BREXIT – British citizens employed by a Norwegian employer

The UK has left the EU. British citizens are no longer citizens of the EU, and the UK is no longer a member of the European Economic Area (EEA). The transition period with the Withdrawal Agreement ended 31 December 2020.

For British citizens, what you should do now, depends on when the employment relationship in Norway started.

Employed on or before 31 December 2020

• You are covered by the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement and will retain your right under the EU/EEA regulations.
• You can apply for a residence permit according to the Brexit-regulations. Deadline for submission is 31 December 2021.
• There is no application fee.
• The residence permit will be granted for up to one year at a time and can be renewed.  
• Without a residence permit you can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days during a 180-day period.

Also see our Brexit overview

Employed after 1 January 2021

• You must follow the rules that applies to citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA.
• You must apply for a residence permit.
• You are not allowed to work until a permit has been granted.
• There are requirements relating to the employment relationship, education/qualifications:
  • • • The job must normally be full-time
      • The job you are offered must require qualifications as skilled worker and you must have the qualifications that the position requires.
      • You must have completed education or degree from a university/university college or completed vocational training programme of at least three years at upper secondary school level. If you do not have any education, you must have special qualifications that you have obtained through long work experience, if relevant in combination with courses etc.  Your qualifications must be equivalent to those of someone who has completed vocational training.  
      • The pay and working conditions must not be poorer than what is considered normal in Norway:

• • • • • • • • Master degree – min NOK 428 200 per year
              • Bachelor’s degree – min NOK 397 100 per year
• The application fee to the police is 6300 NOK
• The residence permit will as a main rule be granted up to one year at a time. If the position requires that you have completed an education or degree from a university/university college, there is a chance that you can get a permit for up to three years at a time.
• The permit can be renewed

Also read: Rules and requirements regarding entry to Norway

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