THE UK-EU agreement on the Brexit deal that was reached earlier this week that will come into effect on January 1, 2021 will have an impact on Northern Ireland (NI) residents in a number of ways, including travel, study and work.

Dr. Katy Hayward – a reader in sociology at Queen’s University Belfast, and the author of ‘Bordering on Brexit’ – outlined the practical changes arising from Brexit for those living in NI in a thread posted to her Twitter account this week.

Dr. Hayward highlighted that those born in NI have a birthright to Irish citizenship, and Irish citizens retain their EU citizenship rights.

She said: “Because Brexit means Brexit, British citizens no longer have those rights, and there will be a change in visiting, staying and working in the EU after January 1.”

Irish citizens (Irish passport holders) will retain their Freedom of Movement rights so therefore can live, work or study in an EU country without the need for a visa or permit, and without a time limit.

These rights extend to their spouses and dependent children.

However, when visiting EU countries, British citizens (British passport holders) will need to have at least six months left on their passports, will have to pass through the ‘non-EEA’ lane, and cannot use e-gates.

They will also need a visa to stay more than three months and/or to engage in paid work in an EU country.

From January 1, there will be no automatic recognition of UK qualifications in EU26 countries (referring to the EU’s 27 member states, minus the Republic of Ireland, where some other arrangements have been agreed), with this to be negotiated in the future on a profession-by-profession basis.

Regarding social security, in determining a state pension or social security benefits, British and Irish citizens who work in the EU will be able to take into account relevant contributions paid, and periods of work or residence in both the EU and UK.

There will be Duty-Free shopping on direct movements between the UK and the EU, but there will be no Duty-Free sales between NI and GB, or NI and the Republic of Ireland.

There will be limitations on the amount of excise goods (alcohol, cigarettes) that can be brought back from the EU into the UK.

The UK and Irish governments have signed an Memorandum of Understanding that includes rights to work, reside, study and vote for British and Irish citizens in the UK and Ireland.

They have also committed to ensuring mutual recognition of professional qualifications “in accordance with national laws”.

Cash amounts of more than £10,000 will have to be declared on entering NI from GB.

Dr. Hayward explained that, regardless of citizenship, there are big changes ahead in practical matters.

She said: “Those in NI are affected by the terms of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, but there are also some differences for those in NI.”

She went on to outline how travel and study will be impacted. NI students in NI universities will retain access to the Erasmus scheme, enabled by an Irish government commitment.

However, British citizens will need to apply for a study visa in the relevant EU country for a course lasting more than three months. International, not domestic, university fees may be charged.

Regarding emergency health cover in the EU, current European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) of UK residents will be valid until their expiry date.

They will then be replaced with a UK Global Health Insurance Card, which will cover necessary healthcare whilst on a temporary visit to the EU.

The UK government encourages people to get comprehensive travel insurance.

To drive in the EU from January 1, those with a UK-registered car will require a ‘green card’ for motor insurance – this includes residents of NI who wish to drive in the Republic of Ireland.

Some countries will require an international driving permit. If involved in a road accident, legal proceedings will have to occur through the local court, and not in the UK.

UK mobile providers may charge roaming fees when in the EU; this will include when crossing the Border. There will no longer be a cap on the price of calls and texts to and from the EU.

NI pets are entitled to EU pet passports, and these are still valid for the EU.

For payments, existing consumer rights and protections will continue to apply when using a bank card, and it will still be possible to send or pay in Euro electronically, but there may be an increase in the time it takes to process a transfer.

Tourists and visitors from the EU will still be able to come visa-free for up to six months; however, from July 1, 2021, EU26 citizens – those other than Irish citizens – will no longer have the automatic right to live and work in the UK.

Such EU26 citizens are advised to apply for settled status prior to July 1.

NI employees who want to employ new EU26 workers after January 1 must apply for a sponsorship licence.

For those living in the Republic and who are working in NI, a Frontier Worker Permit will be needed after July 1, 2021.

There are protections for social security contributions for cross-Border workers, plus they need only to pay contributions to one state.