Right to work and see doctor protected for Brits in the EU

Despite the deadlock in Brussels over the UK’S financial settlement, there was good news for British citizens living and working in the EU.

Negotiators confirmed that people covered by the UK’S withdrawal agreement – EU nationals living in Britain and British citizens living in the EU when Brexit takes place – will have public healthcare access and social security rights protected,thoughonlyinthecountry where they are resident.

Qualifications gained before the UK’S exit date will also continue to be recognised on the same basis across the EU, and British citizens working in Europe in a range of professions will keep their right to own a business.

However, access to the European Health Insurance Card (Ehic), which entitles EU citizens to public healthcare while travelling around Europe, will only be available to UK nationals living in the EU. The EU’S insistence that the Ehic is withdrawn from UK residents is a leading example of what British officials claim is inflexibility on the European side.