The European Commission announced on Monday that it is taking legal action against the United Kingdom for potential obstructions to the free movement of EU citizens at the end of 2020, after Brexit.
The Commission has referred the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for "non-compliance with EU law on the free movement of EU citizens and their family members at the end of 2020."
This announcement comes as London and Brussels are showing signs of rapprochement since Prime Minister Keir Starmer took office in July.
The Labour leader wants to "reset" relations between the EU and the UK after a period of soured relations following the Brexit referendum.
Headquarters of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union (EU), Tuesday 18 April 2023. Credit: Belga / James Arthur Gekiere
The United Kingdom officially left the European Union on 31 January 2020.
However, under the withdrawal agreement, EU citizens and their family members who resided in the UK before the end of 2020, were meant to retain the same rights they had before Brexit.
Before resorting to legal action, the Commission had engaged in multiple exchanges with British authorities since 2020.
The European Union asserts that "several of its grievances remain unaddressed, particularly concerning the rights of workers and extended family members."
