Bermudians who live in the European Union were today told to make sure that they were “legally registered” for residency before the end of the year.

A Government spokeswoman said: “With less than a month before the end of the Brexit transition period, Bermudians living in the European Union on a British passport are advised to follow the UK Government’s guidance on ensuring their continued legal status.”

The Brexit transition period will finish on December 31.

The spokeswoman added: “In June 2016 the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union.

“The United Kingdom’s EU membership formally ended on 31 January 2020, kicking off a transition period that will last until 31 December 2020.

“Negotiations on the future relationship between the United Kingdom and European Union are ongoing and it is possible that British nationals arriving in the European Union after the 31 December 2020 cut-off date will be subject to new immigration rules.

“The January 2020 withdrawal agreement – which governs the terms of the United Kingdom’s departure – safeguards the rights of British nationals who are already legally resident in the European Union before the end of the transition period to continue to live, work and study in their EU member state of residence.

“UK nationals who are already resident in the European Union by 31 December 2020 are also eligible to receive a new residence permit attesting to their rights under the withdrawal agreement.”

The spokeswoman said: “Bermudians currently living in the European Union on a UK passport should therefore take care to confirm that they are legally registered before the end of the transition period.

“It is also advisable to sign up for e-mail alerts from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which offers guidance on the procedures in each EU member state.”

She added: “After the end of the transition period, Bermudian and British tourists will continue to enjoy visa free access to the Schengen Area – which includes most EU countries, in addition to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – for short trips of no more than 90 days within a 180-day period.”

The spokeswoman said that Bermudians living in the EU on a British passport should make sure that the passport is valid and register as a resident, as well as for healthcare, in their country of residence.

She added that they can ask for guidance for UK nationals from the relevant EU member state authority.