British Citizens’ Rights in Norway: An Update

The British Embassy hosted a Town Hall meeting on British citizens' rights in Norway in relation to Brexit.

Following months of uncertainty about the future rights of Britons living in Norway after Brexit, the British Embassy held an information meeting in Oslo to address the concerns of the 15,000 Brits that live and work in Norway, and the 18,000 Norwegians who live and work in the UK.

Two members of the Department for Exiting the European Union have been actively working with the countries that are closely aligned to the EU without being full members: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. They joined Sarah Gillett, the British Ambassador to Norway, to give an update.

The implementation period is “good news”

First of all, the Ambassador spoke of Brexit in general terms based on the recent announcement of the implementation period. “The implementation period is good news for a number of reasons.

Although the UK will leave the EU next March, we will continue with the same set of circumstances for citizens and businesses until December 2020. There are though going to be some important differences.”

“For example, when we leave the EU next March we are going to be able to negotiate with other countries such as Norway, although any agreements could only come into affect after the implementation period.”

“From the outset, Norway and the UK agreed that each others citizens were positive contributors and there should be no difficulty in coming to an arrangement. Once the direction of travel between Britain and the EU became clear, the UK began detailed discussions with Norway.”

Citizens' rights “remain a priority”

The withdrawal agreement which was agreed in December contains some interesting points, which the team hopes will also be extended to Norway.

“Anyone who is lawfully resident at the end of the transition period will be covered by the withdrawal agreements in the country they are currently resident in. These people can have confidence that they will be able to live and work as they do today,” explained a spokesperson.

Permanent residence

One key piece of information given is that permanent residence will still be valid under the terms of the withdrawal agreement, and those without the five years needed for permanent residence will be given the opportunity to earn those years.

Whether you need to reapply for permanent residence on an ongoing basis will be up to the individual country. Permanent residence will only be lost once the person has been out of the country for five years, an extension on the usual rules.

Although this deal currently applies to EU citizens only, it is hoped to extend this to Norway. However, the team were not able to commit to this.

“Any specifics on Norway and their permanent residence process are for them. We can't answer those questions today. Our expectation is that we will aim to mirror as much as we possibly can what we are agreeing with the EU”, said a spokesperson.

I know many people who have taken permanent residence (myself included!) since Brexit, and you can find out full details on how to do that here.

Pensions

Currently pension contributions earned in Norway are counted towards a state pension in the UK and vice-versa. Nothing is expecting to change for those people who fall under the withdrawal agreement.

“Your contributions will continue to be aggregated, and those contributions can be made both before and after the exit and they will both be recognised”, explained a spokesperson.

There wasn't a great deal of new information given but it was useful to hear that the rights of British citizens living in Norway are planned to follow those of Britons living anywhere in the EU.