Citizens of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the UK

If you are a British citizen, a Swiss national or a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) you do not need our permission to work in the United Kingdom. The EEA includes these countries: Austria Belgium Bulgaria Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden United Kingdom Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU). However, the European Economic Area Agreement gives nationals of these countries the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens. From the 1 June 2002, Swiss nationals have had the same rights as EEA nationals within the United Kingdom. They can work without a work permit. The Border and Immigration Agency cannot help people find jobs or provide information about tax or National Insurance contributions. For help finding work, contact Job Centre Plus. This is part of the Department of Works and Pensions. For information on National Insurance and tax contributions, you should contact the Inland Revenue. Bulgaria and Romania Parliament has now approved the regulations that will manage the flow of new workers into the UK from Romania and Bulgaria when they join the EU on 1st January 2007. These regulations follow the Government’s decision, announced on 24 October, to put in place transitional arrangements for these new member states whilst we make progress on our immigration reforms, and properly understand the wider impacts of an expanded European Union. At the heart of the new regulations is the restriction of low-skilled workers to existing quota schemes in the agricultural and food processing sectors. Skilled workers will continue to be able to work in the UK if they qualify for a work permit or under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. For further guidance and downloadable versions of all Bulgarian & Romanian application forms, please go to the All forms section of the Working in the UK website. Position for New Member States - Workers Registration Scheme The statement by the Home Secretary to Parliament on 23 February announced that workers from the new member states must register with the Home Office. From 1 May 2004 nationals from New Member States will be free to come to the United Kingdom. Nationals from Malta and Cyprus will have full free movement rights and are not required to obtain a workers registration certificate. Nationals from the following new member states; Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic who find a job in the United Kingdom are required to apply to register with the Home Office under the new 'Worker Registration Scheme' as soon as they find work. Full details on the Worker Registration Scheme are available this website.