Staff
Information for staff, family members and job applicants who are EU citizens.
Edinburgh is a truly global university, so at this time it’s especially important that we emphasise our ongoing commitment to international diversity and a community in which staff and students continue to feel valued and welcome.
Amid the continued uncertainty surrounding the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, we understand our staff – whether from the UK, the EU or outside the EU – will have questions.
It is crucial that you feel informed and supported throughout what many will find an unsettling period. Information for staff, family members and job applicants is available below, which answers many of the concerns that have already been raised around living and working in the UK post-Brexit, travel and visas, Erasmus+, and insurance.
Living and working in the UK
You will be able to continue living and working in the UK as you do now. However, you will need to obtain evidence of your right to stay by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme. You will need to apply to the Scheme by 30 June 2021.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit on 31 October 2019, you will need to apply by 31 December 2020.
You can find out more about the Scheme and how to apply on the HR webpages. There is also comprehensive information about the Scheme on the UK Government’s dedicated website.
If you come to the UK after the exit date of 31 October 2019 and before 31 December 2020 you will be able to continue living and working in the UK. However, you will need to obtain evidence of your right to stay by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme. You will need to apply to the Scheme by 30 June 2021.
You can find out more about the Scheme and how to apply on the HR webpages. There is also comprehensive information about the Scheme on the UK Government’s dedicated website.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit on 31 October 2019, you will be able to come to the UK but you will need to apply for European temporary leave to remain (Euro TLR) if you want to continue living and working in the UK after 31 December 2020. You’ll receive a temporary immigration status that will allow you to stay in the UK for three years from the date the status is granted. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a new immigration status under the UK’s new immigration system. This new system – which will come into effect from 1 January 2021 – is still being developed by the UK Government.
You can find out more about the Euro TLR Scheme on the UK Government’s website.
You will be able to continue living and working in the UK as you do now, i.e. without requiring immigration permission. You have a special status and are treated as being settled in the UK from the day you came to the UK. However, you can choose to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you wish to obtain official confirmation of your settled status and indefinite right to live and work in the UK.
Please note that if you have a family member who originates from outside the UK or Ireland, they will need to apply to the Scheme, unless they have immigration permission under a different category, for example under the Points Based System, and want to remain on this route.
You can find out more about the Scheme and how to apply on the HR webpages. There is also comprehensive information about the Scheme on the UK Government’s dedicated website.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit on 31 October 2019, you will be able to continue living and working in the UK as you do now. The special status which currently exists between the UK and Ireland will continue. This means you will be treated as being settled in the UK from the day you came to the UK.
If you come to the UK after the UK leaves the EU you will be able to continue living and working in the UK without the need for immigration permission. The special status which currently exists between the UK and Ireland will continue. This means you will be treated as being settled in the UK from the day you come to the UK.
However, you can choose to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you wish to obtain official confirmation of your settled status and indefinite right to live and work in the UK.
Please note that if you have a family member who originates from outside the UK or Ireland, they will need to apply to the Scheme, unless they have immigration permission under a different category, for example under the Points Based System, and want to remain on this route.
You can find out more about the Scheme and how to apply on the HR webpages. There is also comprehensive information about the Scheme on the UK Government’s dedicated website.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit on 31 October 2019, you will be able to come to the UK and live and work here indefinitely if you so wish. The special status which currently exists between the UK and Ireland will continue.
You will be able to continue living and working in the UK as you do now. However, you will need to obtain evidence of your right to stay by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme. You will need to apply to the Scheme by 30 June 2021.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit on 31 October 2019, you will need to apply by 31 December 2020.
You can find out more about the Scheme and how to apply on the HR webpages. There is also comprehensive information about the Scheme on the UK Government’s dedicated website.
If you come to the UK after the exit date of 31 October 2019 and before 31 December 2020 you will be able to continue living and working in the UK. However, you will need to apply for an EEA Family Permit before travelling to the UK and will then need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme once in the UK. You will need to apply to the Scheme by 30 June 2021.
You can find out more about the Scheme and how to apply on the HR webpages. There is also comprehensive information about the Scheme on the UK Government’s dedicated website.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit on 31 October 2019, you will be able to come to the UK but you will need to apply for an EEA Family Permit before travelling to the UK and will be allowed to stay in the UK until the end of 31 December 2020. You can apply for European Temporary Leave to Remain (Euro TLR) once you are here and your EEA/Swiss family member has secured their Euro TLR.
You’ll receive a temporary immigration status that will allow you to stay in the UK until your EEA/Swiss family member’s Euro TLR expires, which will be three years from the date their status is granted.
If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a new immigration status under the UK’s new immigration system. This new system – which will come into effect from 1 January 2021 – is still being developed by the UK Government.
You can find out more about the Euro TLR Scheme on the UK Government’s website.
Leaving and re-entering the UK
You will be able to leave and re-enter the UK as you do now, i.e. using a valid passport or national identity card. You’ll be able to come back in to the UK even if there’s less than six months remaining on your passport before it expires and needs to be renewed.
Please also note that the UK Government intends to phase out the use of national identity cards sometime in 2020. When they do so you will only be able to travel using your passport.
If you have a biometric passport (also known as an e-passport or digital passport), i.e. one with a small camera logo on the front cover, you will be able to use the ePassport gates to pass through UK border control.
You will not be expected to demonstrate that you were resident in the UK prior to the exit date of 31 October 2019. However we will be happy to provide with you with a letter confirming your ongoing employment by the University to have to hand with your identity documents. Please contact your local HR team to request this:
CAHSS: HR.CAHSS@ed.ac.uk | ISG: HR.infoservices@ed.ac.uk | CSE: HR.scieng@ed.ac.uk
USG and CSG: HR.SGS@ed.ac.uk | MVM: mvm.hradmin@ed.ac.uk | ACE: ace.hr@ed.ac.uk
More information can be found on the UK Government’s website:
In the event of a no deal, the above arrangements will still apply.
You will be able to leave and re-enter the UK on a valid passport. However, to re-enter you will also need evidence of your right to live in the UK as a family member, for example an EEA Family Permit, a UK issued residence card or status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you are from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the United States of America and have a biometric passport (also known as an e-passport or digital passport), i.e. one with a small camera logo on the front cover, you will be able to use the ePassport gates to pass through UK border control.
You will not be expected to demonstrate that you were resident in the UK prior to the exit date of 31 October 2019. However we will be happy to provide with you with a letter confirming your ongoing employment by the University to have to hand with your identity documents. Please contact your local HR team to request this:
CAHSS: HR.CAHSS@ed.ac.uk | ISG: HR.infoservices@ed.ac.uk | CSE: HR.scieng@ed.ac.uk
USG and CSG: HR.SGS@ed.ac.uk | MVM: mvm.hradmin@ed.ac.uk | ACE: ace.hr@ed.ac.uk
More information can be found on the UK Government’s website. You are advised to keep up to date with information on this website and sign up for relevant updates.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, in addition to your current passport/national identity card you will need to evidence your right to live in the UK as a family member through an EEA Family Permit, status under the European Temporary Leave to Remain scheme or another visa.
You will be able to travel to any of the below EEA countries – and Switzerland – as you do now until 31 December 2020, i.e. you will not need a travel visa.
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, some things will change. For example, European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) will no longer be valid for health cover and you will need to arrange your own travel insurance before you go. Further information - including the requirement to have at least six months remaining on your passport before it expires and needs to be renewed – and what you may need if you intend to drive abroad is provided on the Government website. You are advised to keep up to date with information on this website and sign up for relevant updates.
Health and wellbeing
If agreed, the transition period (starting on the date on which the UK leaves the EU and ending on 31 December 2020, or possibly after) will mean that EU and UK citizens will continue to enjoy many of the same rights as at present, including reciprocal health insurance. However, if the UK leaves the EU with no deal, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will no longer be valid, and you will need to arrange private health insurance.
EU Settlement Scheme
If you are resident in the UK before 31 December 2020, and wish to continue to live and work in the UK after this date, you will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme for evidence of your right to stay. You’ll need to do this by 30 June 2021.
If you can demonstrate that you have been living in the UK continuously for five years, you will be able to apply for ‘settled’ status. If you have less than five years, you’ll be granted ‘pre-settled’ status and will be able to update this to ‘settled’ status when you have been continuously resident for five years.
You can find out more about the Scheme and how to apply on the HR webpages. These contain a detailed set of FAQs which have been informed by the questions raised by staff who have already applied and gained a settlement status. There is also comprehensive information about the Scheme on the UK Government’s dedicated website.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, and assuming you were already living in the UK at exit date of 31 October 2019, you will have until 31 December 2020 to apply to the Scheme. If you arrive in the UK after 11pm on 31 October 2019, you will need to apply for European Temporary Leave to Remain if you wish to stay in the UK after 31 December 2020.
For general queries about the EU Settlement Scheme and how to apply, please email EUStaffQuery@ed.ac.uk.
If you need more tailored advice regarding your, or a close family member’s application, please contact our in-house immigration legal adviser via staffvisahelp@ed.ac.uk.
European Temporary Leave to Remain
This Scheme will only come into effect if the UK leaves the EU without an agreement, i.e. in a ‘no-deal’ situation. It will apply to all EEA/Swiss citizens and their non-EEA close family members, i.e. their spouse/partner and dependent children under 18 who arrive in the UK after 11pm on 31 October 2019. It will grant applicants the right to remain in the UK for three years, after which time they will need to secure a new immigration status.
You can find out more about the Euro TLR Scheme on the UK Government’s website.
Application support
In the event of a no-deal exit from the EU, we will publish more information about the Scheme and the practical support the University will provide.
Job applicants and prospective staff
The University is proud of its diverse workforce and remains committed to attracting talent from all over the world. We very much welcome applications from EEA/Swiss citizens, and from non-EEA citizens who are close family members of EEA/Swiss citizens, and are committed to supporting them to navigate the UK’s changing immigration landscape.
If you are offered and take up a post with us before 31 December 2020 you will need to obtain evidence of your right to stay in the UK by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme. You will need to apply to the Scheme by 30 June 2021.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit on 31 October 2019:
- If you were resident in the UK at exit date, you will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by 31 December 2020
- If you enter the UK after 11pm on 31 October 2019, you will need to apply for European Temporary Leave to Remain.
You can find out more about the EU Settlement Scheme and how to apply on the HR webpages. There is also comprehensive information about the Scheme on the UK Government’s dedicated website.
Information about European Temporary Leave to Remain can also be found on the UK Government’s website.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, we will provide more information when you take up your post.
If you are already living in the UK, you will be able to continue living and working in the UK as you do now. However, if you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to obtain evidence of your right to stay by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme. You will need to apply to the Scheme by 30 June 2021.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit on 31 October 2019, you will need to apply by 31 December 2020.
You can find out more about the Scheme and how to apply on the HR webpages. There is also comprehensive information about the Scheme on the UK Government’s dedicated website.
If you come to the UK after the exit date of 31 October 2019 and before 31 December 2020 you will be able to continue living and working in the UK. However, you will need to obtain evidence of your right to stay by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme. You will need to apply to the Scheme by 30 June 2021.
You can find out more about the Scheme and how to apply on the HR webpages. There is also comprehensive information about the Scheme on the UK Government’s dedicated website.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit on 31 October 2019, you will be able to come to the UK but you will need to apply for European temporary leave to remain (Euro TLR) once you are here. You will need to apply by 31 December 2020. You’ll receive a temporary immigration status that will allow you to stay in the UK for three years from the date the status is granted. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a new immigration status under the UK’s new immigration system. This new system – which will come into effect from 1 January 2021 – is still being developed by the UK Government.
You can find out more about the Euro TLR Scheme on the UK Government’s website.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, we will provide more information when you take up your post. The University has in place a number of support mechanisms to help its staff from outside the EEA to navigate the UK’s immigration system and is committed to extending this to EEA/Swiss nationals.
We recommend you also keep in touch with your future line manager. If you are joining us from outside the UK very soon after exit date, it may be advantageous for you to arrive in the UK and take up you post before 31 October 2019, if at all feasible. You can also raise any queries by emailing eustaffquery@ed.ac.uk.
If you are already living in the UK when the UK leaves the EU, you will be able to continue living and working in the UK as you do now. However, if you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to obtain evidence of your right to stay by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme. You will need to apply to the Scheme by 30 June 2021.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit on 31 October 2019, you will need to apply by 31 December 2020.
You can find out more about the Scheme and how to apply on the HR webpages. There is also comprehensive information about the Scheme on the UK Government’s dedicated website.
If you come to the UK after the exit date of 31 October 2019 and before 31 December 2020 you will be able to continue living and working in the UK. However, you will need to apply for an EEA Family Permit before travelling to the UK and will then need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme once in the UK. You will need to apply to the Scheme by 30 June 2021.
You can find out more about the Scheme and how to apply on the HR webpages. There is also comprehensive information about the Scheme on the UK Government’s dedicated website.
In the event of a ‘no-deal’ exit on 31 October 2019, you will be able to come to the UK but you will need to apply for an EEA Family Permit before travelling to the UK and will be allowed to stay in the UK until the end of 31 December 2020. You can apply for European Temporary Leave to Remain (Euro TLR) once you are here and your EEA/Swiss family member has secured their Euro TLR.
You’ll receive a temporary immigration status that will allow you to stay in the UK until your EEA/Swiss family member’s Euro TLR expires, which will be three years from the date their status is granted.
If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a new immigration status under the UK’s new immigration system. This new system – which will come into effect from 1 January 2021 – is still being developed by the UK Government.
You can find out more about the Euro TLR Scheme on the UK Government’s website.
Erasmus+ Staff Mobility 2019/20
Staff planning to undertake a staff teaching/training mobility through the Erasmus+ programme in 2019/20 will continue to be eligible for an Erasmus+ grant for as long as the UK participates in the Erasmus+ programme.
If the UK leaves the EU with a withdrawal agreement which includes a transition period, the UK will continue to participate fully in the Erasmus+ programme and staff will continue to be eligible for an Erasmus+ grant until 2020/21.
If the UK leaves the EU without an agreement, the EU has put in place regulations ensuring that staff who are undertaking Erasmus+ mobility activities in Europe on the day the UK leaves the EU will not see their mobility period interrupted and will continue to receive Erasmus+ funding.
The UK government has confirmed that in a no deal scenario it will underwrite funding for UK participants on Erasmus+ projects approved before the UK’s exit from the EU. This would cover staff planning to undertake an Erasmus+ teaching/training mobility after the UK leaves the EU.
Staff planning to visit the University of Edinburgh through the Erasmus+ programme will continue to be eligible for an Erasmus+ grant for as long as the UK participates in the Erasmus+ programme.
If the UK leaves the EU with a withdrawal agreement which includes a transition period, the UK will continue to participate fully in the Erasmus+ programme and staff will continue to be eligible for an Erasmus+ grant until 2020/21.
If the UK leaves the EU without an agreement, the EU has put in place regulations ensuring that staff who are undertaking Erasmus+ mobility activities in the UK on the day the UK leaves the EU will not see their mobility period interrupted and will continue to receive Erasmus+ funding.
If you are planning to visit the University of Edinburgh on a staff teaching/training mobility after the UK leaves the EU, a no-deal Brexit scenario is likely to impact on your ability to access funding from your home institution. Please check with your home institution before making any commitments.
EU-funded research and Horizon 2020 projects
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, everything will continue as normal until the end of the project, even though the UK will no longer be a member state. This means you’ll continue to be employed, and paid as normal until the end of the project.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, the UK government has guaranteed to underwrite the UK component of all EU funded research projects. The project that you are working on will continue, and you’ll continue to be employed and paid as normal until the end of the project.
GOV.UK: Horizon 2020 funding after Brexit
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, everything continues as normal until the end of 2020, even though the UK will no longer be a member state. UK researchers will be still fully eligible to apply for all H2020 funding.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, the UK Government has guaranteed to underwrite the UK portion of: all existing awards, awards notified as successful prior to exit date, eligible awards submitted prior or after UK exit date. For mono-beneficiary applications (i.e. ERC, MSCA-IF) still under evaluation at exit date, that are informed by the EC that evaluation will not continue after exit date, these applications will instead be evaluated by UKRI. Full details are available in this blog post.
In summary – we encourage applicants to continue to apply for EU funding.
GOV.UK: Horizon 2020 funding after Brexit