Consequences of Brexit
As from 1 January 2021, the relationship between Belgium and the United Kingdom has changed. Brexit has an impact on the employment of UK nationals in Belgium and the services VDAB offers them.
What does Brexit mean?
The United Kingdom (UK) officially left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020. The Withdrawal Agreement provided for a transition period until 31 December 2020. As from 1 January 2021, this transition period ended and the relationship between our country and the UK has changed dramatically.
Consequences for British job-seekers in Belgium
If you fall within the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement (for example if you had a valid residence permit in Belgium before 1 January 2020), you can apply for a new residence status. Once your documents are in order, you can register with us as a job-seeker and benefit from our services.
If you do not fall within the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement, you will be considered a national of a country that does not belong to the EU and the EEA and different rules will apply to you.
Would you like more information? Call 0800 30 700 free of charge. Keep your documents at hand!
Consequences for employers recruiting British job-seekers
UK nationals coming to Belgium to work as from 1 January 2021 are considered to be nationals of a non-EU and non-EEA country. This has implications for the recruitment of British job-seekers. If you want to recruit a British job-seeker, you will need to apply for and obtain a single permit.
Find out more
Would you like more info? Take a look at these websites:
- General information about Brexit: vlaanderen.be/brexit.
- Info about living and working in the UK: vlaanderen.be/brexit/wonen-en-werken-in-het-verenigd-koninkrijk and gov.uk.
- Info for UK nationals in Belgium: vlaanderen.be/brexit/britten-in-belgie/british-citizens-in-belgium en gov.uk/guidance/living-in-belgium.
- Info on the impact of Brexit on the legal status of UK nationals and their family members in Belgium: hagii.be/de-impact-van-brexit-op-de-rechtspositie-van-britten-en-hun-familieleden.
- Info about the recruitment of UK nationals: brexitready.be.
- Info for employers: brexitready.be.
Do you have any questions? Call us free of charge on 0800 30 700 (every working day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) or send an e-mail to info@vdab.be.