EU residency for UK citizens after Brexit

The next steps of Brexit

Now that Boris Johnson won the general elections in December 2019, the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union on 31 January 2020. However, this would only be the next step in the Brexit process. If all goes well and the UK leaves the EU with a deal, there should be a transition period until 31 December 2020.

I am a UK citizen, already a registered resident of Hungary. Can I keep my registration card if the UK indeed leaves the EU on 31 January 2020?

Good news for you: YES, you can keep your EU registration card and address card, so your Hungarian residency even after the Brexit happens on 31 January 2020! However, please keep in mind that this information is based on the currently public conditions of Brexit, which may change in the future. Nevertheless, the Hungarian government intends a lenient treatment for UK citizens and their family members.

What if I’m not yet a Hungarian resident?

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, UK citizens and their family members would still be able to acquire a Hungarian registration card and residency until the end of the transition period, 31 December 2020.

Can I keep my residency after Brexit is finished?

If you have registered before the end of the transition period, you can keep all your rights associated with the EU registration card after 1 January 2021.

Moreover, UK citizens and their family members can also apply for the national permanent residence permit if they have been continuously living in Hungary for 3 years. Those who have been living here for 5 years can be eligible for the EC permanent residence permit.

How can I become a resident of Hungary after Brexit?

When the UK finally leaves the EU, UK citizens will not be EU citizens anymore. Then they will be able to apply for Hungarian residency the same way as any other third-country nationals.

In case of a no-deal scenario, the UK would immediately leave the European Union with no agreement about the exit process. Then UK citizens would not be able to apply for the registration card after January 2020, and they will be considered non-EU citizens who would need to apply for a residence permit if they wished to stay longer than 90 days in 180 days in Hungary.

What should I do now?

Helpers can assist you in any case: we can get you a registration card and also a residence permit. Fill in the form below and ask for a consultation.