A new report says that UK-EU couples are struggling with 'complex and restrictive' visa issues after Brexit.

The joint study from academics at the University of Bristol and Exeter University is available here.

The research, The Brexit Couples Project, showed that prohibitive visa costs, complex and confusing paperwork, increased bureaucracy and minimum earning stipulations meant many UK-EU couples faced either 'separation or exile'.

Negative impacts of post-Brexit rules included constrained choices around employment and further education, negative impacts on financial wellbeing, couples forced to delay or abandon life aspirations, inhibited political engagement, and an undermined sense of belonging in the UK.

Sir Nick Harvey, CEO of European Movement UK, said:

"This research paints a stark and depressing picture of an issue that has made life extremely difficult for so many couples for years.

"Leaving the European Union also meant separation for many UK-EU couples, as new red-tape kicked in and made the process of simply living with your partner not only far more complex than it had previously been, but also incredibly expensive.

"With UK citizens suddenly subject to the 90-in-180-day rule, couples were forced to spend months apart every year until they could afford to navigate the winding and difficult path to obtain a visa.

"It's time to look very carefully at the entire system, including the minimum income requirement, and simplify what has become a prohibitively difficult process."