NATO enlargement: Sweden and Finland
NATO has invited Sweden and Finland to join the Alliance. This paper looks at the process for joining NATO and the expansion of the Alliance since its creation in 1949, and how Russia views NATO enlargement.

This briefing provides an overview of the implications of the UK’s new relationship with the EU for people wishing to travel or move to the EU. It also highlights some useful sources of further information for constituents. It focuses on the broad requirements applicable to British citizens wishing to travel to the EU. It also refers to the UK’s comparable requirements for EU citizens.
After Brexit: Visiting, working, and living in the EU (779 KB , PDF)
British citizens’ EU citizenship and free movement rights ended when the Brexit transition period expired on 31 December 2020. Those rights had enabled them to travel to, live, work or study in an EU Member State without needing a visa. They (and their family members) had been able to claim a right to reside in the host Member State as a jobseeker, worker, student, self-employed or self-sufficient person or a family member, under the terms set by EU free movement laws.
From 1 January 2021:
As an exception to the above, Brexit has not changed the visa and immigration requirements applicable to British citizens travelling to Ireland (and vice versa). These continue to be based on the Common Travel Area arrangements.
The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) includes some commitments to facilitate travel for certain specified purposes. It provides arrangements for short-term business visitors; business visitors for establishment purposes; intra-corporate transferees; contractual service suppliers; and independent professionals.
But various reservations and exemptions apply. National immigration regulations, rules on work permits and employment regulations of the respective EU Member State must be observed. As a result, from 1 January 2021, UK business travellers are subject to the different regulatory regimes of each Member State. Likewise, EU business travellers are subject to the visa requirements specified in the UK’s immigration rules.
The TCA also provides for a continuation of necessary heath care cover for British visitors to the EU, similar to previous EHIC arrangements.
UK drivers can continue to use UK driving licenses in the EU, under separate agreements.
British citizens who had been exercising free movement rights in an EU country before the end of the transition period have certain residence-related rights protected by the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement (WA). The WA protections only apply in the person’s country of residence. The WA does not give free movement rights throughout the rest of the EU.
Each EU country sets its own procedures for confirming that a person has rights protected by the WA, within the parameters set by the WA.
After Brexit: Visiting, working, and living in the EU (779 KB , PDF)
NATO has invited Sweden and Finland to join the Alliance. This paper looks at the process for joining NATO and the expansion of the Alliance since its creation in 1949, and how Russia views NATO enlargement.
A Westminster Hall debate on Wendy Williams' Windrush Lessons Learned Review: progress update has been tabled by Kate Osamor and will take place on 29 June 2022.
A Backbench Business Committee debate on Iran's nuclear programme is scheduled for Thursday 30 June 2022 in the House of Commons chamber.