The Brexit paradox: How leaving the EU led to more migration

 

The Brexit paradox: How leaving the EU led to more migration

Briefing 12-06-2025

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2025)772910

 

Migration flows have played a major role in how British citizens have viewed the European Union (EU) over the years. When net migration in the United Kingdom (UK) was minimal, few people prioritised it, and EU membership was generally seen as a positive thing. The narrative changed with the increase in migration because of EU enlargement in 2004 and 2008, which Eurosceptics seized upon to question the value of EU membership. This resulted in the shock outcome of the 2016 Brexit referendum, leading the UK to leave the EU. The free movement of people between the EU and the UK ended on 1 January 2021, with the conclusion of the transitional period outlined in the withdrawal agreement signed in January 2020. Leaving the EU in 2016 allowed the UK to implement a points-based system that treats EU citizens and non-EU citizens equally. In the following years, there was a significant increase in the number of migrants arriving in the country. The sharp rise in the number of regular migrants can be attributed to the liberalisation of migration laws, making it easier for non-EU migrants to work in the UK, a campaign aimed at attracting more foreign students, and the high number of visas granted to people from Ukraine and Hong Kong on humanitarian grounds. Additionally, there has been a notable shift in the composition of these migrants in terms of age and nationality. Prior to 2016, most migrants came from the EU, but now most come from outside the EU. The UK government has already implemented measures to reduce migration, resulting in fewer arrivals, although it is still attracting more migrants than before Brexit. However, predicting future migration flows is difficult, as much depends on external factors. Irregular migration has also significantly increased since the UK's departure from the EU. Currently, there is no agreement in place between the UK and the EU on the return of asylum applicants. While both the EU and the UK have their own migration and asylum systems, they have cooperated on various aspects of migration in an ad hoc manner. Both parties are eager to enhance cooperation on challenges posed by irregular migration, including combating people smuggling and improving information sharing to better manage migration at their external borders.