Implications of Brexit

The short answer is that nothing happens. For this reason, there is no need to worry whether one, for instance, can continue to have pension disbursed from the UK.

The EU and the UK have concluded a Withdrawal Agreement which entail a “transitional period” that will continue until the end of 2020. The transitional period might be extended with a year or two, but so far the British Government does not wish to do so.

In the transitional period one can still travel back and forth between Denmark and the UK, and one can study, work etc., as if the UK was an EU Member State.

It has also been agreed that when the transitional period ends citizens will keep acquired rights to social benefits, as if the UK was still an EU Member State. However, this only applies to citizens who have been covered by the EU rules regarding free movement before the end of the transitional period.

If one for instance work in the UK now – or gets employed during the transitional period – it is possible to continue working in the UK as if one was an EU citizen. If one for instance become sick or unemployed, one still has the right to continued stay and social benefits in the UK. And when/if one travels back to Denmark, one can, in the future, have pension disbursed according to the EU rules. The same applies in the reverse situation for a UK citizen in Denmark.

It is still unclear, which rules will apply, if one wishes to travel to the UK in order to work after the end of the transitional period. The current starting point is that one must fulfill the requirements in applying to, and will receive the same rights as, other third country citizens. This starting point will be the same for UK citizens that wish to live/work in Denmark. This might be altered in negotiations between the EU and the UK regarding an agreement on the future relationship between the UK and DK.