Romanian or Bulgarian nationals are able to move and live freely in any Member State of the European Union (EU).
Applicants do not need permission under our immigration rules to reside legally in the UK. They will have a right of residence in any EU Member State for the first 3 months of residence on an unrestricted basis and can remain legally resident in that state as long as they wish, providing they are exercising a Treaty right as a student, a self-employed person, or if they are self-sufficient (and not economically active).
Types of European documentation that may be issued to you if you wish to remain in the UK for more than three months
If you want to work in the UK, you may qualify for a registration certificate or Accession worker card. Your family members may also qualify for a registration certificate or an Accession worker card or, if they are non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals, a residence card.
Blue registration certificates
These certificates indicate that the holder can work in the UK without restrictions. Blue registration certificates are issued to Romanian and Bulgarian nationals who are highly skilled, or are exempt from the requirement to obtain an Accession worker card.
Yellow registration certificates
These certificates are issued to Romanian and Bulgarians exercising Treaty rights as self-employed persons, self-sufficient persons or students. The certificate will state whether the holder is self-employed, self-sufficient or a student and explain if the holder can legally work in the UK.
Purple work cards (also known as Accession worker cards)
These are issued to those Romanian and Bulgarian nationals who wish to work in the UK but are subject to work authorisation. They are issued to workers and to their authorised family members.
Residence cards
These can only be issued to your family members if they are non-EEA nationals and they are not subject to work authorisation. They confirm the holder’s right of residence under European law.
Family member residence stamp
These can also only be issued to family members if they are non-EEA nationals and they are subject to work authorisation.
Work authorisation
Unless exempt from work authorisation, nationals of Bulgaria and Romania are required to obtain authorisation of their employment if they wish to work in the UK.
If they take employment without obtaining such authorisation the employer, may be committing a criminal offence
Working without permission
Since 1 January 2007, it has been an offence for an employer to employ a Bulgarian or Romanian national who is subject to the requirement to hold an Accession worker card but does not have one, or who is undertaking work other than that specified in the card. Employers will face a maximum fine upon conviction of £5000 per worker.
The worker, will also commit an offence in these circumstances and if prosecuted and convicted of this offence could face imprisonment for up to 3 months. Individuals who commit this offence may be offered the opportunity to discharge their liability to prosecution through the payment of a fixed penalty of £1000.