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Everything European Citizens Need to Know About Living and Working in the UK Post-Brexit: Visas, Work Permits, and the ETA Explained

Since the UK's formal exit from the European Union on January 31, 2020, followed by the end of the transition period on December 31, 2020, the rules governing the movement of EU nationals into the UK have fundamentally changed. While the UK once offered freedom of movement to EU citizens, allowing them to live and work in Britain with minimal bureaucracy, the new immigration system applies uniformly to both EU and non-EU nationals.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of everything EU citizens need to know about living and working in the UK in 2025, including visa routes, work permits, and the newly introduced Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Table of Contents

1. Overview of Free Movement and What Changed

2. UK Visas for European Citizens

   • Skilled Worker Visa

   • Global Business Mobility Visa

   • Graduate and Student Visas

   • Health and Care Worker Visa

   • Start-up and Innovator Visas

3. EU Settlement Scheme: A Recap and What It Means Today

4. Working in the UK as an EU Citizen

5. The New UK ETA Scheme and How It Affects European Travellers

6. Short-Term Visits and Tourism Rules for EU Nationals

7. Living in the UK: Renting, Banking, Healthcare and More

8. Rights and Responsibilities of EU Nationals in the UK

9. Tips for a Smooth Relocation

10. Summary and Key Takeaways

11. Resources and Official Links

Before Brexit, citizens of the EU, EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), and Switzerland could move to the UK freely under the EU’s freedom of movement rules. They could live, work, and access public services without a visa or additional paperwork. Post-Brexit, this is no longer the case. The UK now operates a points-based immigration system that applies equally to all non-British citizens, including those from the EU.

Key changes include:

• End of automatic rights to live and work in the UK for EU nationals.

• Visa and immigration requirements for stays longer than 6 months.

• The introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for short visits.

Since Brexit, European citizens no longer have automatic rights to live and work in the UK and must now apply for a visa to enter for work, study, or business purposes. A range of visa options is available depending on the purpose and duration of stay—from the Skilled Worker visa for jobseekers to specialised routes for healthcare professionals, students, entrepreneurs, and those working with multinational firms. Below is an overview of the main UK visa types available to EU nationals, including key eligibility criteria and benefits.

The Skilled Worker visa allows EU citizens to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer.

Requirements:

• Job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor.

• Role on the eligible occupations list.

• Minimum salary: £26,200/year or £10.75/hour (lower thresholds apply for shortage occupations).

• English language proficiency (B1 CEFR).

Application fee: £610 to £1,408 depending on stay duration and occupation. Healthcare surcharge: £624/year (unless exempt). Duration: Up to 5 years; renewable. Settlement: Eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years.

Read more about the Skilled Worker Visa here.

If you're an EU citizen working for a multinational company and need to transfer to a UK-based branch or help establish one, the Global Business Mobility (GBM) Visa may be the right option. Introduced as part of the UK’s post-Brexit immigration system, this visa route is designed to facilitate international business operations, especially for companies that need to move skilled staff or trainees between branches across borders.

The Global Business Mobility route is not a single visa but a collection of five subcategories tailored to different business scenarios. For most EU citizens, the three most commonly used are:

• Senior or Specialist Worker Visa: ideal for experienced employees being transferred to a UK branch to perform high-level or specialised roles.

• Graduate Trainee Visa: this visa is for employees enrolled in a structured graduate training programme who need to be temporarily transferred to the UK as part of their career development.

• UK Expansion Worker Visa: this visa allows key personnel to come to the UK to expand an overseas business by establishing a UK branch or subsidiary.

If you’d like to explore this topic in greater depth, be sure to read our full guide: The Global Business Mobility Visa: A Complete Guide for EU Citizens Transferring to the UK. This visa route offers a practical and flexible solution for EU nationals employed by international companies who need to work in the UK on temporary assignments. Whether you're a graduate trainee, a senior specialist, or helping to establish a new UK branch, there's a specific subcategory designed to fit your situation.

Although the Global Business Mobility Visa doesn't provide a direct path to permanent residency, it serves as a valuable entry point for gaining international experience and advancing your career. Understanding the eligibility requirements and working closely with your employer can make the application process much smoother and more effective.

This visa enables you to live and study in the UK for the duration of your course and comes with specific eligibility and documentation requirements.

Student visa:

• For EU citizens studying at UK institutions.

• Requires Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

• Proof of English proficiency and financial support.

Graduate visa:

• For students who’ve completed a degree in the UK.

• Allows 2-year stay (3 for PhDs) to seek employment.

• No sponsorship needed.

The Student and Graduate visa routes offer clear and structured pathways for EU nationals aiming to build their academic and professional futures in the UK. With world-class universities, a rich cultural landscape, and thriving job markets in cities such as London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol, the UK continues to attract ambitious students from across Europe.

Whether you're planning to return home after your studies or pursue a long-term career in the UK, understanding your visa options is crucial to making informed decisions about your future.

Would you like to know more about how these routes work and what they offer?
Read our full guide: UK Student and Graduate Visas: A Comprehensive Guide for EU Citizens.

Launched to support the NHS, adult social care, and approved health providers, this visa offers a fast-track entry with reduced fees, no Immigration Health Surcharge, and a clear path to permanent residency.

For EU healthcare professionals with job offers in eligible roles (e.g. nurses, carers).

Benefits:

• Reduced application fees.

• Exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.

• Fast-track processing.

Read Health and Care Worker Visa: Your Complete Guide to Living and Working in the UK (2025) for comprehensive information on this type of visa.

If you're an EU entrepreneur looking to launch an innovative business in the UK, the Start-up and Innovator visas offer tailored routes to help bring your ideas to life. These visas are ideal for individuals with endorsed business concepts and a strong growth vision.

Start-up visa:

• For those with innovative business ideas endorsed by an approved body.

• 2-year visa, not extendable, no investment required.

Innovator Founder visa:

• For more experienced entrepreneurs.

• Requires endorsement and investment.

• Pathway to settlement after 3 years.

If you’d like to explore all the details, eligibility requirements, and conditions in depth, be sure to read our comprehensive guide: Start-up and Innovator Visas – Everything You Need to Know (2025).

The EU Settlement Scheme continues to play a vital role in securing the rights of EU citizens who made the UK their home before the end of the Brexit transition period. If you have settled status, you can live in the UK permanently and enjoy full access to work, healthcare, education, and other public services. After holding settled status for 12 months, you may also be eligible to apply for British citizenship, provided you meet the necessary requirements. If you have pre-settled status, your rights are similar, but you must apply for settled status once you reach five years of continuous residence to secure your long-term future in the UK.

An important update came into effect in September 2023: if you hold pre-settled status and haven’t yet upgraded to settled status, the Home Office will automatically extend your status by two years. This safety net helps ensure that no one loses their rights because they missed the deadline. However, it’s still strongly advised to apply for settled status as soon as you're eligible, as it offers greater security, especially in case of any future changes to the rules. Staying proactive about your status is the best way to protect your rights and make long-term plans in the UK with confidence.

The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) was designed to protect the rights of EU citizens already residing in the UK before the end of the transition period.

Categories:

• Settled status: Lived in the UK for 5 continuous years.

• Pre-settled status: Less than 5 years of continuous residence.

Key rights:

• Live, work, and access public services.

• Apply for British citizenship (after 12 months with settled status).

• Family reunification rights.

Important update: From September 2023, those with pre-settled status are automatically extended by 2 years if they have not yet switched to settled status.

Employer Sponsorship

You need a licensed sponsor to work in the UK. Companies must be on the UK Home Office’s official list of sponsors.

Job search tips:

• Use platforms like GOV.UK Find a Job, Indeed, or LinkedIn.

• Filter by “visa sponsorship available”.

• Consider sectors facing labour shortages (e.g., care, construction, hospitality).

Qualifications and Recognition

Your EU qualifications may need recognition by UK regulatory bodies, especially in regulated professions.

Steps:

• Visit UK ENIC (UK NARIC) to compare qualifications.

• Apply for recognition where required (e.g. General Medical Council, Teaching Regulation Agency).

Self-Employment and Freelancing

There is no specific self-employment visa. However, options include:

• Innovator Founder Visa.

• High Potential Individual visa (if eligible).

• Global Talent visa (for leaders in academia, tech, arts).

• Partner or family visas (if applicable).

From 2025, most EU citizens must obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK.

Who needs an ETA?

• All EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens visiting the UK short-term without a visa.

• Includes tourism, business, transit, or short study (up to 6 months).

Application process:

• Apply online or via the UK ETA app.

• Cost: £10 (as of 2025).

• Valid for 2 years or until passport expiry.

Processing time: Within 72 hours.

Important: An ETA is not a visa and doesn’t permit work or long-term residence.

EU citizens can enter the UK visa-free for up to 6 months (ETA approval will be required before travel), but must not:

• Work or take paid employment.

• Access public funds.

• Register a marriage or civil partnership without special permission.

Permitted activities:

• Tourism and family visits.

• Business meetings, attending conferences.

• Short study courses (less than 6 months).

Relocating to the UK involves more than securing a visa—settling in also means navigating practical matters like housing, banking, healthcare, and understanding how taxes work. Here's what EU citizens should know to make the transition smoother.

Renting a Property

When renting a home in the UK, landlords are legally required to carry out a Right to Rent check. This is to confirm your legal status in the country and typically involves providing documentation such as your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), a visa approval letter, or proof of digital status under the EU Settlement Scheme. It's important to have these documents ready when searching for accommodation, especially in competitive rental markets like London or Manchester.

Opening a Bank Account

To open a UK bank account, you'll need to provide a valid form of ID, such as your passport, along with proof of your UK address—a recent utility bill or a signed tenancy agreement usually suffices. You may also be asked to present your BRP or digital immigration status. Traditional banks like Barclays or Lloyds may have stricter requirements, so many newcomers find it easier to start with digital banks such as Monzo, Revolut, or Starling, which tend to be more flexible and faster in setting up new accounts.

Accessing Healthcare

Most visa holders are required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application—this is £624 per year for adults, or £470 per year for students. Paying this fee gives you full access to NHS healthcare services, just like a UK resident. This includes GP appointments, hospital treatment, and specialist care. Emergency services and treatments for COVID-19 are free for everyone, regardless of immigration status.

National Insurance and Tax

If you take up employment in the UK, your employer will automatically deduct income tax and National Insurance (NI) contributions from your wages. To work and access certain benefits, you need a National Insurance Number. Some individuals are assigned this number automatically when they receive their BRP, but if not, you can apply online via the GOV.UK website. It's a good idea to get this sorted early to avoid delays with employment or benefit entitlements.

Living in the UK as an EU national comes with a set of rights that help you integrate into society, but also responsibilities that must be upheld to maintain your legal status. Understanding both is essential for a smooth and secure life in the UK.

Rights include:

• Working legally under visa conditions.

• Renting and accessing housing services.

• Using the NHS.

• Accessing education for children.

Responsibilities include:

• Obeying UK laws and immigration rules.

• Paying tax and NI contributions.

• Keeping your visa/immigration status updated.

• Informing the Home Office of major life changes (e.g. divorce, change of address).

Failure to comply can result in fines, loss of visa, or removal from the UK.

Start early: Visa and relocation procedures take time.

• Secure job and housing: Having both lined up eases your transition.

• Keep documents accessible: Passport, visa letters, proof of qualifications.

• Join local communities: Expat groups offer vital support.

• Register with a GP: For ongoing healthcare access.

• Familiarise with UK culture: Helps with integration into workplace and social life.

• EU citizens must now meet immigration requirements to live, work, or study in the UK.

• Popular visa routes include the Skilled Worker visa, Graduate visa, and Health and Care Worker visa.

• Short-term visits remain visa-free but require ETA from 2025.

• The EU Settlement Scheme protects those who lived in the UK before 2021.

• Preparation and understanding legal obligations are essential for a successful UK relocation.

Resources and Official Links

• Customs, Taxes & Import Rules: What You Can and Cannot Bring to the UK (2025)

• UK Immigration System

• Check if you need a UK visa

• Skilled Worker Visa

• EU Settlement Scheme

• UK ETA Information

• UK ENIC

• Find a job

• Apply for a National Insurance Number

Living and working in the UK as a European citizen in the post-Brexit era may seem complex, but with the right preparation and understanding of the current immigration rules, it is entirely achievable. From securing the correct visa to navigating day-to-day life with confidence, EU nationals can still build rewarding lives in the UK. Whether you’re planning a short visit or a long-term relocation, staying informed about legal requirements like the ETA, work permits, and settlement options is key. As the UK continues to adapt its immigration policies, keeping up to date with official guidance and seeking expert advice when necessary will ensure you remain compliant and empowered throughout your journey.