A definition of a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom national) for European Community (EC) purposes was contained in a declaration made by the United Kingdom at the time of the United Kingdom's signature of the Treaty of Accession to the EC. This was replaced, with effect from 1 January 1983, by the current definition, which reads as follows: "As to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the term "UK nationals" is to be understood to refer to:
- British Citizens with the exception of the Channel Islands and Isle of Man*
- Persons who are British subjects by virtue of Part IV of the British Nationality Act 1981 and who have the right of abode in the United Kingdom and are therefore exempt from United Kingdom immigration control
- British OverseasTerritories Citizen with a connection to Gibraltar
* The Channel Islands and Isle of Man were only regarded as being a part of the European Union for trade in goods, otherwise were not a part of the EU. The holders of a Jersey passport (GBR-AO-2008) may have an endorsement on Page 32: “THE HOLDER IS NOT ENTITLED TO BENEFIT FROM EU PROVISIONS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OR ESTABLISHMENT”. If page 32 is endorsed “THE HOLDER IS NOT ENTITLED TO BENEFIT FROM EU PROVISIONS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OR ESTABLISHMENT”, the holder is not protected by the withdrawal agreement. If this endorsement is not present on Page 32, the holder is protected by the withdrawal Agreement. The same applies to Isle of Man (GBR-AO-02007) and the Bailiwick of Guernsey (GBR-AO-02005).
