Can I work remotely from Europe?

[SwissSaffa]

I would definitely tell the client (is this the same as the agent?) that I am not living in the UK and that I can come to the UK whenever needed for meetings but that I am living in Europe. So I would not hide it from the client.

For me the questions is more about whether it's legal for the company and it sounds like from the answers that it's legal. I am sure there are thousands of UK business owners who don't live in the UK.

[jamesbrown]

I would definitely tell the client (is this the same as the agent?)

I'm not sure why that is a question, as they clearly aren't the same. You will need to inform the supply chain and your working status will need to be consistent with both the upper and lower contracts if there's an agency in the chain. If there's an agent, YourCo is not contracted by the client. The problem is generally with agents (and umbrellas) in terms of your UK residency. There's a separate set of problems in your country of residence, of course.

[agentzero]

I would definitely tell the client (is this the same as the agent?) that I am not living in the UK and that I can come to the UK whenever needed for meetings but that I am living in Europe. So I would not hide it from the client.

For me the questions is more about whether it's legal for the company and it sounds like from the answers that it's legal. I am sure there are thousands of UK business owners who don't live in the UK.

The UK is in Europe, so you are living in Europe if you're in the UK.

[northernladuk]

I would definitely tell the client (is this the same as the agent?) that I am not living in the UK and that I can come to the UK whenever needed for meetings but that I am living in Europe. So I would not hide it from the client.

I'm more worried you don't know the difference between client and agent that all your location issues. That's inexcusable. How can do not know what you do?

For me the questions is more about whether it's legal for the company and it sounds like from the answers that it's legal. I am sure there are thousands of UK business owners who don't live in the UK.

The thing you are missing and has been touched on already is what is 'legal' and allowed in your contract are two different things. Of course it's legal to live in one country and do business in another or whatever. It's a global economy. The problem is how difficult is the tax arrangement and what are the requirements of the client. Many companies won't entertain contractors or even employees abroad either for data, tax or it's just pain in the arse. If the client will even entertain the idea when you apply then of course it's legal. Then you have to get past them to interview and then hopefully not have them put off when you explain your living situation. It narrows down your opportunities massively. You bring zero benefit and host of downsides vs a local bod so unless you are niche or have the ear of the client personally it's going to be tough.
If the client is OK with it so far then fill your boots. Just do a bit of research on what you are and who you work for. I can't understand how you are going to sort your complex tax affairs out if you don't even know who you work for and who is paying you.

[billybiro]

I would definitely tell the client (is this the same as the agent?) that I am not living in the UK and that I can come to the UK whenever needed for meetings but that I am living in Europe. So I would not hide it from the client.

Also, be sure to tell the client what colour socks you usually wear and what you have for breakfast every morning. You never know the minute you might fall afoul of the client's spurious preferences.

More seriously, the client does not need to know any of that. If the contracts are legit (Client Ltd. contracted with UK-based Contractor Ltd) and you're able to meet the demands of the contract - which may involve meetings in the UK at the client's site - then the place where you lay your head down each night is, quite frankly, none of the client's concern.

[WTFH]

More seriously, the client does not need to know any of that. If the contracts are legit (Client Ltd. contracted with UK-based Contractor Ltd) and you're able to meet the demands of the contract - which may involve meetings in the UK at the client's site - then the place where you lay your head down each night is, quite frankly, none of the client's concern.

It's clear you've never worked in any industry where security, GDPR or PID is important. In the medical industry there are laws which govern data, where it can be stored and how it can be accessed. Not disclosing where you are connecting from is something that would not be treated well.
It's also relevant in B2C businesses, but the penalties are less severe.

[billybiro]

It's clear you've never worked in any industry where security, GDPR or PID is important. In the medical industry there are laws which govern data, where it can be stored and how it can be accessed. Not disclosing where you are connecting from is something that would not be treated well.
It's also relevant in B2C businesses, but the penalties are less severe.

You're aware that I could be based in (say) Spain, connect to a Virtual Machine located in the UK and from there, access data that is also located in the UK and which might have to remain resident in the UK?

All else being equal (i.e. assuming I actually have legitimate access to the data, am using it for legitimate business reasons and don't transfer it off the UK-based VM etc.) then no laws/regulations around data-residency or access have been broken.

[hobnob]

You're aware that I could be based in (say) Spain, connect to a Virtual Machine located in the UK and from there, access data that is also located in the UK and which might have to remain resident in the UK?

All else being equal (i.e. assuming I actually have legitimate access to the data, am using it for legitimate business reasons and don't transfer it off the UK-based VM etc.) then no laws/regulations around data-residency or access have been broken.

In that hypothetical scenario, how are you connecting to the UK-based VM? E.g. are you using another VPN? Is your remote access restricted to Spain, or could someone potentially connect to the VM from China? Do you use MFA when you connect to the VM?

In other words, does your setup meet the client's security requirements, or are you potentially exposing them to attack? It's entirely possible that you're doing it all in a secure way, without increasing the risks. However, it's also plausible that the client's security team will want to be aware of this so that they can review how you're doing it. If you don't tell them, and they get attacked because of you, I foresee unpleasant conversations with lawyers...

[jamesbrown]

The people who say "stuff it I'm not telling the client" are basically too scared, because they know the client wouldn't accept it and it's probably a breach of contractual terms too. They aren't professionals, IMHO.

[WTFH]

I foresee unpleasant conversations with lawyers...

There’s reasons why some of us have $15m insurance, and Billy has £15.
To misquote Red Adair, if you think professionals are expensive, try paying billybiro.