necessary visa or work permit applications.
- Consult assignees working towards gaining UK citizenship, as it is not yet clear if any temporary absences from the UK on long-term, short-term, commuter or rotator assignments will create a roadblock in attaining permanent residency. Due to uncertainties, EU nationals may understandably be reluctant to accept any assignments out of the UK.
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