Immigrating from the EU to the UK – What to Keep in Mind

While the decision of the UK to exit the EU may have encouraged an estimated 200,000 European citizens to leave Britain in 2018, around 3.5 million nationals from the single bloc continued to reside on these shores through 2019. 

What’s more, some EU citizens retain ambitions to move to the UK in the near-term, although it’s fair to say that this process is considerably more complex than it was previously. An Unmarried Partner Visa is a type of immigration permit that enables individuals to join their unmarried partners in a foreign country. This visa category is designed to cater to couples who are in a committed relationship but may not be legally married or in a civil partnership. The eligibility criteria typically require the couple to demonstrate the genuine nature and duration of their relationship, often through providing evidence of cohabitation, joint financial responsibilities, and a shared life. The application process for an Unmarried Partner Visa may involve submitting detailed documentation, undergoing background checks, and proving that the relationship meets the criteria set by immigration authorities. Similar to other family reunification visas, the Unmarried Partner Visa aims to support couples in maintaining their relationships across international borders, fostering unity and providing a pathway for partners to live together in the host country. The specific requirements for this visa category can vary depending on the immigration policies of the country in question.

But what are the key considerations when looking to relocate to the UK from the EU? Here are some points to keep in mind:

1. Understand Your Visa Requirements

Let’s start with the basics; as you’ll first need to understand your precise visa requirements as determined by the new relationship between the UK and the EU.

Your requirements will also vary depending on your status and reason for travel. For example, students will need to apply for a Tier 4 visa when planning to reside in the UK, which is available to applicants six months prior to travel.

You’ll now also need to apply for a visa if you intend to work in the UK as an EU citizen for longer than six months, and in this case, liaising with licensed immigration lawyers can streamline the process and eliminate any unnecessary delays. 

It’s also worth understanding your future tax requirements at this point, so that you can begin to plan your finances and minimise any disruption during the transition.

2. Make Healthcare Provisions

On a similar note, preparedness should also include organising your healthcare and ensuring that you’re adequately covered and prepared to absorb any associated costs.

Initially, you’ll have to pay a healthcare surcharge to access the National Health Service (NHS) as an EU citizen, while there’s also a stipulation to have had all the recommended vaccines.

This currently includes the Covid-19 vaccine, although it’s unclear whether this will become a permanent condition of travel between the EU and the UK.

By taking care of these considerations, you can prepare for a more enjoyable stay in the UK and negate any challenges that may occur should you require some form of medical treatment.

3. Prepare for a Cultural Shift

While the UK may be part of the continent of Europe, numerous cultural differences exist between Britain and various nations that exist as member states of the single bloc.

This can create something of a cultural shift when moving from the EU to the UK, and adjusting to this can prove difficult if you’re unprepared for it.

This can also be exacerbated by corporeal changes in climate and weather, with the UK considerably colder and far less sunkissed than southern European EU states such as Italy, Greece and Spain.

Ultimately, you’ll need to prepare for these various changes, ensuring that you hit the ground running when you land in the UK for the first time!