BREXIT consequences in terms of residence law 
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Basic information
Great Britain and Northern Ireland left the European Union at the end of January 31, 2020.
According to Section 1 of the Brexit Transition Act, Great Britain and Northern Ireland remain a member state of the European Union for the transition period until December 31, 2020. This means that they will continue to be entitled to freedom of movement in 2020. This means that the residence rights of British nationals and their family members and the right to work in Germany will not change during this period. British nationals therefore do not require a residence permit until December 31, 2020 if they wish to live in Bremen.
From January 1, 2021, British nationals who were previously entitled to reside or work in Germany and had exercised this right will essentially have the same rights as before the withdrawal. The rights will therefore be frozen, as it were, insofar as they have been used. These rights exist "by operation of law". You can therefore assert them without any further action on your part.
However, in order to be able to prove that you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you will need to obtain a document from the Immigration Office. Therefore, all British nationals are obliged to report their stay in Germany to the Migration Office. You can find more details under "Procedure".
In principle, British nationals and their family members can continue to be employed beyond 31.12.2020 if they were already employed there before.
Further information on the right of residence and employment for British nationals and their family members can be found under "Further information".
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Procedure
The notification of residence must be submitted in the period from 01.01.2021 to 30.06.2021. The notification of residence can be submitted informally by email to ref20@migrationsamt.bremen.de or by post.
It is not necessary to appear in person.
Please be sure to enclose a copy of your current British passport with your notification of residence.
In order to process your notification of residence, we also require two pieces of evidence that you are currently residing in Germany and that you were already here before 01.01.2021. This can be, for example, invoices, employment contracts, payslips, rental agreements, utility bills, etc. Unfortunately, a registration certificate alone is not sufficient proof.
Should we require further documents or have any queries, we will contact you.
You will receive confirmation and further information from the Immigration Office once you have registered.
If you are considering applying for German citizenship, please contact our Citizenship Office for a non-binding consultation: (see "Further information").
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Competent Department
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Aufenthalt
- +49 421 361-88630 (montags bis donnerstags von 08.00 Uhr bis 12.00 Uhr)
- Stresemannstraße 48, 28207 Bremen
- office
@migrationsamt. bremen. de
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Migrationsamt
- 0421 361-88630
- Stresemannstraße 48, 28207 Bremen
- office
@migrationsamt. bremen. de
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Fees / Costs
We will inform you in writing about the costs for your new residence document in 2021.
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The official information in German is complete and correct. 05.11.2025