Major changes to the law will be enforced within weeks - with most of them linked to Brexit.

The UK's transition period with the EU ends on December 31, so there are new regulations on the way affecting the daily lives of everyone.

The rules cover a variety of subjects ranging from travelling abroad, healthcare and mobile phone charges to copyright, reports MirrorOnline.

Here are some of the new laws taking effect in 2021 - so you can see how the changes will affect your daily life.

1. Freedom of movement ends and a new immigration system comes in

Freedom of movement within the EU - which gives people the right to live and work abroad - will end on December 31. It will be replaced by a new points-based system, similar to foreign labour rules in Australia.

The skilled worker visa will cost between £610 and £1,408 per person.

EU citizens (except those from Ireland), or citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, will need to apply to continue living in the UK after December 31, this year.

From January, jobs offered to non-UK workers must have a skill level of 'RQF3' or above (equivalent to A level).

Workers must also be able to speak English and secure a salary from their sponsor that meets the threshold - £25,600 or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher.

Those expecting salaries of under £25,600 but no less than £20,480 can still apply to work in the UK by 'trading' points against their salary - i.e. if the role is in a 'shortage occupation' such as certain science roles, engineering jobs, some IT and business jobs, medical roles and veterinarians.

You can view the full list here.

2. Drivers to be banned from picking up mobile phones

Victims have received a phone call from a fraudster who tells them they are speaking to a police officer from Greater Manchester Police and that they need them to assist in an undercover investigation.   Victims are requested to withdraw cash from their bank accounts which is then collected by a courier later that day.
Drivers face hefty penalties for using mobile phones at the wheel.


Tighter laws surrounding the use of mobile phones in a vehicle are set to come into force.

Currently, it is only illegal to make and receive calls and texts while behind the wheel, but there in no restrictions on drivers taking photographs, playing games or even scrolling through music playlists.

This is because doing any of these are not classed as "interactive communication", which is the definition of the offence.

Changes to make this legal loophole obsolete are underway and are expected to be introduced in the spring.

3. UK travellers banned from entering EU after January 1 under Covid rules

The European Union and the Union flag sit together on bunting

British citizens may be banned from travelling to Europe when the transition period ends in January, according to reports.

Under pandemic regulations, EU countries only allow non-essential travel from non-EU citizens from nations with low coronavirus infection rates.

Officials have stated there is no immediate proposal to add the UK to that list of safe nations, which includes Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Norway, which is not an EU member state but is part of the Schengen border-free zone, has already said Britons will be banned from entering the country from January 1.

4. End to free mobile roaming for phone users in Europe

Library photo of a person using a mobile phone.

UK mobile phone users currently get free data roaming across the whole of the EU.

But after January 1, this privilege will no longer apply and phone firms will be introduce roaming charges.

EE, 02, Three and ­Vodafone have suggested they have no plans to start charging UK customers when they’re in EU countries. However, this could soon change.

5. Return of blue passports

Home Secretary Priti Patel holding a blue passport


New UK passports issued from mid-2021 will be navy blue instead of the present burgundy cover.

From next month there must also be at least six months left on a passport, which needs to be less than 10 years old, to travel to most EU countries. Travel to Ireland does not apply.

Tourists on short trips of under 90 days to the EU will not need a visa to travel but they may be needed for longer trips and for work, study and or business travel.

6.Copyright law

Changes to copyright law will come into effect on January 1 to give artists, musicians and publishers better remuneration.

The agreement aims to provide a “balanced” approach that would protect smaller artists without causing a significant impact on the biggest internet platforms such as Google and YouTube.


The bigger platforms will now be legally responsible for the user-generated material they host in the EU.

From January they will have to obtain licences from rights-holders to show their material. Content uploaded for the purpose of caricature, parody or pastiche, including memes and GIFs will be exempt.

7.European Health Insurance Card expiring

The EHIC currently covers medical treatment in EU countries in the event of illness or accident. It also works in in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein and unlike some travel insurance, it even covers pre-existing conditions.

However from the end of this year the EHIC will not be valid for most Britons during a trip to EU countries.

UK state pensioners living in the EU before the end of 2020 will still be able to use their EHIC beyond 2020. UK students who start a course in the EU before the end of 2020 will also still be able to use their EHIC until their course finishes.

The same applies to so-called 'frontier workers' defined as people who work in one state and live in another.

For more information on the post-transitional period changes for 2021, visit the government website.