EU nationals working cross-border in Ireland

Question écrite de Mme Martina ANDERSON - Commission européenne

Question de Mme Martina ANDERSON,

Diffusée le 6 octobre 2019

Subject: EU nationals working cross-border in Ireland

EU nationals living in Ireland as long-term term residents who work across the British border in Ireland may be denied the right to work in the event of a no-deal Brexit. It is assumed that the Common Travel Area will allow Irish citizens to continue to live and work on both sides of the border. However, unless the Common Travel Area is extended to cover EU nationals living in Ireland they will not have comparable protection for their livelihoods.

How does the Commission view the situation faced by EU nationals that work cross-border in Ireland?

Has the Commission carried out any research on how many EU nationals would be affected in the event of a no-deal Brexit?

Has the Commission explored ways of supporting EU nationals who would be hurt by this situation?

Réponse - Commission européenne

Diffusée le 16 janvier 2020

Answer given by Mr Schmit on behalf of the European Commission

(17 January 2020)

1. The Commission has consistently stressed that a withdrawal without an agreement would cause significant disruption both in the United Kingdom and in the EU-27. Contingency measures can only mitigate the most significant disruptions of a withdrawal without an agreement. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, the right of EU citizens to work in the United Kingdom will be subject to the national law of the United Kingdom. EU citizens who are not Irish nationals and who work in the United Kingdom while residing in the Republic of Ireland will be in the same legal situation as any other EU citizen working in the United Kingdom and residing in a Member State other than the Republic of Ireland.

2. The Commission does not have data on the number of EU citizens who are not Irish nationals and who work in the United Kingdom while residing in the Republic of Ireland.

3. The Commission does not have instruments to help individuals who would find themselves in this situation as a result of withdrawal without an agreement, but has published preparedness notices to guide stakeholders and citizens to prepare for such situations.