Britons lack awareness of their Withdrawal Agreement rights in France, survey finds

Britons and their close non-EU national family members are insufficiently aware of their Brexit Withdrawal Agreement rights, in areas including pensions, social benefits and rights to bring family to France, a report states.

The group British in Europe (BiE) has presented results of a survey it ran last year relating to WA rights in which several Connexion readers and team took part and for which residents in France were the largest contributors.

Survey results show the vast majority of respondents in countries such as France, where it was necessary to apply for a card to secure WA rights, did this and have received cards. 

A minority had not, raising questions as to how they will prove rights to services or avoid registration in the new EES digital borders system for non-EU national visitors.

However, BiE said “updated and targeted information campaigns are needed to ensure WA beneficiaries are more fully appraised of their rights to family reunification, access to pensions, child benefit and social security, and equal treatment in the workplace and in access to housing and other services".

The group also noted that “2025 and 2026 are crucial years for upgrading to permanent residence (and) it is incumbent on [EU] member state authorities and the UK government to ensure comprehensive information on how to do this is widely available.”

The aim of the WA was that, with exceptions such as voting, Britons living in EU countries before Brexit should continue to live their lives as before.

However, half of respondents who are workers did not know the WA entitles them to equal treatment with French and EU nationals and non-discrimination at work. Only 33% were aware the WA entitles them to the same housing benefits or the same social and tax advantages.

Among the self-employed, fewer than half knew about these rights or equal rights to run a business, obtain help from employment offices, or benefit from union membership or collective agreements.

Overall, less than 60% of respondents were familiar with pension rights [including aggregation rules relating to combining pensions from different EU countries and the UK] and half did not know about their rights to social benefits, including child benefit.

Some 25% of respondents with elderly dependent parents did not know the WA allows their parents to live with them in France.

BiE said this shows more support is needed to make sure WA beneficiaries understand their rights to pensions and other benefits.

BiE, which was founded in 2017 and came to prominence during the Brexit negotiations, received EU funding in 2023 to work on issues including awareness-raising around the WA, as well as the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Its website provides a 'toolkit' to understanding these. 

The EU has now come to an end, so the group is seeking donations in order to continue its work monitoring respect of WA rights. 

How aware are you of your WA rights? If there is a point that you would like us to clarify, let us know at feedback@connexionfrance.com