Tag Archive for: brexit

Residence Permit „Art 50 EUV“

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The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (known as “BREXIT”) and thus also from the EU’s internal market and customs union brings with it numerous innovations. As a result, the right of residence for British nationals and their family members has been largely changed. As of 1st January 2021, the United Kingdom is considered a third country from the perspective of the EU. The Austrian legislator has therefore created a separate residence permit (“Residence Permit Art 50 TEU”) for British citizens and their family members residing in Austria (see amendment to the Austrian Residence and Settlement Act, Federal Gazette I 56/2018.

The status of British citizens and their (close) family members is ruled by the so called „Brexit-Implementation-Regulation“ published by the Austrian Minister of Interior, Federal Gazette II 604/2020.

British citizens and their (close) family members from third countries may now apply for a „residence permit according to Art 50 Treaty of the European Union“.

This residence permit is intended to ensure that British citizens and their close relatives have the opportunity to live, work and study in Austria.

The requirements for obtaining this residence permit – as has already been the case for EU citizens – are the following:

  • gainful employment or sufficient financial means to finance a stay in Austria for oneself and one’s family members without depending on social welfare benefits or public allowances, as well as
  • comprehensive health insurance covering all possible risks in Austria.

German language skills are not a required for the application for the residence title “Article 50 EUV”.

Since January 2021, the application is possible until the end of December 2021. Thus, there is a sufficient time window for the application. The residence permit “Article 50 EUV” is issued in credit card format and is generally valid for 5 years. Of course, the acquisition of a permanent right of residence is still possible. Persons who have already acquired a permanent right of residence in Austria are granted the residence title “Article 50 EUV” for 10 years.

An initial application has to be made in person at the competent authority. An application with a valid residence permit in Austria presently (due to COVID19) has to be submitted via mail. In Vienna, the application has to be submitted to the Municipal Department 35 (MA35). The personal application is to ensure that the identity of the respective person is guaranteed.

Due to the current COVID19 restrictions, appointments with the immigration office must be reserved online.

As experts in immigration law, we have assisted many clients in obtaining residence permits according to Art 50 TEU.
Feel free to contact us if you would like us to assist you with your “Article 50” residence permit application.

Brexit: Consequences of the Withdrawal Agreement

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Brexit: Consequences of the Withdrawal Agreement for the residence permits of UK citizens residing in Austria

Since 31.01.2020 the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the European Union. The United Kingdom and the European Union finally reached a Withdrawal Agreement that was ratified by the competent bodies, the British and the European Parliament (Link).

The „no-deal“ scenario was not realized.

The amendments of the Austrian Residence and Settlement Act („NAG“) that had been passed to provide for a „no-deal BREXIT“ have become obsolete due to this Agreement. The Austrian legislator will have to respond to the new situation and pass another amendment, implementing the relevant provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement (Part I, Art 13 et seq).

With regards to residence of UK citizens in EU member states, the Withdrawal Agreement provides for a transitory period ending on 31 December 2020. UK citizens and their relatives (even from „third countries“) residing in a member state of the European Union before the end of the transitory period may continue to live and work in the respective member state.

For UK citizens and their close relatives (spouses, young children) who do not yet have a formal documentation of their residence status in Austria, it makes sense to obtain such a documentation of the right of residence in Austria under EU law (see Article 19 of the Withdrawal Agreement).

A change to a permanent right of residence is also possible without any problems even after the transitory period has ended (Art 15 of the Withdrawal Agreement).

Once the transitional period ends, citizens of the United Kingdom will be granted a period of six months to apply for a confirmation of their continued right of residence (Art 18 of the Withdrawal Agreement). Such an application will be possible until the end of June 2021. The previous residence authorities will be competent for these applications.

UK citizens and their close relatives with a right of residence or permanent residence are granted access to the member states’ labour markets, meaning that their employment does not require a work permit (Art 22 of the Withdrawal Agreement).

Even after the transitory period, access to the labour market will continue to be open to persons who are already working in Austria under Article 24 of the Withdrawal Agreement. The same logic applies to self-employed persons (Art 25 of the Withdrawal Agreement).

It is therefore advisable for British citizens who wish to continue to live and work in Austria to take advantage of the favourable transitional rules.

We are happy to support you in all necessary steps.

Please do not hesitate to contact our office or make an appointment for a consultation on our website or via the Internet to assess your/your families situation under the Withdrawal Agreement.

[source image: ©Pixabay]

Einreise Brexit

Traveling to Austria and the Schengen area: no-deal Brexit

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Travellers from the United Kingdom planning to visit Austria and other EU countries need to consider some key points in the event of a “no-deal” Brexit.

With the likely cessation of the “free movement of persons,” a fundamental right for EU citizens, British citizens will face changes in travel regulations.

Upon entry into the Schengen area, including Austria, British citizens will need to:

  • Ensure their passport is current and valid (validity of at least 6 months and no older than 10 years).
  • Obtain traveller’s health insurance for healthcare coverage.

British citizens will be treated akin to citizens of non-EU countries upon entering Austria, undergoing border screening. Border control may require presentation of travel tickets and proof of sufficient funds. Declaration of cash exceeding £10,000 and goods is necessary. Access to EU, EEA, and Swiss lines at airports will cease for British citizens.

The United Kingdom/Great Britain will be categorized among the most favoured nations, allowing visa-free entry to the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, this privilege is limited to tourism; special visas will be required for business, education, or other purposes.

It’s important to note that overstaying without a visa or residence permit could lead to administrative penalties, expulsion, and a ban from entering the Schengen area. Therefore, British nationals planning extended stays should ensure they obtain the necessary visa/residence permit in advance.

For any questions regarding visa regulations, entry requirements, and residence permits for British citizens post-Brexit, our team is available to provide detailed assistance. Feel free to reach out for comprehensive information regarding your stay in Austria.

[source image: ©Pixabay]

Brexit_NoDeal

Austrian Residence for British citizens in the event of a “no-deal” – Brexit

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The deadline for the Brexit (or even in a worst case scenario a “no-deal” – Brexit), January 31, 2020, is approaching unstoppably. After representatives of the EU and the United Kingdom have found an agreement on important points of contention in October, it still cannot be excluded that a so-called “no-deal” – Brexit will occur. In any event, a Brexit will have effects for the residence permits of British citizens residing or intending to move to Austria.

 

British citizens and their (non-EU) families face uncertain times if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal. Previously, they were able to legally stay, work or provide services in Austria because of freedom of movement under European Union Law.

The residence permits were granted according to the Directive 2004/138/EC (Link) on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member states.

In Austria, British citizens were granted the residence permit “Anmeldebescheinigung”, their close relatives without British/EC-citizenship “Aufenthaltskarte”.

For the possible event of a “no-deal”-Brexit, Austrian lawmakers have taken precautions. In order to compensate for the loss of the EU residence permit, two special regulations were created.

  • For citizens of the United Kingdom living in Austria for less than 5 years, it is possible to obtain a residence title “Red-White-Red-Card plus” in accordance with the Austrian Residence and Settlement Act (“Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz”, short: “NAG”). This will make it possible to continue their legal stay and work in Austria. If the application is submitted within 6 months after the no-deal Brexit, the applicant is not obliged to proof German language skills. Most other residence titles according to the NAG require a proof of at least basic German language skills.
  • For British citizens who have been legally staying in Austria for longer than 5 years at the time of the no-deal Brexit, there is the possibility to obtain an unlimited residence title “Permanent Residence – EU” (“Daueraufenthalt-EU”), if the general requirements for a residence permit are met by the applicant.

In both cases, applicants who submit their application within 6 months after Brexit do not have to prove specific german language skills. This is an enormous advantage compared to the requirements for a residence permit by (other) third-country nationals.

We recommend British citizens with ties to Autria to seize this opportunity and apply for a residence permit under the preferential requirements foreseen in the Austrian Residence and Settlement Act.

We have been assisting British citizens with questions about their residence permit. Please do not hesitate to contact our office in time to get further information on the consequences of a no-deal Brexit and which steps have to be taken in order to legally stay or remain in Austria.

 

Please contact us if you wish us to advise you on the legal requirements for a residence permit for British citizens in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Contact us for an appointment or specific advice and representation at the Austrian immigration authorities.

 

[source image: ©Pixabay]

Brexit

BREXIT – residence permit for affected British nationals and their family relatives in Austria

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The so-called BREXIT, that is the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, – irrespective of a deal or a „no-deal“ – brings with it interesting questions regarding the right of residence in Austria. British citizens and their (non-EU) family relatives in Austria are concerned with the implications on their residence status in Austria: As the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, the right of residence for European citizens and their family members according to Directive 2004/38/EC ceases to apply. The same goes for the right of family reunion with British citizens.

According the Austrian Residence and Settlement Act („Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz“, short: „NAG“), British citizens hold a residence card as evidence of their right of residence („Anmeldebescheinigung“), their family relatives a card titled „Aufenthaltskarte“).

The Austrian legislator has passed an amendment to the Austrian Residence and Settlement Act for the event of a „no-deal“ BREXIT, regulating (inter alia) the effects of the BREXIT on the residence permits of British citizens and their family members. British citizens will have a special facility to be issued a „Red-White-Red card plus“. However, they must fulfil the requirements for a European Union’s right of residence at the time of the BREXIT. The special facility has to asserted within six months from the BREXIT.

Affected British citizens should get clarity on their legal right of residence in time and check if they meet the requirements for a change of their residence status after the BREXIT.

Please contact us if you wish us to assist you in case of a residence permit in connection with BREXIT.

[source image: ©ktsdesign]

Residence Permit – Student: Application, Evidence, Documents

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Summer time, vacation time – many students prepare for the coming university year 2019/2020. Many come to Vienna and plan to study at one of the renowned universities or colleges.

We gladly advise and assist in proceedings before the immigration authorities. Contact us early in order to avoid costly and risky mistakes like an overstay of the validity of your visa/visa-free stay.

Key words: residence permit student, application for a residence permit in Austria, duration of legal stay in Austria, proof of sufficient financial funds.

Students from outside the European Union planning to study in Austria have to apply timely for a “residence permit – student”.

An application may be submitted in Austria during their legal stay. However, submitting an application does not entitle the applicant to stay in Austria beyond the validity of his/her visa. The regular immigration regulations (e.g. maximum stay of 90 days in a period of 180 days) still apply.

The competent immigration authority (in Vienna: “Magistratsabteilung 35”) checks if the applicant has been legally staying in Austria at the time of application and afterwards. Even a short overstay may result in a rejection.

Frequently, the proof of sufficient financial funds for the stay and studies in Austria is burdensome.

You may contact as anytime for an initial consultation and further assistance with your application and proceedings before the immigration authority (in Vienna: Magistratsabteilung 35). We have years of routine and experience in immigration affairs, including student visas and residence permits for students.

[source image: https://pixabay.com/photos/books-study-literature-learn-stack-2158737/]