One of the many effects of Brexit that are now being felt by individuals in the UK is that the exit from the EU has significantly impacted the travel freedom of UK citizens. As such, there are many frustrating consequences of Brexit, but the most severe outcome is generally felt if individuals plan to stay in the EU for longer durations, or require greater flexibility for frequent travel, such as due to work or other connections.
It is not surprising that those with ties to the EU are looking for options to regain their now-lost rights in the EU, and while this may not always be a straightforward process, some individuals may have reasonable avenues available to them to regain easier access permissions even after Brexit.
One of those options may be to consider family background. While this isn’t available to everyone, you may consider the German citizenship by descent great-grandparent route a viable option to regain your EU travel rights if you have family history in the country. There are a couple of avenues for individuals whose ancestry ties back to the EU, including the German citizenship by descent great-grandparent route, if you have great-grandparents in Germany who may make you eligible, for example. Of course, this may not be accessible to everyone but it is worth considering if you are looking for a way to regain your rights in the EU.
This is a collaborative post.
How can UK Citizens Regain Freedom of Movement in Europe after Brexit?
Of course, the overarching answer here may be a push to rejoin the EU, seeing how the UK’s decision to exit this agreement has impacted its residents. However, while this would offer some relief, it is also the path that the individual at the moment will have the least amount of control over. As such, while this might be a desirable goal for many, it is important to look at the avenues available right now.
To regain EU travel rights after Brexit, the most effective step would be to consider avenues towards EU-based citizenship, which can nowadays be paired with dual citizenship if you have UK citizenship and do not want to give this up. Of course, this will vary depending on your specific circumstances, and you should check to make sure that you would be eligible.
While there are several avenues that involve visas, you will have to decide what your goals are towards travel mobility in the EU. For specific purposes such as work or if you are planning to study in the EU, the visas available for this purpose may be suitable. But for more long-term solutions, or if you want to gain mobility without being tied to specific circumstances, your best options may be via ancestry, if you are eligible. Obtaining an EU passport by descent can be a fast-track option towards full travel mobility in the EU. But you will need to have eligible family connections to the country you are applying through.
How to Get An EU Passport after Brexit
If you want to get an EU passport after Brexit, you will usually have to follow standard immigration procedures, which involve obtaining and maintaining a long-stay visa for an eligible EU country, and then applying for citizenship once you meet the requirements to do so, which usually involves several years of residence in said country, plus additional eligibility factors. This can be suitable if you are planning to relocate to the EU permanently, but it isn’t as versatile an option if you are hoping to regain travel mobility in the EU without shedding your ties to the UK.
To get EU travel rights back after Brexit while maintaining your connections to the UK, you are more likely to find a satisfying option if you already have eligible connections to the EU that make you eligible for an EU passport by descent. It is a good option as it often offers a pathway towards a passport that can be faster than other immigration routes, but it is very limited as this will only be available to individuals with the right kind of family history. The specific avenue to get EU travel rights back after Brexit via an ancestry visa also depends on the specific EU country that you may have such connections to, as the process and requirements vary depending on which country you are trying to get an ancestry visa through.
Can Former EU Citizens Regain Their EU Rights
In place of open borders, travellers from the UK are now faced with restrictions and more delayed procedures, such as the loss of access to the fast-track line at airports for passport control points. Besides this, short-stay processes for visiting the EU have become more complicated, generally requiring an European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) waiver. It should be noted that you likely have an avenue towards regaining your EU rights if you have previously held citizenship or if you qualify for an EU passport by descent. This will depend on the circumstances of your previous citizenship, and it may be more straightforward if you were born in the EU or have strong family connections to the region.
At a glance, previous EU citizens who have lost their EU travel rights because they moved to the UK, possibly before the UK and certain EU countries allowed for dual citizenship, should be eligible to re-apply for their EU passport, but you will have to prove your connections to the EU and a reason that you need to have access to the EU, such as due to relocation, studies, or work, among other reasons.
All in all, there are some good options to regain your EU travel rights after Brexit, but they will still involve a complicated process of applying and providing evidence of your eligibility. If you have a persistent and long-term need to access the EU and travel freely, this can very well be worth it. But unfortunately, there isn’t currently a quick-fix solution to remedy lost EU travel rights after Brexit that doesn’t involve such a process.