Although Brexit has been delayed and there is uncertainty about the “deal”, EU citizens already have a number of rights, and can now also apply for the permanent right to remain living and working in the UK, post Brexit.

If you are an EU, EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway) or Swiss citizen you and your family will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after June 2021. You will have to apply even if you are married to a British citizen. You will not have to apply if you already have indefinite leave to remain or you’re an Irish citizen.

The deadline for applying will be 30 June 2021 if the UK leaves the EU with a deal, or 31 December 2020 if we leave with no deal.

Have you lived in the UK for 5 years or more?  Settled Status gives you the right to stay in the UK for as long as you want to.  You will be able to work in the UK, use the NHS, enrol in education, access public funds (benefits) and travel freely in and out of the UK. And you can apply for British citizenship.

How to qualify for Settled Status: you will need to have started to live in the UK by 31^st December 2020 (or 12^th April 2019 if NO DEAL) and have lived in the UK continuously for 5 years (which means 6 months out of every 12 month period).

Documentation is required to prove residency but having a National Insurance record will help, or a valid permanent residence document. You will need to prove your identity with a national identity card or passport.  It doesn’t matter whether or not you have been working while you’ve been in the UK.

Have you lived in the UK for less than 5 years?  Pre-settled Status can be applied for instead. You can stay in the UK for a further 5 years from the date you get pre-settled status. You can also apply to change this to settled status once you’ve got 5 years’ continuous residence. However, if you reach 5 years before 30^th December 2020, you could wait and just apply for settled status at that time.

How much will it cost? From 29^th March it will cost nothing.  You can apply online.

What about my children? You can apply for settled status for any child under 21 if they are a citizen of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, or if you, your spouse or civil partner are.  Your child can apply on their own behalf.  You can “link” your application for settled status with your child’s.

If you get settled status, any children born in the UK while you’re living here will automatically be British citizens.

For information see: Staying in the UK after Brexit

Or you can look at: EU Settlement Scheme

For information about existing UK residence documents for EU citizens, see:

Permanent Residence

Staying In the UK

Settled Status