With the UK’s departure from the EU being weeks away and no exit deal being agreed, what will this mean for foreign nurses, midwives and nursing associates working in the UK?

Now until Brexit day

According to advice recently issued by the NMC, all foreign nurses, midwives and nursing associates that are already on their register, or if you applied to join our register before EU-Exit day, then your registration or your application will not be affected when the UK leaves the EU.

Brexit deal

If the UK and the EU agree an exit deal, the UK would enter into a transition period until December 2020.  During this period there would be no change to the way that we register nurses, midwives and nursing associates from the EEA and Switzerland.

Brexit no deal

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal:

• EU, EEA and Swiss qualified nurses, midwives and nursing associates will continue to be able to apply for registration with the NMC.
• All nurses responsible for general care (adult nurses) and midwives who have a qualification that meets the EU minimum training requirements, on EU-Exit day, will benefit from new legal powers meaning we can recognise their qualification as meeting our standards for a period of two years.
• All other EU applicants will be required to apply for registration through our overseas registration routes.