The exit agreement reached between the European Council and Britain on 25 November has already done much to allay concerns regarding rights of residency, pension benefits, healthcare, and social security, as well as the transferability of certain professional qualifications.
This means that UK citizens living in Sweden – as well as Swedes living in the UK – should be able to work, live, study and retire in their adopted country of residence – and this includes Brits settling in Sweden before the end of 2020’s transition period, while the same applies to Swedes in Britain.
The Swedish government has said that it is busy working out an efficient way for Britons who have a right of residence in Sweden under EU law, to be able to remain in Sweden on terms similar to those they already enjoy – this is in line with the European Commission’s communication on emergency preparedness that was issued on 19 December 2018.
Furthermore, the Swedish government has already indicated that it is preparing a scheme that will easily allow Britons in the country to apply for either temporary or permanent residence.
Making it easier for UK citizens in Sweden in the event of a no-deal
A Swedish government memorandum, published on 11 January 2019 and updated on 25 February, examined the issue of contingencies for British citizens in Sweden in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
The memorandum proposed that British citizens and their families are to be exempt from the requirements for residence and work permits for a time-limited period during which they will have time to adapt and to apply for the right to stay. The memorandum further proposed legislative
amendments to make the application process easier.
The new regulations are due to be made law on 30 March 2019 with any amendments ratified by 1 July 2019.
Blacktower FM in Sweden
Blacktower works to ensure that our clients receive the financial products and services that are best suited to them wherever they are in the world and whatever their situation.
Our office in Stockholm, Sweden, works to assist the wealth management, tax and pension planning of expats in the country who are looking to make the most of their cross-border financial interests – this includes help negotiating the uncertainties of Brexit.
Contact Blacktower’s international financial advisers in Sweden today for more information.
Tax planning should be a New Year priority for any British citizen who has recently become an expat.
On Thursday the Bank of England (BOE) rate committee met to discuss interest rates, and, even though inflation is growing, yet again they have decided to leave the base rate at 0.25%. They obviously feel this is the best option as they assess the extent of any consumer slowdown and while they continue to play the waiting game regarding how the EU Brexit divorce negotiations pan out. The BOE seems to be playing a deliberate wait and see game, and with economic news continuing to be negative in the last few weeks, it now seems likely that the base rate could stay at this level until at least 2019.