Post Brexit rights for Czech expats in UK and Brit expats in the republic

As the result of a meeting between the Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek and Britain’s Brexit Minister Stephen Barclay, the post-Brexit rights of Czech expats living in Britain will be preserved.

During the discussion, Barclay reiterated the current rights enjoyed in the UK by Czech nationals in will continue post-Brexit, although he urged Czech expats to register with the British authorities as soon as possible. He added those living and working in the UK were appreciated for their contributions to the British economy, telling Hamacek the UK will treat Czech expats in the same manner as UK expats will be treated in the Czech Republic. The two ministers seemed to be on the same page as regards their own nationals’ rights post-Brexit, but nothing is yet set in tablets of stone.

The original Czech law passed in February this year confirmed the republic’s intention to give British expats living and working in the country two years’ grace as regards the protection of their rights should a no-deal Brexit be the final result. It also mentioned new documentation may well be required should UK expats wish to remain in the republic after the two-year grace period has expired. Up until now, no further changes have been made, nor have any exact requirements been stated as necessary after 2020.

Over the past two years, the number of Britons moving to the Czech Republic has increased considerably, partly due to the tech revolution, with the small country now ranking in the top ten best world destinations for expatriate relocation. More than 200,000 expatriates now live in Prague, totalling some 25 per cent of the city’s entire workforce, with some 4,000 Britons spread across the capital and the same number working in other parts of the country.