European Union – EU-U.K. Agreement Ratified

EU – EU-U.K. Agreement Ratified

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement concluded between the European Union and the United Kingdom in late December 2020, which entered into force provisionally on 1 January 2021, has now been approved by the European Parliament. This means that the Agreement – which covers many terms and conditions in respect of EU-U.K. cross-border workers – applies permanently from 1 May 2021.

1000

CONTACTS

Daida Hadzic

Director

KPMG Meijburg & Co

Email
flash-alert-2021-133

Following the departure of the United Kingdom (U.K.) from the European Union (EU) – otherwise known as “Brexit” – the EU and the U.K. concluded the Trade and Cooperation Agreement1 in late December 2020.  The Agreement entered into force provisionally on 1 January 2021 and was awaiting the formal ratification procedure in the EU that had to be finished by 30 April 2021.

It was announced on 28 April 2021, that the EU Parliament approved the EU-U.K. Agreement with a large majority2 which means that the Agreement applies permanently from 1 May 2021. 

WHY THIS MATTERS

The confirmation by the EU Parliament that the Agreement applies permanently means that employers have certainty and security when it comes to planning their mobility policies and arrangements for employees in a cross-border situation between the EU and the United Kingdom.

In the context of mobility of people, the Agreement outlines, most significantly, changes to immigration3 and social security4.

There is no longer free movement between the EU and the U.K., which means that employers and employees must observe rules for residence and work permits in each country, and must take into account the limitations to social security coverage in comparison to EU legislation.  Also, employers should identify their U.K. nationals in the EU as non-EU nationals in order to properly manage their compliance, rights, and liabilities (for related coverage, see the following issues of GMS Flash Alert: 2021-010 (8 January 2021) and 2021-005 (5 January 2021)).

Additional Information

General

In areas that are not regulated by EU law, including personal income tax, it is important to bear in mind that U.K. nationals are third-country nationals in the EU and nationals of EU countries are third-country nationals in the United Kingdom.  This means that if there are agreements or treaties that are not subject to EU legislation, employers should note if there are stipulations that distinguish between EU nationals and non-EU nationals.  With U.K. nationals now being non-EU nationals, this can mean that there are certain limitations applying, or a different set of requirements that will need to be met, in comparison to EU nationals. 

EU Directive for Posted Workers

U.K. employers posting employees to the EU must observe the registration obligation for posted workers that apply to postings from a non-EU country to an EU country5.  (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2021-058, 19 February 2021.)

KPMG NOTE

The new EU-U.K. Agreement introduces significant changes, particularly with respect to immigration and social security coverage.  Employers should make sure that their policies and arrangements that involve EU-U.K. cross-border work are updated to reflect the new conditions, requirements, and costs.    

FOOTNOTES

1  Full text: Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom. Note that there might be additional bilateral conditions between the U.K. and Ireland, the U.K., Gibraltar and Spain, and the U.K. and Switzerland, etc.   

2  Press release from the EU Parliament: Parliament formally approves EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement (28 April 2021).

3  Immigration between the EU and the U.K. is a matter of national legislation in each country.  For more information on changes to immigration, see the Brexit section on the GMS Flash Alert webpage on www.kpmg.com.

4  Social security is regulated in the Protocol on Social Security in Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom.  For a KPMG analysis, see GMS Flash Alert 2021-010, 8 January 2021.          

5  For additional information, see GMS Flash Alert 2021-080, 11 March 2021.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in The Netherlands. 

SUBSCRIBE

To subscribe to GMS Flash Alert, fill out the subscription form.

© 2024 KPMG Meijburg & Co., a Netherlands partnership and a member of the KPMG network of independent firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.

KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”) is a Swiss entity.  Member firms of the KPMG network of independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm.

GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

Connect with us

Stay up to date with what matters to you

Gain access to personalized content based on your interests by signing up today