Brexit: Are pet passports nonetheless legitimate? And different questions

With the UK set to depart the EU, how will Brexit have an effect on you? We reply readers’ questions on pet passports, residents’ rights, pensions and extra.

What are the rights of British expats residing within the EU? – Eliza Ward, Brittany, France

There will probably be no adjustments to the rights of UK residents already resident in EU nations, plus Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway,

There’ll no adjustments within the rights of UK residents to reside, work, journey and entry training and healthcare in EU member states, all through the 11-month transition interval.

The transition is the time between 31 January and 31 December 2020 when UK and EU negotiators purpose to agree the detailed phrases of the brand new relationship.

UK nationals who’ve been residing in an EU nation constantly for 5 years on the finish of the transition interval can have the precise to reside there completely.

Those that have lived there for lower than it will achieve this proper once they have lived there for 5 years.

Totally different EU nations have their very own guidelines on the best way to apply for everlasting residence.

The UK authorities web site supplies country-by-country guides on what to do.

• All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU
• What is the transition period?

Do I want a European licence to drive in Europe in the course of the transition interval? – Eleanor Inch, Deal, Kent

No. UK driving licences will nonetheless be legitimate for visiting EU member states, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as much as 31 December 2020.

What occurs subsequent will depend upon what comes from negotiations on the longer term relationship between the UK and the EU.

However after transition, UK motorists might have an Worldwide Driving Allow (IDP) to drive in these nations.

Totally different states have totally different necessities, which you can find here.

• Driving after Brexit: What you need to know

Is the pet passport for my canine nonetheless legitimate and are there more likely to be any adjustments? – Stuart Burrows, Manchester

In the course of the transition interval, UK pet house owners will be capable of journey to the EU with their canine, cat or ferret, utilizing a present UK-issued EU pet passport.

In case your pet doesn’t have a passport, you’ll need to go to your vet.

Pets have to be:

• microchipped
• vaccinated in opposition to rabies
• a minimum of 15 weeks previous when travelling

And canines have to be handled for tapeworm.

After the transition interval, this will likely change.

The UK authorities regularly updates its advice page on pet passports.

I’m French. Do I want to use for settled standing within the UK? – Olivier Thomas, London

EU residents within the UK can have broadly the identical rights as UK residents within the EU.

The UK has its personal EU Settlement Scheme.

Beneath this, EU residents who’ve lived within the UK constantly for 5 years can apply for settled standing.

It will entitle them to reside and work within the UK, deliver their household to the UK and apply for British citizenship.

Those that have lived within the UK for lower than 5 years can apply for pre-settled standing, granting lots of the similar rights as these with settled standing.

This may be upgraded to settled standing after 5 years’ steady residence.

Irish residents are exempt from the scheme, as their rights are assured within the UK.

EU residents with solely a permanent-residence doc might want to apply for settled standing, as will those falling into other categories.

When is the Brexit ‘divorce invoice’ truly paid to the EU? – Shaun Curtis, Aberthin, Vale of Glamorgan

Beneath the phrases of the UK’s withdrawal settlement with the EU, it should make a sequence of funds.

This is named the monetary settlement or, extra generally, the Brexit divorce invoice.

When the Brexit date was 31 October 2019, the Workplace of Funds Accountability (OBR), the unbiased physique that analyses authorities funds, estimated the invoice was £32.8bn – decrease than the £39bn determine steered by the federal government in March 2019.

When Brexit was delayed – repeatedly – it meant a few of that cash was paid because the UK’s regular funds contributions, so less of it was part of the divorce bill.

The OBR has but to replace the determine to mirror the brand new Brexit date, 31 January 2020.

However the BBC News Reality Check team believes it to be slightly below £30bn.

The OBR says most of this will probably be paid by 2022.

However some comparatively small funds, primarily in direction of pensions for EU civil…