‘Get Ready For Brexit’ campaign launches in Belgium
The UK government has launched a major information campaign urging UK nationals living in and travelling to the EU to take steps to get ready for Brexit on 31 October 2019.
The information campaign, launched on 16 September 2019, will inform the more than one million UK nationals living in the EU about specific actions they need to take to secure their rights and services in their host country, including information on residency, healthcare, driving licences and passports.
It will also encourage people travelling to the EU to make all necessary preparations by checking passports, buying travel insurance and checking driving licenses and pet passports.
The campaign will use multiple channels - from Facebook posts to newspaper ads – urging people to take action ahead of 31 October.
Martin Shearman, British Ambassador to Belgium, said:
Protecting the rights of UK nationals in Belgium is an absolute priority as we leave the European Union.
I’d urge UK nationals in Belgium to visit our Living in Guide for Belgium where they can find out about the steps they need to take and get specific information about residency, healthcare, passports and driving permits in Belgium.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said:
We are stepping up efforts to ensure Britons abroad are prepared for Brexit on 31 October. This campaign provides practical advice to the more than one million British people living in the EU, as well as British tourists and business travellers.
There are over one million UK nationals living in the EU, with around 25,000 British nationals living in Belgium.
Extra funding
The UK government recently announced up to £3 million in grant funding for charities and other voluntary organisations who can inform UK nationals about the need to register or apply for residency and to support them as they complete their applications.
The Government also allocated an extra £300,000 to British Embassies and Consulates across the EU to engage with ‘hard to reach’ UK nationals such as disabled people, those living in remote areas or people who might need extra help to complete any paperwork in preparation for Brexit.
This extra assistance will build on the support that British Embassies are already providing with more than 541 outreach events with UK nationals since November 2017. So far the UK Embassy in Belgium has organised 23 outreach events across Belgium, and another 4 are scheduled.
Europe is the most popular travel destination for British travellers, with around 60 million visits every year.
Living in Belgium guide
The new information campaign asks UK nationals to take action to prepare for Brexit by checking the Living in Belgium Guide and:
- apply for residency
- register for healthcare
- exchange their UK driving licence for a Belgian one
- check their passport is valid for travel