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UK’s departure from the EU in a nutshell

The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020. The terms of the UK´s exit from the EU are regulated by the Withdrawal Agreement.

The Withdrawal Agreement:

  • Sets out a transition period to provide time to adapt to the new situation.
  • Safeguards the right of UK Nationals and their family members to stay and continue their current activities in Slovakia, even after the end of the transition period.
  • Guarantees the rights under the Withdrawal Agreement to UK Nationals who move to Slovakia during the transition period.
  • Protects UK Nationals and their family members who reside in Slovakia before the end of the transition period.
  • Protects the right of some UK Nationals’ family members who do not yet live in Slovakia to join them in the future.

The transition period:

  • Started on 1 February 2020 and ends on 31 December 2020.
  • Will help UK Nationals living in Slovakia and Slovak administrations adapt to the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Until 31 December 2020:

  • The rules applicable to UK Nationals who live, work, study, do business or research in Slovakia do not change.
  • The UK continues to enjoy the freedom of movement of persons, goods, services, and capital within the EU.
  • The EU will treat the UK as if it were an EU Member State.

Key information for UK Nationals and their family members in Slovakia:

  • You are advised to register as resident.
  • Until 31 December 2020, you can register your residence under the same conditions as before the UK´s exit from the EU.
  • If you are lawfully residing in Slovakia before 31 December 2020, your rights will be protected for as long as you remain resident.
  • If you are lawfully residing in Slovakia before 31 December 2020, your residence will be automatically changed from an EU to a non-EU status and you will obtain one of the relevant types of residence.
  • By 30 June 2021 at the latest, you will need to go to the Foreign Police to apply for a non-EU Residence Card. Any EU Residence Cards owned by UK nationals and their family members after 30 June 2021 will cease to be valid.

More information:

UK Government

European Commission