Brexit and Citizens’ Rights

Abstract

Immigration was a major point of debate and disagreement in the UK during the 2016 Brexit referendum. Following three years of negotiations, the European Union and the UK have come to an agreement – though not yet in a binding form – on the protection of citizens’ rights post-Brexit. This agreement, however, covers only those EU nationals who are living in the UK (and vice versa) at the moment of UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The future mobility framework is yet to be determined. This article discusses what citizens’ rights have been negotiated between the Parties and what the possible mobility regimes for the future EU-UK relationship are. It is suggested that whatever policy is chosen the new regime will be far removed from the free movement notion as is currently enjoyed under EU law. Even more so in a no-deal Brexit scenario.