EEA EFTA Separation Agreement and UK-Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement

34 In addition to implementing the Withdrawal Agreement, the Bill also implements the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement and the Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement. The UK’s obligations under these agreements are substantively similar to those in the corresponding sections of the Withdrawal Agreement. The EU Settlement Scheme applies to EEA EFTA and Swiss nationals (and their family members) on the same basis as EU citizens through Appendix EU of the Immigration Rules (see paragraph 41, below).

35 The Bill provides that these two Agreements have an equivalent legal effect in domestic law to that of the Withdrawal Agreement. This will ensure that nationals of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland may rely on their rights in the same way as EU citizens. There are limited provisions in the Bill specific to the implementation of the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement and the Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement. Where it is required, further detail is provided in the clause by clause summary of these notes.