The European Union has agreed to extend the U.K.’s March 29 withdrawal deadline, imposing two new dates — April 12 and May 22 — that will determine the course of the U.K.’s departure.

The terms of the extension stipulate that while there is an unconditional extension until April 12, a full extension until May 22 will need to be approved by parliament.

Meanwhile in the Netherlands, the IND has started to send a temporary residence permit in order to ensure that in the event of a no-deal Brexit all UK nationals and their family members living in the Netherlands retain their residence rights. The temporary residence permit is only valid in the Netherlands during a national transition period up to 30 June 2020. UK nationals and their family members registered in the local BRP (Personal Records Database) can use the temporary residence permit to demonstrate that they are entitled to live, work and study in the Netherlands in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The temporary residence permit can only be used in combination with a valid passport. Throughout the national transition period, the IND will send UK nationals and their family members living in the Netherlands an invitation to submit an application for a new residence permit in stages.

In the event of a deal, the temporary residence permit is not needed. In that case, UK nationals and their family members will continue to derive their residence right directly from the right to freedom of movement and residence.

During the extension period,  it is important that UK nationals keep their temporary residence permit in order to retain their lawful residence in the Netherlands, as it is still possible that there will be no deal.

Expat Management Group closely monitors the developments on Brexit and keeps its clients updated accordingly.