British Digital Nomads What You Need To Know About Working/Travelling in EU Post Brexit

What is now allowed and acceptable after U.K. Digital Nomads working travelling and working abroad in Europe  after Brexit? Now is the best time to start mapping and planning for new future travel post U.K. and European lockdown restrictions being lifted. 

If you an avid traveler like me who enjoyed the flexibility of being able to travel and broad in Europe at the drop of the hat, Brexit may have knocked you sideways and you are trying to comes to terms with how to adjust with the new travel regulations.

For me the hardest thing about adjusting to Brexit, is not being able to travel spontaneously before whether on a train or plane and to land in a new country within a few hours. The exciting and flexibility component of travelling has been stripped away. 

1. First things first: Check your Travel and Health Documents:  

• Passport: ensure that your passport is within the current guidelines, less than 10 years old and at least 6 months left.

• Health Card: As the EU Health Insurance Card was only valid up to end of 2020, ensure that you have applied accordingly and adequately for Health Insurance Cover. 

• Vehicles and Driving: Not to state the obvious ensure that your U.K. Northern Ireland drivers license is still valid and that you are covered for insurance. Before you consider travelling and booking (a flight or hotel) anywhere in Europe it is advisable to check the country (s) travel guidance. This is just to ensure that you do not get caught off guard with charges and/or being detained in another country and having to be sent back before you have even started your journey. 

2. Latest Travel Guidance: Check the U.K. Government Travel Advice Website  on the latest travel guidance including Covid-19 Restrictions, at home and your intended destination. 

You will need to renew your license at least one week before travel. Learn more here what you need to do if you are taking your own car and whether you require a Green Card and/or International Driving Permit. 

3. Staying Abroad Beyond 90 Days

If you are staying beyond 90 days you may require to apply for a resident permit in the EU country you are staying in. Other factors to consider are ensuring to cover your health and well-being costs, with Health Insurance. 

Also to ensure to check what the Tax and National Insurance requirements are at home and abroad. Before you travel check with HMRC  whether you might need to pay U.K. Income Tax and National Insurance or Social Security in another Country. You will need to complete a form called the P85 informing HMRC that you are about to live and live or work abroad. If you going to work for an employer from the country you are travelling to, you may end up paying Social Security similar to having your National Insurance deducted by U.K. employees. 

If you are receipt of benefits it is also worth checking and telling your local Jobcentre Plus about your travel plans. You might still be entitled to claim U.K. benefits and from the country you are moving to (if they have an agreement with the U.K. under the European Economic Area Agreement). Find out if you can receive EEA Benefits here. This is a precautionary measure and just in case if you find yourself in a financially challenging situation; i.e. with no work. 

As with travelling to other countries outside the EU travel and settlement rules may also vary in Europe. It is best to not assume that the same rules with apply just because that is in Europe. It is advisable to find out how your welfare (well-being and financial) will be covered whilst travelling or living abroad; short or long-term. 

If you were living in an EU country by 31 December 2020 you are covered by the EU Withdrawal Agreement. There are equivalent agreements in place if you were living in an EEA country or Switzerland by 31 December 2020. Read fuller guidance on citizens’ rights.

4. Positive Benefits of Being a Digital Nomad: Several European Countries Are Offering Digital Nomad Visa: 

According to Etias Visa, "several European countries are launching digital nomad visas to welcome foreign remote workers. These visa's will be useful especially if you are looking to work remote in another European Country for an extended period of time. They operate as travel permits which legalise the opportunity for travelling professional to work remotely and independently. Learn more here! 

Last by not list, I hope that you will still continue to enjoy travelling and working aboard as a Digital Nomad in European countries regardless of the advance planning and paper work it will take before travelling. 

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS! 

1. Are you a U.K. Digital Nomad or frequent Europe Traveler? How will the new travel and work laws affect you? 

2. Have the new restrictions changed your outlook about travelling, living or working in Europe?

Connect with me via Instagram or Tiktok, I would love to learn more about your experience (i.e., how you feel about the new restrictions) and also about any future plans you may have about travelling and/or working abroad.