Brexit
On 31 January 2020, the UK left the European Union. The transition period, during which the details of Brexit and the future relation with the EU were negotiated, started on this date as well and ended on 31 December 2020.
This section aims to share Brexit-related information relevant to current and prospective students by way of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Because the situation is still evolving, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this content.
UU presents: Brexit Q&A session for current UK students
On 9 December we organised a Brexit Q&A session about (applying for) the Withdrawal Agreement residence document for UK students currently studying at Utrecht University and residing in the Netherlands. Missed the session? You can watch the recording here:
For degree students with a UK nationality:
No, unfortunately we are not able to make exceptions for students due to the current Covid-19 epidemic.
This depends on a few factors. Please visit the website of the Dutch national government for more information. You can view our tuition fees here (bachelors, Masters). Also, please read the information of the municipality where you (are planning to) live (Utrecht).
From 1 January 2021 onwards, UK students require a residence document or a residence permit to live in the Netherlands. Which type you require, depends on your situation:
Students who already lived in The Netherlands & registered with the municipality BEFORE the transition period ended on 1 January 2021:
You require a residence document under the Withdrawal Agreement (‘WA’). If you have not yet submitted your application for the WA residence document with the Immigration and Naturalisation Office (IND), they recommend you to do so as soon as possible, and by 30 June 2021 at the latest.
You must apply for the WA residence document yourself, directly with the IND. You can submit your application online, via the IND website.
For the online application, you will need the following:
- BRP registration
- a DigiD. (If you do not have a DigiD yet, apply for it here)
- valid UK passport
- proof of enrolment at the university (download via OSIRIS student. Instructions can be found here)
- sufficient financial means to continue living and studying in the Netherlands
- valid health insurance
For further details, please refer to the IND website or call the IND Brexit helpline (088 –0430410).
Students who come to live in The Netherlands AFTER 31 December 2020:
If you were not registered with a Dutch municipality before 1 January 2021, then you are not eligible for a residence document under the Withdrawal Agreement. If you want to come to The Netherlands for your studies for more than 90 days, then you require a residence permit for study purposes.
UK students who will start an Utrecht University programme per 1 september 2021, will receive information about the residence permit application procedure in May 2021.
Yes. If you are (planning on) living in the municipality of Utrecht, please read more here.
Please note that the date of registration may affect your tuition fee. Check What tuition fee applies to me as a UK national? for more information above.
This depends on the outcome of the transition period negotiations between the EU and the UK and on whether you already are registered as a resident in the Netherlands (i.e. registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) on the Brexit date. In general, read more here about student finance.
During the transition period
The transition period started on 31 January 2020 and will end on 31 December 2020. During this period British students will be treated the same way as EU students. During this period, you remain/can receive the right to student finance as a EU citizen if you meet the other eligibility criteria, see the website of DUO.
No deal after the transition period
If you are registered as a resident in the Netherlands on the Brexit date, then you remain/can receive the right to student finance if you meet the other eligibility criteria. See the website of DUO.
If you are not registered as a resident in the Netherlands on the Brexit date, then probably you will not be eligible for student finance. However, please see the website of DUO to make sure.
Yes, you will keep access to Dutch health care after Brexit. However, whether you are insured for the costs of health care will depend on the outcomes of the negotiations during the transition period between the EU and the UK.
During the transition period
During the transition period, you will remained insured for health care in the Netherlands after Brexit via your NHS insurance if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Do check the website of the UK government and the NHS for details on what is insured and what not is insured to determine whether to buy additional travel insurance. Also see this webpage.
No deal after the transition period
In case of a no deal, you will most likely need to buy separate health care insurance. Please check the websites of the UK government and the NHS for updates. Also see this webpage for information for non-EU students.
For exchange students:
This depends on the outcomes of the negotiations between the EU and the UK during the transition period. In a no deal scenario, you will need a visa if you want to stay longer than 90 days. There is still little known about this scenario. Please check the website of the UK government for more information. During the transition period, you will not need a visa.
Current projects and exchange
Under the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK will continue to participate fully in the current programmes (2014-2020). Projects selected during this period will continue to receive funding for the full duration of the project. Thus, even if the project in question continues beyond 2020.
This means that participants who study, train, volunteer or spend time abroad through Erasmus+ or Horizon Europe will be able to participate fully and for the full duration of their exchange. These will be British participants going abroad and Dutch participants going to the UK.
New projects and exchanges
Negotiations on the future relationship are still ongoing. One of the aspects under negotiation is the UK's participation in Union programmes Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe. The outcome of these negotiations is still highly uncertain, partly because of the coherence with the broader agreement being negotiated between the EU and the UK. Even when a deal is made, the exact terms and conditions are still uncertain at this time.
This depends on the outcome of the negotions between the EU and the UK during the transition period.
During the transition period
The transition period started on 31 January 2020 and will end on 31 December 2020. During this period the UK will not ask for a visa. Therefore, nothing will change in upcoming period.
No deal after the transition period
If you arrive in the UK before the end of the transition period, you will most likely not need a visa. This however is not completely clear yet. If you arrive in the UK after the transition period ends and you want to stay for longer than 3 months, you will need to apply for European Temporary Leave to Remain. Please check the website of the UK government for more information.
The UK will continue to participate in the current Erasmus+ programs (2014-2020). If you go on an exchange to the UK in 2021-2022, you may still be eligible for an Erasmus+ grant. For more information and the adjusted application procedure, please contact the Erasmus+ Office via erasmus@uu.nl and keep an eye on the Erasmus+ page.