The Brexit-Aufenthalts-Überleitungsgesetz (Brexit Residence Reconciliation Bill), which will now be considered by German MPs, provides for all British citizens and family members who are legally in Germany to obtain a residence permit.

It also provides for those residence permit holders to continue to have access to the German labour market.

The bill is set to be published in coming days, but has been given a cautious welcome by organisations representing British citizens in Germany.

The German government has said the law “only comes into force in the event of a withdrawal without a withdrawal agreement”.