Flags tied to railings outside Parliament are reflected on a wet pavement in London, January 24, 2019. (source: AP/TASR)
Why is it better to register with the Foreigners' Police before Brexit? The police have recently published a video on Facebook to offer an explanation.
“Our bureau will send to all UK citizens, who have an address in our databases, an information letter with all the instructions,” said Ladislav Csémi, a director of the Office of Border and Alien Police (ÚHCP).
The police will attach a temporary residence document to it as well.
Those without an address in the police databases can find the necessary information on the Interior Ministry's website soon.
Csémi mentioned two scenarios for UK nationals living in Slovakia: one concerns Brits who manage to get registered prior to Brexit, the other for those who fail to do so.
Registration before Brexit
UK citizens who have registered or will register before Brexit can automatically stay in Slovakia as long-term residents or residents with permanent residence. They will not be required to visit the Foreigners' Police department since the police change everything in their information systems.
“Your rights will be preserved; for instance, your approach to the labour market,” Csémi claimed.
Brits who have never registered with the Foreigners' Police but plan to stay in Slovakia after Brexit must apply for a residence percent in person by December 31, 2020.
“If you want to keep your legal status automatically, we highly recommend you visit the Foreigners' Police department prior to Brexit and register as EU citizens,” Csémi said.
The police have also called on Brits leaving Slovakia to inform them about their departure by e-mail, at the very least.
Registration after Brexit
If UK nationals living in Slovakia do not register in time, they will be asked to apply for a residence permit as a third-country national. If they fail to do so, they will have to leave Slovakia within 90 days.
The police video came out a week after the government adopted a draft bill in response to a hard Brexit on March 13. If it is passed by the parliament, a total of 19 laws will be changed.
“The priority of the Slovak Republic is, in the case of no-deal Brexit, to ensure legal certainty to British citizens residing in the Slovak Republic,” the government said about the draft.
