Quiz answers: EU work and business travel
The answers are on a ‘traffic light’ system:
Green: You’re very well organised
Amber: Decent overall awareness
Red: Time to get some advice and support
1. Do you know how many of your workers travel to the EU and which countries?
Answer 1:Yes my company or a travel agent logs all business travel.
Green: You are well organised in terms of travel in your company. This will make complying with the new rules much easier.
Answer 2: I have a good idea of where my workers travel to in the EU, but we don't keep records of this.
Amber: Sounds like you have a good idea of where your workers travel to. We recommend you start logging your Company travel, as different EU countries may have different rules for business travel.
Answer 3: Workers arrange their own travel and the company does not know how many workers travel or precisely where they go.
Red: Time to rethink how your company organises business travel. There are new rules and each EU country is different. Contact our international mobility team for more support.0808 168 5874
2. Do you know why your workers travel to the EU?
Answer 1: I am not sure of the reasons for all business travel, but presume my workers travel for business meetings and/or client reasons.
Red: You need to start making changes now. Different types of business activities may require work permits and/or visas and each EU country differs. Contact our International mobility team for support now.
Answer 2: Yes, all travel is authorised and tracked according to the type of visit. We have strong knowledge of why our workers need to travel to the EU.
Green: Excellent work. Knowing what business activity your workers are performing will make it easier for your company to determine whether they need work permits or visas.
Answer 3: Sometimes. We don't always keep track or know why our workers travel.
Amber: You've made a good start, but improvement is needed. Your company will need to log all business travel for each worker and EU country. Different rules apply to different business activities. Contact our international mobility team for support now.
3. Since the UK left the EU, UK nationals are required to obtain a work permit or visa if they are working or providing services in the EU. Are you confident that you know whether any of your workers will require these when they travel?
Answer 1: Yes, I am aware of the changes since we left the EU and I know which of my workers require work permits and visas.
Green: Fantastic news. You know which work permits and visas are required for your workers and different EU countries. Make sure you apply in advance, as sometimes the applications can take up to 2 months.
Answer 2: I am not aware of any changes. I do not know whether my workers need work permits or visas. .
Red: Sounds like you will need some help. If your workers are providing a service or working in the EU, it's likely they will need some work permissions. Contact our international mobility team now for support.
Answer 3: I am aware of the possible need for work permits and visas however, I am not sure which of my workers will need one or how to obtain one.
Amber: Great start. You are aware that your workers will need to gain permission to work in EU countries, but you need some help on how to do this. Contact our international mobility team now for support.
4. Social security rules between the UK and the EU exempt UK nationals from paying local social security when they travel for business. Do you know how to comply with this exemption?
Answer 1: I am aware that UK nationals do not normally pay social security when travelling for business, but I do not know how to prove this exemption.
Amber: You're correct! UK nationals don't normally pay social security twice, but there is a reason for that. Contact our international mobility team now to help you comply with social security rules for business travel.
Answer 2: I am not aware of any social security rules and do not know how to prove my workers' exemption from paying local social security when in the EU.
Red: Time to get some help. If your workers can't prove that they already pay social security in the UK, they may be liable to pay it again when they travel for work. Contact our international mobility team now for support.
Answer 3: I am aware of the rules and I know how to prove my workers' social security exemption by using the correct form from HMRC.
Green: Well done. Make sure you are completing the correct social security form, as there are different types for different employment situations. If you want to double check, contact our international mobility team now.
5. Are you aware that when your workers travel for work in the EU, sometimes they will need to notify the local authorities in advance and confirm they are complying with local labour market rules?
Answer 1: I am not aware of any notification systems or local labour market rules and do not know where these are or how to comply.
Red: This is not an easy area and you may require some support. If your workers are travelling to the EU for work, they will likely need to notify in advance and comply with local employment conditions. Contact our international mobility team now for support.
Answer 2: I am aware of some EU notification systems, but not all and I do not know how to comply with local labour market rules.
Amber: You're aware of the notification systems which is a great start. Unfortunately, it is important that you comply with the local labour market rules to avoid fines. Contact our international mobility team now for support.
Answer 3: I am aware of the notification systems in the EU and their local labour market rules.
Green: You have fantastic awareness of intra-EU systems. If you require help with each EU country's different system and complying with the different rules, please contact our international mobility team for support.
6. Do you know that all days/time spent in any EU country, both for business and personal reasons, counts towards the maximum allowed in a 180 day period?
Answer 1: Yes, but we do not ask workers to share this information.
Amber: It is great that you are aware that travel for any reason must be counted. However if you are not monitoring this information it is possible that a worker may not be able to travel visa free for either work or leisure if they have exceeded their limits. This could impact your business in the EU or your workers holiday. Contact our international mobility team now for support.
Answer 2: Yes, and we ask workers who travel to the EU to share details of personal travel to the EU.
Green: Great news, you are well aware of the new requirements. If you would like any further advice, don't hesitate to contact our international mobility team now for further support.
Answer 3: No, I was not aware.
Red: This is new for travel to the EU, but personal travel can impact business travel and vice-versa. A worker may not be able to travel visa free for either work or leisure if they have exceeded their limits. This could impact your business in the EU or your workers holiday. Contact our international mobility team now for support
7. Did you know that while your worker may be able to travel to the EU for a short term business visit without a visa in limited circumstances, these rules can be different for each EU country?
Answer 1: I am aware of there being different rules and what limitations apply for business visitor activities in each EU country.
Green: Great, you are aware that the rules are different for each EU country. If you would like support on which rules apply in each EU country, please contact our international mobility team for support - 0808 168 5874
Answer 2: I am aware that some business visits could take place without a visa, but I thought that there is one set of rules for travelling to the EU.
Amber: It is not straight forward, while there are some circumstances where workers will not require a visa for short term business visits, the rules are different in each EU country and it is up to each country to determine what activities are permitted. For further information, please contact our international mobility team - 0808 168 5874
Answer 3: I understood that it was possible to travel visa free for any business purposes and there is a common set of rules.
Red: Unfortunately it is not straight forward. While the UK's agreement with the EU allows for travel, it does not permit a person to work in the EU. It is up to each EU country to decide how they define work and what activity qualifies and what does not. There rules are different for each EU country. If your workers are travelling to the EU for work, it is essential that you know that the activity they are doing is permitted. Contact our international mobility team now for support - 0808 168 5874
For further advice and support, please contact us on 0808 168 5874 or [email protected]