Brexit: questions remain on the rights of European and British expats after agreement between the United Kingdom and European Commission

“Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”. This wording, contained in the 15-page document detailing the agreement between the European Commission and United Kingdom (see article no. 10489), which will see talks over Brexit move on to their next phase, is enough to explain why some of the worries surrounding the UK departure from the bloc are yet to be assuaged. While it was the first time European and British citizens were given a guarantee, in black and white, on their future rights, many expats, trade unions and companies want more clarity.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Preservation of rights. The three million Europeans living in the UK and one million Brits living in the EU, and companies in particular, have long awaited a promise that citizens’ existing rights would be preserved. In the deal agreed by both sides, citizens will continue “to live, work or study as they currently do under the same conditions as under Union law”. Amid concerns over “reciprocal protection for Union and UK citizens”, the agreement finally states in black and white that all citize

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Oliver Dietrich (IG Metall): “The advent of AI can be a means of deepening social partnership within companies”
In Germany, trade unions want to influence how AI is deployed in companies. Oliver Dietrich is an AI project manager at the regional office of the IG Metall trade union in North Rhine-Westphalia...
France: transposition of the pay transparency directive takes shape
The transposition of the European directive on pay transparency into French law is entering a decisive phase. The Minister of Labour, Jean-Pierre Farandou, wants to present the bill to Parliament...
21 January 2026
France: 2026 budget expected to maintain employer contribution relief
On 19 January 2026, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu decided to invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass France's 2026 budget without a vote in the National Assembly. Three days...
EU: European Parliament calls for a directive on just transition
On 20 January, MEPs approved, with 420 votes in favour, an own-initiative report calling for a just transition directive. The text calls for the protection of workers to be guaranteed in the...
20 January 2026
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
United Kingdom: government urged to legislate against forced labour
After consulting victims, businesses and NGOs, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) has published a report showing that the UK is lagging behind in the fight against forced labour. The...
13 January 2026
2
EU: European Parliament calls for a directive on just transition
On 20 January, MEPs approved, with 420 votes in favour, an own-initiative report calling for a just transition directive. The text calls for the protection of workers to be guaranteed in the...
20 January 2026