Impact of Brexit on the Automotive Sector: Barriers and Opportunities for EU Professionals in the UK
30.07.2025
5 mins to read
The United Kingdom’s separation from the European Union in 2020 changed more than political boundaries. For many professionals across Europe, it was the start of issues connected to accessibility, mobility, and possible limitations to opportunities. The freedom of movement that once allowed EU citizens to live and work in the UK without restriction has been replaced by a more complex and selective system.
Currently, we are four years into the new post-Brexit reality. Now, it is even clearer that the rules of the game have changed. But does that mean EU professionals no longer have a future in the UK? Absolutely not. And we will prove it in today’s article.
Impact of Brexit: Migration has not stopped, it has just changed direction
Since Brexit, the UK has changed its immigration model. The introduction of a points-based immigration system in 2021 placed EU citizens on equal footing with migrants from the rest of the world. This meant the reintroduction of visas, salary requirements, English language tests, and employer sponsorships. All these factors deterred many Europeans from applying.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK saw:
- -86,000 net EU migration (more EU nationals left than arrived)
- +768,000 net non-EU migration in the same year ending June 2023
- Around 169,000 work-related visa main applicants overall
This represents a major shift from pre-Brexit figures. Before 2021, EU citizens made up a significant share of the UK’s labour force, especially in sectors like hospitality, construction, and healthcare.
| Category | Net Migration (Year Ending June 2023) |
| EU nationals | -86,000 |
| Non-EU nationals | +768,000 |
| Work-related visas (main) | ~169,000 |
What are the post-brexit barriers for the UK Automotive Sector?
Before Brexit, moving to the UK for many EU professionals within the automotive industry used to be a spontaneous decision. Nowadays, working in the UK is a calculated move. While the automotive sector is actively recruiting, the new visa requirements are more demanding and carry additional costs.
Key barriers include:
- The need for a Skilled Worker visa, which is only granted if the applicant has a confirmed job offer from a UK-based employer licensed to sponsor foreign workers. Many small and mid-sized garages or dealerships opt out due to cost, complexity, and inspection risk. As a result, they choose to hire UK nationals instead. This limits access unless the professional targets larger employers;
- Minimum salary thresholds (typically £26,200 or £10.75/hour), which is one of the strictest requirements, effectively excluding a large number of jobs from eligibility. Effective April 2025, the main salary floor for Skilled Worker visas rose from £26,200 to £38,700, while the lower level (for designated occupations) rose from £20,960 to £30,960. Many entry-level automotive roles are technicians, apprentices, or MOT testers, whose typical pay often falls below those levels, barring access to the visa route;
- English language test (even roles that are hands-on, like vehicle technicians or MOT testers, must meet this requirement), which adds time and cost to the application process (may total over £3,000 before an automotive specialist even arrives in the UK);
- A longer and more expensive application process than before (the process can take weeks or months and more than £5,100).
Due to the above, the Institute of Labor Economics has reported reductions in work visa grants for lower- and mid‑skill occupations (like many in the automotive trades) since 2021.
Would you like to read more about migration and applying for a visa? Click here.
What could the future bring for the UK and EU automotive sector?
Migration policy is a politically sensitive topic in the UK. With upcoming elections, the pressure to curb overall immigration is mounting. While broader sectors like hospitality, retail, and social care are often cited, the automotive industry is equally at stake. Apart from the already-mentioned higher salary thresholds, 2026 could bring:
- Further skill shortages despite falling migration- latest quarterly averages in the vacancy rate show about 108,000 vacancies in motor vehicle repair and maintenance (almost double pre-pandemic numbers). Adding the impact of the visa eligibility criteria, the automotive repair sector will continue to struggle with a significant number of unfilled roles.
- The EV skill gap will continue to grow- the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) warns the UK could be short by up to 160,000 automotive workers by 2031, largely due to retiring staff and the rising demand for electric vehicle expertise.
Should EU specialists from the automotive industry still consider careers in the UK?
Brexit did not shut down the UK’s need for skilled automotive international talent. It only reshaped how that talent enters the country. There are still pathways to work in the UK for EU automotive professionals, with EV-relevant skills, ADAS or diagnostics experience, or experience in high-tier automotive engineering. The path is no longer as open as it once was. However, specialists with roles matching Immigration Salary List standards and sponsored by bigger dealerships or OEM-affiliated firms have a high probability of leading a successful automotive career in the United Kingdom. Providing they are only willing to take a few more steps along the way.
Sources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-points-based-immigration-system-eu-citizen-information
https://www.gov.uk/uk-visa-sponsorship-employers
https://axis.lawyer/skilled-worker-visa-fees
https://www.gov.uk/uk-visa-sponsorship-employers
https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job
https://uk.indeed.com/career/automotive-technician/salaries
https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english
https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-processing-times-applications-outside-the-uk
