Reminder: Rules will change for British citizens wishing to move to Norway after 1 January 2021

The United Kingdom left the EU on 31 January 2020. A transition period has been agreed and will last until 31 December 2020. During the transition period, the United Kingdom will be treated as if it were still a member of the EU and EEA (European Economic Area). Regulations for citizens of countries outside EU/EEU will apply to British citizens wishing to move to Norway after 31 December 2020. The Government would like to remind both public and business sector about the change of regulation and the need to adapt to the end of free movement.

– In order to ensure that the transition will be as smooth as possible, we ask the public and the employers to adapt to the new situation when regulations for citizens of countries outside EU/EEU will apply to British citizens after 31 December 2020, says State Secretary Vegard Einan from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

British citizens coming to Norway after 31 December 2020

British citizens and their family members who wish to come to Norway to live, work or study after 1 January 2021 will be treated according to the rules that apply to citizens of countries outside the EEA/EU. This means that British citizens wishing to work in Norway will need to apply for a residency permit. The same rules will apply for British citizens that are temporary service suppliers. Under the current regime, service providers can come to Norway for work for up to three months without the need to register. 

British citizens may apply for residency permit according to the regulations for citizens of countries outside EU/EEA, see www.udi.no.  

British citizens that are temporary service suppliers that have a contracts or assignments that start in 2020 but end after 1 January 2021, will also have to apply for the residency permit.

– The employers in Norway may continue to employ British citizens without change until the end the transiton period. This will secure that the ongoing contracts will be completed without disruptions and delays. We expect that the public and the employers adapt to regulations for citizens of countries outside EU/EEA, says the state Secretary. 

British citizens residing or coming to Norway before 31 December 2020

If you are a British citizen with permanent right of residence in Norway on the date the transition period comes to an end, you will retain this right, but you will have to apply for a permanent residence permit and residence card. Norway will be issuing a new type of residence permit for British citizens who live in Norway or move to Norway before the end of the transition period.The new application procedures are being developed, and are due to be introduced on 1 January 2021. Information about the new application procedures will be published on the UDI website later this year.

Future Free Trade Agreement 

Norway has started to negotiate a new free trade agreement with the United Kingdom. The ambition is to negotiate an extensive agreement that will also cover trade in services. This will include commitments for temporary service providers. Nevertheless, the free movement British citizens will come to an end by the end of 2020, and British citizens will need to apply for residency permits if they wish to reside and work in Norway.

Norwegian citizens in the United Kingdom

From 1 January 2021, free movement of EU/EEA-citizens to the United Kingdom will end. This will apply to Norwegian citizens as well.   

Norwegian citizens and their family members living in the United Kingdom or moving to the United Kingdom before the end of the transition period may apply for settled/pre-settled status through the EU settlement scheme.  

If you are a Norwegian and are planning to work, study or settle in the United Kingdom from 2021, new immigration routes will open for applications to work, live and study in the UK from 1 January 2021. The United Kingdom will introduce a points-based immigration system. The system will prioritise the skills a person has to offer, not which country they come from.