The Scottish Government

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i UK's Transitional Regulations

Extract from Home Office Website http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk

Citizens of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the UK

If you are a British citizen, a Swiss national or a national of a country in the European Economic Area ( EEA) you do not need our permission to work in the United Kingdom.

The EEA includes these countries:

Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union ( EU). However, the European Economic Area Agreement gives nationals of these countries the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.

From the 1 June 2002, Swiss nationals have had the same rights as EEA nationals within the United Kingdom. They can work without a work permit.

The Immigration and Nationality Directorate cannot help people find jobs or provide information about tax or National Insurance contributions. For help finding work, contact JobCentre Plus. This is part of the Department of Works and Pensions.

For information on National Insurance and tax contributions, you should contact the Inland Revenue.

Bulgaria and Romania

Parliament has now approved the regulations that will manage the flow of new workers into the UK from Romania and Bulgaria when they join the EU on 1st January 2007.

These regulations follow the Government's decision, announced on 24 October, to put in place transitional arrangements for these new member states whilst we make progress on our immigration reforms, and properly understand the wider impacts of an expanded European Union.

At the heart of the new regulations is the restriction of low-skilled workers to existing quota schemes in the agricultural and food processing sectors. Skilled workers will continue to be able to work in the UK if they qualify for a work permit or under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.

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