Current and future employers of British nationals in the Netherlands will likely be impacted by the Brexit deal or no deal scenarios between the EU and UK.
At present, British nationals and their non-EU family members are not required to obtain residence permits in the Netherlands, although EU citizens are required to register as EU citizens. However, this arrangement would likely change if no deal is reached regarding Brexit between the EU and UK.
If a Brexit deal is not reached, British nationals (and their non-EU family members) residing and working in the Netherlands will be required to obtain residence permits. Accordingly, under this scenario, the Netherlands Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) would commence a transition period for British nationals and their non-EU family members, starting from Brexit Day, March 29, 2019, and lasting until July 1, 2020.
During the transition period, British nationals and their non-EU family members would be allowed to maintain residency, employment, and study rights in the Netherlands. Prior to March 29, 2019, Dutch authorities intend to send out official letters, which would serve as proof of temporary residence. These official letters would remain valid until July 1, 2020. However, after July 1, 2020, British nationals would be required to have obtained Dutch residence permits in order to work in the Netherlands. The application process for such residence permits would mean that British nationals would be required to meet the same eligibility requirements as EU citizens (including sufficient income, health insurance, payment of applicable fees, and so on).
To facilitate the application for residence permits under the no deal scenario, Dutch authorities intend to send out a notice letter by April 1, 2020, notifying individuals to apply for residence permits. Non-EU family members of British nationals who are also living in the Netherlands would also likely be required to obtain residence permits.
Employers of British nationals in the Netherlands must stay abreast of developments in any Brexit agreement, and ensure proper measures are timely taken so that British national employees and their non-EU family members maintain proper immigration status in light of the Brexit situation.
Regarding EU citizens in the UK, pursuant to a UK government policy paper dated December 6, 2018, EU citizens residing in the UK by March 29, 2019 will remain eligible to participate in the EU Settlement Scheme even under a ?no deal? scenario. Accordingly, those EU citizens residing in the UK by March 29, 2019 will have until December 31, 2020 to apply and register for ?Settled? (if they have lived in the UK for more than five years) or ?Pre-Settled” status (if they have lived in the UK for less than five years). Other EU citizens who enter the UK after March 29, 2019 will be treated differently in that only British laws will apply to them in respect of their immigration status.