Withdrawal Agreement

What do you need to know about UK departure from the EU?

The United Kingdom (UK) has left the European Union (EU) on the 31st of January 2020. The conditions of the departure are regulated by the Withdrawal Agreement. It sets out rules governing UK exit and its consequences, including the rights of UK citizens residing abroad.

Who are the beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement?

The beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement are EU citizens residing in the United Kingdom and UK nationals residing in one of the 27 Member States of the EU at the end of the transition period.

The Withdrawal Agreement:

• Provides for a transition period to ensure a swift exit of the UK from the EU, during which UK nationals can live, work, study, conduct business or research and exercise their freedom of movement as if UK was a Member State of the EU,
• Safeguards the rights of UK nationals and their family members living in Poland before the transition period and allows them to stay and continue their current activities even after the transition period,
• Guarantees the rights of UK nationals who move to Poland during the transition period after its termination,
• Protects the rights of UK nationals’ family members who wish to join them in Poland in the future,
• Ensures that social security rights of all EU citizens and UK nationals living in the UK or in an EU member state before the end of transition period are preserved.

Advice for UK nationals and their families living in Poland:

• If you were lawfully residing in Poland before the 31st of December 2020 and continue to live in Poland under the conditions that concern EU citizens, your residency rights are protected as long as you remain a resident,
• Prepare and submit to the voivodeship office a Withdrawal Agreement residency application at your earliest convenience, by the 31st of December 2021. Make sure you have proof of your residence, valid health insurance, proof of employment (if applicable) and other documents that might be of relevance while submitting your application.

Questions and queries?

Contact the IOM office in Poland:

• Call us on the helpline from Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm: +48 22 490 20 44, (+48) 724 078 536, (+48) 724 078 533
• Email us at: UKnationalsPL@iom.int