Moving abroad on a UK passport after Brexit
Where UK citizens can live after Brexit: Schengen limits, Ireland rights, working holidays, and the easiest long-stay visas for British passports. Compare cities on Jonzy.
A UK passport still opens a lot of doors, but EU free movement is gone: Schengen stays are capped at 90 days in any 180, and living in Europe now means qualifying for a visa like everyone else. The good news is that British applicants fit most programs easily.
What actually changed after Brexit
UK citizens became third-country nationals in the EU: the 90/180 Schengen rule applies, passports get stamped, and long stays require national visas. Existing residents were protected under the Withdrawal Agreement, but new moves need a legal route, most commonly a digital nomad, non-lucrative, retirement or work visa.
The one door that never closed: Ireland
The Common Travel Area predates the EU. British citizens can live, work, study and access services in Ireland with no visa, no time limit and no application. For anyone who wants an EU base with zero immigration paperwork, Dublin, Cork and Galway are the shortest possible move.
Easiest European long-stay routes for Britons
Portugal’s D8 (remote income) and D7 (passive income) remain the most popular, with Spain’s digital nomad visa close behind. Greece, Croatia, Malta and Cyprus all run remote-worker programs that UK applicants routinely clear. Income floors mostly sit between about $2,500 and $3,700 a month; each guide on Jonzy carries the current numbers.
Working holidays and the wider world
Australia and New Zealand offer working-holiday visas to Britons up to age 35, with multi-year options; Canada’s IEC runs similar schemes. Beyond that, UK passports are strong for nomad visas across Latin America and Southeast Asia, from Costa Rica to Thailand’s DTV.
How Jonzy helps
Set your passport to GB in Jonzy and the eligibility engine re-checks every long-stay program across 356 cities, showing what you already qualify for and the smallest change, income or savings, that unlocks the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Can UK citizens still live in the EU?
Yes, via national visas: digital nomad, non-lucrative, retirement, student or work permits. What ended was the automatic right, not the possibility. Most EU nomad visas ask for roughly $2,500 to $3,700 a month in remote income.
How long can a UK passport holder stay in Europe without a visa?
Ninety days in any 180-day window across the whole Schengen area, plus separate allowances in non-Schengen countries such as Ireland (unlimited under the CTA), the Balkans, Georgia and Türkiye.
Do British citizens need a visa for Ireland?
No. Under the Common Travel Area, UK citizens can live and work in Ireland indefinitely without any permission, and vice versa.
Which country is easiest for UK retirees?
Portugal’s D7 and Spain’s non-lucrative visa are the most travelled routes, both built around passive income rather than employment. Healthcare access and tax treatment differ, so compare both in Jonzy before committing.