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European Economic Area and Swiss nationals

This section contains information for nationals of countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland who want to work in the United Kingdom.

All EEA and Swiss nationals can enter and live in the United Kingdom without needing to apply for our permission.

If you are a national of a country that joined the European Union (EU) in 2004, you may need to register with us when you start work - see below. If you are a national of Bulgaria or Romania, you may need to apply for our permission before you start to work. All other EEA and Swiss nationals are free to take work in the United Kingdom without needing to apply for our permission.

For more information about living and working in the United Kingdom as an EEA or Swiss national, go to the European citizens section.

  • Bulgarian and Romanian nationals

    If you are a Bulgarian or Romanian national, you may need our permission before you can work in the United Kingdom. This section explains who needs to apply for permission, and how to apply.

  • Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme

    This section describes the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme, which allows Bulgarian or Romanian nationals to undertake short-term agricultural work in the United Kingdom.

  • Sectors Based Scheme

    This section describes the Sectors Based Scheme, which allows Bulgarian or Romanian nationals to undertake low-skilled work within the food manufacturing sector.

  • Worker Registration Scheme

    This section explains the registration process for citizens of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia who want to work for United Kingdom employers for more than one month. These citizens cannot normally work here for more than one month unless they have registered.

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Terms explained

  • European Economic Area

    Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.

  • European Union

    Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

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