Summary

1. The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. The Withdrawal Agreement set the
terms of the UK’s departure, providing a smooth exit and orderly transition to
the future relationship for people, businesses and organisations across our
country. A transition period is now in effect and will end on 31 December 2020.

2. The Government has been clear that its priority is to provide certainty for EU
citizens living in the UK, and UK nationals living in the EU. Part Two of the
Withdrawal Agreement gives people certainty that their citizens’ rights will be
protected. People within scope of Part Two of the Withdrawal Agreement will
have broadly the same entitlements to work, study and access public services
and benefits as now, in as far as these entitlements have derived from UK
membership of the EU.

3. The Withdrawal Agreement is without prejudice to Common Travel Area
arrangements between the UK and Ireland and the rights of British and Irish
citizens in each other’s state. Irish citizens in the UK will not need to apply for
settled status to protect their entitlements and UK nationals in Ireland will not
need to register their residence.

4. This document is intended as a guide to support understanding of Part Two of
the Withdrawal Agreement, which entered into force on 31 January 2020.

Source: UK Government, read the full document here