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European Economic Area and Swiss nationals

This section contains for European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss national wanting to work in the United Kingdom.

All EEA and Swiss nationals are free to enter and live in the United Kingdom without the need 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. If you are a national of Bulgaria or Romania, you may need to apply for our permission before you start to work.

Applying under European law

All other EEA and Swiss nationals are free to take work in the United Kingdom without needing to apply for our permission. You should see the section for European citizens for more information.

  • Bulgarian and Romanian nationals

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

  • Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme

    This section explains the requirements for the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme. The scheme allows Bulgarian or Romanian nationals to undertake short-term agricultural work in the United Kingdom.

  • Sectors Based Scheme

    This section explains the requirements for the Sectors Based Scheme. The scheme allows Bulgarian or Romanian nationals to undertake low-skilled work within the food manufacturing sector.

  • Worker Registration Scheme

    This section explains what the Worker Registration Scheme is how to register. If you are a citizen of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia, and want to work for an employer in the United Kingdom for more than one month, you will normally have to register under the Worker Registration Scheme.

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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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