Moving back to UK after Brexit

Thinking about moving to the UK? Brexit is probably on your mind, whether you’re an expat moving back to the UK after living abroad or relocating for the first time.

Currently, the UK is scheduled to leave the European Union on Friday, 29 March 2019. There’s a “transition period” pencilled in that will last until at least the end of 2020 while all the details of this monumental shift are ironed out. No one knows what it will look like and predictions are a mix of the positive and all-out doom and gloom.

Here are a few interesting predictions for what moving back to the UK after living abroad might look like in a Brexit world.

Daily life could change – but probably not much.

Growth of the housing market will slow over the next five years, but not entirely stop.

Some consumer items may be more expensive, but others may be cheaper. Pre-Brexit, only 17% of consumer items are imported (although food is 30% imported). There’s a chance to boost local products, but moving out of the EU single market will mean renegotiating trade. Trade with EU countries may be more complicated, but it could also create new opportunities with other countries like the US and Canada.

Some industries might be on shaky ground for a while, especially those that have relied on EU funding. Agriculture, environmental projects, and remote areas might suffer. At the same time the UK government and organisations won’t be bound by regulations of the EU and may be able to take things in new directions.

Holidays may become a little more expensive.

The cheap flights and airline accountability could be lost, making those easy holidays Europe is so famous for a little more difficult for those in the UK.

“The rules that govern compensation in the case of flight delays and cancellation are part of an EU regulation,” said Stephen D’Alfonso of the Association of British Travel Agents. “Therefore, it follows that UK passengers could no longer be covered by these compensation guarantees.”

Expect to hear more Antipodean accents.

Immigration regulations will change. With the free movement of the EU no longer applicable, a points based system (similar to Australia’s point based system) may be used. The final outcome for EU citizens could also depend on the rights and status given to British people living in the EU.

However, it may make it easier for those from the Commonwealth to make the move to the UK. Don’t be surprised if you hear more New Zealand, Australian, and South African accents in the streets.

The world of academia and research will change.

If you work in academia, you may find research opportunities with Europe change and there’s less funding – but some of the EU regulations will also be shedded. New academic opportunities could open up, not only with other countries but in terms of research funding. The UK could become a major innovator.

Expat Brits in Europe may be tempted to move back.

There are around two million UK expats living in EU countries. Their pensions and healthcare are currently protected under reciprocal arrangements, and they have the right to work, own property, and claim some other benefits. Brexit will mean these arrangements no longer apply.

It may be that expats are given the chance to apply for dual citizenship, or that other visas or agreements become available. However, there may be more expats moving back to the UK.

You’ll need to get your passport out.

Those open borders that make the EU so tempting will close for the UK. You may also need to get your passport out to cross between Northern Ireland and Ireland – which is likely to create its own problems for those who live on this small island.

A final Prediction.

According to one psychic (who supposedly predicted Brexit and Trump would happen), the US will initiate a major trade deal with the UK pre-Brexit that will shake the EU. After a hard Brexit, Germany will at the last minute relent and allow a trade deal with the UK.

The UK will thrive post-Brexit, even in an unstable global economy.