Brexit’s Effect On UK Architects
2020 was the year that the pandemic and Brexit landed a double punch to the face of UK businesses and creatives leaving many wondering just what 2021 would have in store for us. As the pandemic continues to make daily operations for many businesses challenging to say the least, Brexit is also beginning to show some of the effects that it will have on UK architects.
For starters, UK architecture qualifications are no longer automatically recognised in the EU which will add a new level of difficulty to architects living in the UK and working in the EU. This is in addition to the new stricter visa and residency regulations which states that UK nationals will only be able to remain in an EU country, as a ‘short stay’ visitor, for a maximum of 90 days within one 180-day period.
RIBA Calling For The Mutual Recognition Of Professional Qualifications
For many UK architects, being unable to practice in the EU following the UK's departure from the European Union, was a detrimental blow to their business. The RIBA has called for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications; however, this has not been agreed on yet which will have a significant effect on the industry both in the UK and the EU.
Before Brexit, the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive stated which European qualifications were recognised in the UK and vice versa. Unfortunately, this directive no longer applies to the UK as of 31 December 2020. Any architects from the EU who are recognised by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) in the UK will still be able to continue practising here. This also applies to all architects with UK qualifications already recognised by national registration boards in Europe.
EU Architects Considering Leaving The UK
Because of this, almost half of EU architects are considering leaving the UK to live and work in the EU where their professional qualifications are recognised. The EU will recognise architects with qualifications listed within the latest version of the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive. However, an agreement from the EU to recognise UK qualifications has not yet been agreed upon which means that registration will be up to the individual European countries where the architects wish to practice.
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