Finland misinterpreted it – Brits need a new permit after Brexit

The European Commission has announced that the withdrawal agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union has been partially misinterpreted in Finland. This means that even British citizens who have an EU permanent residence certificate in Finland must exchange it for a new residence permit card in accordance with the exit agreement.

The exit agreement provides for the right of Britons residing in the European Union to apply to exchange their right of residence for a new one. In Finland, it has been interpreted to mean that the law is not an obligation and that previous permanent residence permits will therefore remain valid. The Ministry of the Interior regrets the incorrect instructions.

The commission has now made it clear that under the Withdrawal Agreement, all Britons must apply for a new status in order to retain their rights in Finland.

So far, the Home Office and the Swedish Migration Board have strongly recommended that all British citizens apply, as the new residence permits make it easier to implement cases both in Finland and at the external borders of the Schengen area.

If you have a certificate of a previous permanent residence right in the European Union, the application for a new right of residence is free of charge. The application period for the new right of residence began on October 1, 2020 and continues until September 30, 2021.