Brexit: Germany passes law to guarantee rights of British residents
Germany has passed a new law that gives UK nationals living in the country a secure residence status.
The new legislation writes into law the regulations applicable in Germany for the continued residence of up to 100,000 UK nationals and their family members who will be living in Germany on December 31st 2020.
The law effectively guarantees UK nationals living in Germany by the end of the year a secure residence status and the right to stay.
But there are certain conditions that Brits must abide by.
For a start they must report their residence to the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) responsible for their area of residence by June 30th 2021.
READ ALSO: Britons in Germany urged to apply for residence status by June 2021
Germany's Interior Ministry adds: "It is not sufficient for them to register with the residents’ registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt). Having reported their residence to the foreigners authority, they will be issued with a residence document.
The Aufenthaltsdokument-GB card will look something like this.
If you’ve been in Germany for over five years and have gained permanent residence under the WA, then this can also be noted on the card (but you’ll need to ask explicitly for this to be included) pic.twitter.com/gchY9EBiKG
— British in Germany (@BritsinGermany) November 25, 2020
"This may take some time, but the legality of their residence status will not be affected."
The ministry reminded Britons that they will only be covered by the legislation if they move to Germany before the end of December 2020.
And those who intend to move to Germany after the end of the transition period on December 31st will therefore be subject to different rules.
READ ALSO: Q&A will I be able to move to Germany after the Brexit transition period?
"Such people will be subject to the rules that apply to all other third-country nationals: for longer stays or the pursuit of an economic activity in Germany, they will require approval from the foreigners authority," the interior ministry says.
"If they wish to remain for anything beyond a short stay or certain working visits in the Schengen area, as of 2021 they will need a visa before entering Germany."
READ ALSO: What Britons in Germany need to know about the law that guarantees residency
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The new legislation writes into law the regulations applicable in Germany for the continued residence of up to 100,000 UK nationals and their family members who will be living in Germany on December 31st 2020.
The law effectively guarantees UK nationals living in Germany by the end of the year a secure residence status and the right to stay.
But there are certain conditions that Brits must abide by.
For a start they must report their residence to the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) responsible for their area of residence by June 30th 2021.
READ ALSO: Britons in Germany urged to apply for residence status by June 2021
Germany's Interior Ministry adds: "It is not sufficient for them to register with the residents’ registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt). Having reported their residence to the foreigners authority, they will be issued with a residence document.
The Aufenthaltsdokument-GB card will look something like this.
— British in Germany (@BritsinGermany) November 25, 2020
If you’ve been in Germany for over five years and have gained permanent residence under the WA, then this can also be noted on the card (but you’ll need to ask explicitly for this to be included) pic.twitter.com/gchY9EBiKG
"This may take some time, but the legality of their residence status will not be affected."
The ministry reminded Britons that they will only be covered by the legislation if they move to Germany before the end of December 2020.
And those who intend to move to Germany after the end of the transition period on December 31st will therefore be subject to different rules.
READ ALSO: Q&A will I be able to move to Germany after the Brexit transition period?
"Such people will be subject to the rules that apply to all other third-country nationals: for longer stays or the pursuit of an economic activity in Germany, they will require approval from the foreigners authority," the interior ministry says.
"If they wish to remain for anything beyond a short stay or certain working visits in the Schengen area, as of 2021 they will need a visa before entering Germany."
READ ALSO: What Britons in Germany need to know about the law that guarantees residency
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