The EU rights of the more than 27,000 British nationals currently living in Belgium will maintained until 31 December 2020. This will limit the problems posed to companies and public authorities in case of Brexit without agreement, reported news outlet, La Libre Belgique.
At the request of the European Commission, EU Member States have been called upon to take “emergency measures” to limit the impact of a Brexit without agreement.
In Belgium, the various federal entities have agreed to “maintain the rights of British citizens present in Belgium before the exit of the United Kingdom from the Union (scheduled for the 29th of March, 2019) for a limited period of time, until the 31st December 2020 and on a reciprocal basis.”
The 25,000 Belgians currently residing in Great Britain should therefore also keep these rights (including living and social rights) after March 29th.
The Consultative Committee also asked for measures to be taken by each entity in four areas: taxation, work permit (or professional card for the self-employed), professional qualifications and social security.