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Who is a frontier worker

You are eligible for a frontier worker permit if, before 1 January 2021:

• you were commuting regularly to work in a country or countries where you do not live
• the countries where you were commuting to work are in the EU or EFTA (European Free Trade Association: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)

If you do not meet these conditions or if you were providing services, you may need a visa or permit to work in an EU or EFTA country where you do not live.

Read our guidance on working in other EU and EFTA countries. Each country listed includes links to the London embassy and government department(s) for the country where you want to work.

Some countries refer to frontier workers as ‘cross-border workers’. This guidance uses the term ‘frontier worker’.

Your rights as a frontier worker

If you were frontier working before 1 January 2021, your rights are protected by the:

• UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement. Read our Withdrawal Agreement explainer
• UK-EEA EFTA (European Economic Area - European Free Trade Association) Separation Agreement. Read the Separation Agreement and our explainer
• UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement. Read the Citizens Rights Agreement and our explainer

As a frontier worker, you may:

• also work in the country where you live
• be employed or self-employed
• work in more than 1 country, if you already did so before 1 January 2021

You can only continue to work in countries where you were previously regularly commuting to work. You cannot start working in new countries as a frontier worker.

Frontier worker permit

To prove you are a frontier worker, you may need to apply for a permit in the country where you work. Check the requirements for the country or countries you work in.

If you work in a country where a permit is not required, you still have the right to ask for a permit if you want one. If you do not obtain a permit, this does not lose you your rights as a frontier worker. However it might mean it is difficult for you to show evidence of your rights.

Read the (which is part of the ).

Residence information for frontier workers

As a frontier worker you may require 2 cards:

• a frontier worker permit for the country or countries where you work
• if you live abroad, a new residence document. Read the Living in Europe guide and the for more information

Travelling as a frontier worker

When you travel, carry your frontier worker permit, as well as your valid passport, especially within the .

If you are asked to show your passport at border control, you must proactively show your frontier worker permit, or other evidence of your frontier worker status.

If you cannot prove that you are a frontier worker in the country you are travelling to, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the Schengen Area, and your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights as a frontier worker.

The requirement for British citizens to have at least 6 months validity remaining on their passport does not apply to you for entering or exiting a Schengen Area country or countries where you frontier work. It also does not apply to entering or leaving the country where you are resident.

Time spent frontier working does not count towards your 90-days visa-free limit within a 180 day period for the Schengen Area. The same rule applies to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area. You should check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

Citizens’ rights: advice and complaints

The European Commission provides information on the in each EU country.

Its (link may not be accessible on some web browsers) on your rights in EU countries and how to resolve issues with or submit a complaint about a public body regarding your rights. You can also bring your case to national courts and tribunals to resolve issues relating to your citizen rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

You can about a breach of EU law.

You can also about an EU institution or body.

How to prove your rights as a frontier worker (or cross-border worker)

Austria

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Austria. You should apply for a ‘Bestätigung gemäß § 3 Absatz 8 Ausländerbeschäftigungsgesetz für Artikel 50 EUV - Grenzgänger und Grenzgängerinnen’ certificate at the regional office of the Austrian Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice).

Read:

• : read the ‘can I continue to work in Austria’ section on frontier worker permits

Belgium

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Belgium. You should apply for a new frontier worker ‘N’ card by 31 December 2021. Contact the local municipality (commune/gemeente) where you work for more information.

Read:

• Belgian government’s or
• Belgian government’s or

Bulgaria

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Bulgaria. You should register with the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior.

Read:

• : the ‘Travelling to Bulgaria’ section includes information for frontier workers

Croatia

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Croatia.

Read:

• : read the ‘frontier worker’ section of the guidance
• Croatian government’s (in Croatian)
• Croatian government’s (in Croatian)

Cyprus

The Cypriot government has not yet confirmed if frontier workers need a different permit. We will update this page as soon as information is available.

Czech Republic

You do not need a frontier worker permit to continue working in the Czech Republic. We will update this guidance on how to ask for a permit, if you wish to have one, when we have more information.

Read:

• in section 4 ‘Issue of certificates regarding the rights of cross-border workers’

Denmark

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Denmark.

Read:

• at the end of the ‘Applying for new residence documents under the Withdrawal Agreement’ section
• (in Danish)

Estonia

You may need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Estonia.

Read:

• : read the section ‘information concerning frontier workers who are UK citizens’

Finland

You do not need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Finland. If you wish, you can using the ‘Brexit_7’ form (right of residence under the Withdrawal Agreement).

Read:

• , including frontier worker permits
• (in Finnish)

France

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in France. You should apply for a frontier worker permit from the Prefecture where you work.

To apply, you need a valid passport, a recent photograph, and a certificate of employment or proof of self-employed activity on French territory.

Read:

• : read the FAQ on ‘Do British residents who had already started working in France before 1 January 2021 but who reside in another country (frontier workers) have to take any steps?’
• (in French)
• (in French)

Germany

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Germany. You should apply for a new frontier worker permit (Aufenthaltsdokument für Grenzgänger-GB), at the local Foreigners Authority for your workplace.

Read:

• our guidance on how to register as a frontier worker with your local Foreigners Authority
• (in German)

Greece

The Greek government has not yet confirmed if frontier workers need a different permit. We will update this page as soon as information is available.

Hungary

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Hungary.

Read:

• which includes ‘rules for residence for frontier workers in Hungary’
• (in Hungarian) and (in Hungarian)

Iceland

You need to register with the to continue working in Iceland.

Ireland

The Common Travel Area allows British citizens to work in Ireland (including on a self-employed basis) without needing to obtain permission. If you are a frontier worker you do not need a permit but may request one if you wish.

Read the Irish government’s guidance for UK nationals, which includes information for frontier worker permits.

Italy

You do not need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Italy. However, you can apply for one if you wish. You can obtain a frontier worker permit from the immigration office (questura) nearest to where you work.

Read:

• . Page 8 information on ‘what is foreseen for frontier workers’ explains how to request an electronic document to certify you are a frontier worker

Latvia

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Latvia.

Read:

• which includes how to apply for a frontier worker permit

Liechtenstein

You need a frontier worker permit ‘Grenzgängerbewilligung’ to continue working in Liechtenstein.

Read:

Lithuania

You do not need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Lithuania. However if you stay longer than 90 days in a 180-day period, you will need to apply for a temporary residence permit issued on grounds of working there.

Read:

• (available in Lithuanian and English)

Luxembourg

You do not need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Luxembourg. However, you can apply for one if you wish. Contact the local municipality where you work for more information on what documents you need.

Read:

• (in French)

Malta

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Malta.

Read:

Netherlands

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in the Netherlands.

Read:

• (in Dutch)

Norway

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Norway.

You should apply on the Norwegian Immigration Directorate’s (UDI) website by completing the application form under ‘Brexit regulations’ (right of residence under the Separation Agreement).

Read:

Poland

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Poland. You should apply for a frontier worker permit before 31 December 2021.

Read:

• . There is a section with information for frontier workers.
• (in English and Polish)
• (in Polish)
• (in Polish)

Portugal

The Portuguese government has not yet set out the full process to obtain a frontier worker permit.

Read:

• . Read the response to question about a British Citizen living in London but often travelling to Lisbon for work

Romania

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Romania. You should apply for the permit (‘permis de ședere temporară pentru lucrători frontalieri’) at the immigration office nearest to where you work.

Read:

• : read the section on permits for frontier workers
• (in Romanian)

Slovakia

You do not need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Slovakia. However, you can request one if you wish.

Read:

• : read section 6 on cross-border workers

Slovenia

You do not need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Slovenia. However, you can request one if you wish.

Read:

• : read the ‘frontier worker’ and ‘application forms’ sections
• (in Slovenian)

Spain

You do not need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Spain. However, you can request one if you wish.

Read:

• , which includes information for frontier worker permits
• (in Spanish)

Sweden

You do not need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Sweden. However, you can request a certificate of your status if you wish.

Read:

Switzerland

You need a frontier worker permit to continue working in Switzerland.

Read: