• Current students
      • Student centre
        Enrol on a course/exam
        My enrolments
        Exam results
        Mock Exams 2020/21
        CAP1 essential documents
        CAP2 essential documents
        FAE essential documents
      • Course information
        Students FAQs
        Student induction
        Course enrolment information
        Key dates
        Book distribution
        Timetables
        FAE Elective Information
      • Exams
        Exam Info: CAP1
        E-assessment information
        Exam info: CAP2
        Exam info: FAE
        Reasonable accommodation and extenuating circumstances
        Timetables for exams & interim assessments
        Interim assessments past papers & E-Assessment mock solutions
        Main examination past papers
        Information and appeals scheme
        JIEB: NI Insolvency Qualification
      • CA Diary resources
        Mentors: Getting started on the CA Diary
        CA Diary for Flexible Route FAQs
      • Admission to membership
        Joining as a reciprocal member
        Conferring dates
        Admissions FAQs
      • Support & services
        Audit Qualification requirements
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contracts
        CASSI
        Student supports and wellbeing
        Learning Hub data privacy policy
    • Students

      View all the services available for students of the Institute

      Read More
  • Becoming a student
      • About Chartered Accountancy
        The Chartered difference
        What do Chartered Accountants do?
        5 Reasons to become a Chartered Accountant
        Student benefits
        School Bootcamp
        Chartered Connect
        Study in Northern Ireland
        Events
        Blogs
        Testimonials of Flexible route
      • Entry routes
        College
        Working
        Accounting Technicians
        School leavers
        Member of another body
        International student
        Flexible Route
        Training Contract
      • Course description
        CAP1
        CAP2
        FAE
        New education offering
      • Apply
        How to apply
        Exemptions guide
        Fees & payment options
        External students
      • Training vacancies
        Training vacancies search
        Training firms list
        Large training firms
        Milkround
        Training firms update details
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contract
        Interview preparation and advice
        The rewards on qualification
        Tailoring your CV for each application
        Securing a trainee Chartered Accountant role
      • Support & services
        Becoming a student FAQs
        Who to contact for employers
        Register for a school visit
    • Becoming a
      student

      Study with us

      Read More
  • Members
      • Members Hub
        My account
        Annual subscription fees
        Annual returns
        Application forms
        CPD/events
        Member services A-Z
        District societies
        Professional Standards
        Young Professionals
        Advocacy
        Careers development
      • In practice
        Going into practice
        Practice Matters
        Practice toolkits
        Members in practice committee
        Practice networks
        Helpsheets
        Compliance support
        Members' complaints adviser
        Free services
        Our approach
        Workshops and professional training with a difference
        Abhaile Scheme
        Practice News webinars
        GDPR resources for practices
      • Overseas members
        Working abroad
        Working in Australia
        Overseas members news
        Tax for returning Irish members
      • In business
        Networking and special interest groups
        Articles
      • Public sector
        Public sector news
        Public sector presentations
      • Support & services
        Letters of good standing form
        FAQs for Chartered Accountants
        AML confidential disclosure form
        CHARIOT/Institute Technical content
        TaxSource
        Pocket diaries
    • Members

      View member services

      Read More
  • Employers
      • Training organisations
        Authorise to train
        Training in business
        Course enrolment information for firms
        Manage my students
        Incentive Scheme
        Recruitment to and transferring of training contracts
        Securing and retaining the best talent
        Tips on writing a job specification
      • Training
        In-house training
        Training tickets
      • Recruitment services
        Hire a qualified Chartered Accountant
        Hire a trainee student
      • Non executive directors recruitment service
      • Support & services
        Hire members: log a job vacancy
        Firm/employers FAQs
        Training ticket FAQs
        Authorisations
        Hire a room
        Who to contact for employers
    • Employers

      Services to support your business

      Read More
☰
  • Find a firm
  • Jobs
  • Login
☰
  • Home
  • Knowledge centre
  • Professional development
  • About us
  • Shop
  • News
Search
View Cart 0 Item

News

  • Home/
  • News
☰
  • News
  • News archive
    • 2020
    • 2019
  • RSS feeds store
  • Press releases
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2021
  • Newsletters
  • Press contacts
  • Media downloads
  • Podcasts Chartered Accountants Ireland
  • Budget day news

Cross-border workers & Brexit

Jan 03, 2021

There are an estimated 23,000 to 30,000 cross-border workers who live in one part of the island of Ireland and work in the other.  These workers have, among other things, a right to employment and have access to healthcare and social welfare benefits.  The Common Travel Area arrangements will protect these rights for Irish and UK citizens. For some EU citizens living or working in the UK, however, Brexit, regardless of the outcome of negotiations, will bring changes.

The Government of Ireland and the UK government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding‌, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining the Common Travel Area regardless of the Brexit negotiations outcome. 

This means that after Brexit, Irish and UK Citizens will be able to continue to travel freely between the UK and Ireland in the same manner as before.  There will be no requirements for passport controls when the border is crossed. 

Under the Common Travel Area arrangements, British [SR1] citizens will be able to work in Ireland without an employment or residence permit, including on a self-employed basis and vice versa.

Facts about the Common Travel Area

  • Applies only to Irish and British citizens.
  • Allows movement of people between Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
  • Provides the right to enter, live and work without need for special permission.
  • Ensures access to social welfare, healthcare, social housing, and education.
  • It is an arrangement in place since 1922 but it is not contained in legislation.

Common Rights

Under the Common Travel Area, Irish citizens and British citizens in each other’s state have the right to access social security benefits on the same basis as citizens of that state. This includes reciprocal arrangements for Social Insurance schemes, Social Assistance schemes and Child Benefit.

Under the Common Travel Area, all existing arrangements regarding Social Insurance entitlements will be maintained in Ireland and the UK. This means that Irish citizens living in Ireland maintain the right to benefit from Social Insurance contributions made when working in the UK and to access Social Insurance payments if living in the UK and vice versa.

Under the CTA, Irish citizens and British citizens who live in, work in, or visit the other state have the right to access healthcare there, on the same basis as citizens resident in the State.

Employee mobility post Brexit – EU citizens

For EU citizens working/residing in the UK

The freedom of movement of people between the EU (excluding Ireland) and UK will end on 31 December 2020. The issue of employee mobility and access to labour is more important than ever for maintaining the integrity of the all-island economy, especially with regards to Northern Ireland’s ability to hire people from both Ireland and the rest of the UK. This is important for Northern Ireland economic competitiveness and labour market.

While Irish nationals can continue to enter and work in the UK under the Common Travel Area agreement, this does not cover EU nationals living in Ireland and travelling across the border. Under the new UK immigration system that is to come into effect on 1 January 2021, both EU and non-EU nationals will be treated equally.

Employers in Northern Ireland in particular should take measures to reduce the risk of labour shortages, such as ensuring that employees from other EU Member States are aware of, and encouraged to apply for, the EU Settlement Scheme.

Employers should take steps to prepare for the post-Brexit immigration system, including verifying qualifications, considering the requirements under the new points-based system, and availing of any possible temporary transitional immigration schemes which may assist.

For businesses in the UK hiring from the EU

From 1 January 2021 there will be guaranteed changes for businesses hiring in the UK:

  • From 1 January 2021, a new ‘points-based’ immigration system will replace the current rules for workers from outside the UK.
  • Employers will need to be a licensed sponsor to hire eligible workers from outside the UK, including EEA, EU, and Swiss Citizens. This normally takes 8 weeks and fees apply. Check your business is eligible and read the accompanying sponsorship guidance.
  • New job, salary and language requirements will apply to anyone from outside the UK who you want to hire. Check that the people you want to hire will meet the requirements for coming to the UK for work.

The new system will not apply to hiring Irish citizens, or EU citizens already living and working in the UK who are eligible under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Useful links

  • Gov.uk guidance on recruiting people from outside the UK from 1 January 2021
  • Gov.uk guidance on UK visa sponsorship for employers
  • Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the UK on Common Travel Area

 [SR1]UK?

The latest news to your inbox

Please enter a valid email address You have entered an invalid email address.

Useful links

  • Current students
  • Becoming a student
  • Knowledge centre
  • Shop
  • District societies

Get in touch

Dublin HQ

Chartered Accountants
House, 47-49 Pearse St,
Dublin 2, Ireland

TEL: +353 1 637 7200
Belfast HQ

The Linenhall
32-38 Linenhall Street, Belfast
Antrim BT2 8BG, United Kingdom.

TEL: +44 28 9043 5840

Connect with us

Something wrong?

Is the website not looking right / working right for you?
Browser support
CAW Footer Logo-min
GAA Footer Logo-min
CCAB-I Footer Logo-min

© Copyright Chartered Accountants Ireland 2020. All Rights Reserved.

☰
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy statement
  • Event privacy notice
  • Sitemap
LOADING...

Please wait while the page loads.