Brexit and EU

How does Brexit affect you?

The United Kingdom’s (UK) decision to leave the EU means that, as of 31 January 2020, the UK is no longer an EU Member State. The transitional period ended on 31 of December 2020.

 

From the outset of the negotiations regarding the UK’s withdrawal, the EU – and Denmark – have prioritized the issue of citizens’ rights. The aim has been to ensure clear and transparent terms for Danish citizens living in the UK and for British citizens living in Denmark.

 

Following the withdrawal, EU legislation on the free movement of persons no longer applies in the UK. Accordingly, Danish citizens living in the UK are no longer able to reside there on the basis of EU rules on free movement. This also applies to British citizens living in Denmark who are no longer EU citizens. The British government and the EU, however, have agreed on a Withdrawal Agreement, which secures terms for EU citizens residing in the UK and for British citizens residing in the EU. The agreement entails a transitional period from the exit date to 31 December 2020. The transitional period means that all British citizens who resided legally in an EU Member State before the end of the period are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. After that period British citizens moving to the EU are covered by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK.

 

For general questions and answers regarding rights of EU and UK citizens as outlined in the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, you can visit the European Commission's website here and here.

British citizens in Denmark

Denmark greatly appreciates the British citizens who have chosen to live in Denmark and contribute to Danish society. 

Citizens’ rights constitute a central part of the Withdrawal Agreement. It regulates your rights as a British citizen residing in Denmark as of 31 December 2020.

You can read more about how the Withdrawal Agreement affects you on the website of the Ministry of Immigration and Integration. You can also read more on the European Commission’s website.

 

Right to residence

Following the approval of the Withdrawal Agreement, British citizens and their families have a right of residence in Denmark, provided they have been legally residing in Denmark prior to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Furthermore, the Withdrawal Agreement established a transitional period from the exit date to 31 December 2020. The transitional period means that all British citizens who resided legally in an EU Member State before the end of the period are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. 

 

Right to cash benefits

Following the approval of the Withdrawal Agreement, your rights to social benefits as a British citizen who resided legally in Denmark State before the end of the transitional period remain unchanged as if you were still an EU citizen. This also applies to future events. If, for instance, you become unemployed your right to unemployment benefits are the same as that of EU citizens.

 

Right to social service benefits and daycare 

In order to be entitled to social services a person must legally reside in Denmark. Services can include assistance to vulnerable children and adults, compensation to persons with disabilities and practical support for elderly persons. All persons who are legally residing in Denmark are entitled to services under the Day-Care Facilities Act. The Withdrawal Agreement does not affect these rights.

You can read more about social service benefits and day care on the website of the Ministry for Children and Education, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Senior Citizens as well as the Ministry of Health. 

 

Right to healthcare benefits

The Withdrawal agreement secures your right to healthcare benefits if you moved to Denmark before 1 January 2021 and are registered as resident in Denmark. You are in main covered by the same EU provisions on social security as before Brexit. The Withdrawal agreement protects your rights for life or as long as you remain without interruption in a situation linked to both the UK and Denmark. This also applies if you work in Denmark but live in the UK, another EU/EEA-country or Switzerland provided you started your employment in Denmark before 1 January 2021.

If you move to Denmark in 2021 or thereafter, your right to social security is determined on the basis of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. If you are registered as resident in Denmark you will have access to the Danish health insurance scheme on the same basis as Danish insured citizens. The agreement also secures your rights to healthcare benefits in Denmark if you live in the UK, but work in Denmark. 

 

Right to healthcare benefits – temporary stay

If you are British insured and are staying temporarily in Denmark, you will be entitled to medically necessary treatment on the same basis as Danish insured persons. You can prove your right to medical care by presenting: 

• Your European Health Insurance Card issued by the UK – the so-called CRA EHIC (Citizens’ Rights’ Agreement Card) or
• Your British health insurance card – the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card)
  
  

Student rights

Following the approval of the Withdrawal Agreement, your rights as a student in Denmark remain unchanged as if you were still an EU citizen. This also applies if you begin a higher education after the transitional period as long as you resided in Denmark before 31 December 2020.

 

Access to regulated professions

Following the approval of the Withdrawal Agreement, your rights regarding access to regulated professions will remain unchanged as if you were still an EU citizen.

 

Access to primary and secondary education including vocational educational training

Following the approval of the Withdrawal Agreement, your rights regarding access to education and training will remain unchanged as if you were still an EU citizen. All persons who are legally residing in Denmark are in terms of vocational education and training entitled to state subsidies including wage subsidies as well as financial support for vocational students.

 

In terms of primary and secondary schools, all persons who are legally residing in Denmark are entitled to state subsidies (free elementary schools, secondary schools and free vocational schools) as well as the right to mother-tongue teaching (primary and lower secondary schools).

You can read more on the website of the Ministry of Children and Education (only in Danish).

Rights to cash benefits in Denmark for Danish and other EU citizens residing in the United Kingdom before 31 December 2020 who return to Denmark

Following the approval of the Withdrawal Agreement, your rights to cash benefits are unchanged. This also applies to future events.

 

Rights to Danish benefits for British, Danish and other EU citizens residing in the United Kingdom and for British citizens residing in the EU before 31 December 2020 (export of benefits from Denmark)

Following the approval of the Withdrawal Agreement, your rights to cash benefits are unchanged. This also applies to future events.

 

Voting rights and eligibility for municipal and regional elections and European Parliament elections in Denmark

Brexit affected the rights of British citizens to vote and stand for elections in Denmark.

Read more about elections here.

 
The information provided on this website (including any and all subpages) is not necessarily comprehensive, complete or updated and does not constitute and cannot replace legal advice. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark does not assume responsibility or liability for damages or losses which, directly or indirectly, are related to the use of the contained information.