What you need to know as an EU citizen living in the UK
Information about Brexit, how it may impact you as an EU citizen living in the UK, and what you may need to do next.
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How does Brexit affect me?
On 23 June 2016 the outcome of a United Kingdom (UK) referendum ended with the decision of the UK to leave the European Union (EU). This process of withdrawal is commonly referred to as Brexit. The decision means that on Brexit day European freedom of movement will end for EU citizens (including citizens of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), and their family members in the UK, and for British citizens living across the EU.
The EU and the UK has negotiated the terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU, commonly referred to as the Withdrawal Agreement (the Brexit deal). According to this after the UK leaves the EU, EU law in the main part would still continue to apply in the UK until the 31 December 2020. This means that free movement would also continue until this date. In case of no agreement ('no-deal' Brexit) free movement would end after the withdrawal date (i.e. when the UK is no longer a member of the EU).
Free movement of workers is a fundamental principle of EU law. According to this EU citizens can look for a job, work without a permit, reside and stay after the end of their employment in another EU country. They also enjoy equal treatment with nationals of their host country in terms of access to employment, working conditions and all other social and tax advantages.
The end of free movement, whenever it happens, means that the residence status for EU citizens and their family members has to be protected under UK immigration law. The UK Government set up the EU Settlement Scheme which is in line with the Withdrawal Agreement and is designed for this purpose. The EU Settlement Scheme is a UK Home Office application process that nearly all EU citizens, and their family members, must complete to protect their future residence in the UK. Failure to apply under this scheme would mean that any future residence in the UK will be unauthorised and therefore unlawful. Therefore, all EU citizens who arrive before Brexit and intend to stay in the UK after 31 December 2020 must take action and apply for this new UK immigration status.
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Is the EU Settlement Scheme available in a 'deal' and 'no-deal 'Brexit?
The EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement has not yet been ratified into law. To reassure EU citizens the UK Government has confirmed that the EU Settlement Scheme – which is based on the Withdrawal Agreement – will be implemented even in case of ‘no-deal Brexit’. However, there will be some changes between the Scheme implemented under 'the Brexit deal' and in a 'no-deal' Brexit scenario. -
What will happen if the Brexit deal enters into force?
If there is a Brexit deal, the EU Settlement Scheme will be implemented in full and be in strict accordance with the terms of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. You have to apply if you and your family have been resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 and intend to stay in the UK thereafter. It’s free to apply.
The requirements of the EU Settlement Scheme are mainly residence based: the Home Office will check how long you have been in the UK and not what you have been doing here. Therefore, “Settled Status” is not dependent on your employment, whether or not you receive benefits or hold private health insurance (Comprehensive Sickness Health Insurance).
- This means that most EU citizens and their family members who have been continually resident in the UK for at least 5 years should get “Settled Status”.
- Those who have lived in the UK for less than 5 years will have to apply for temporary “Pre-Settled Status”. This will allow them to stay in the UK and apply for “Settled Status” once they achieve 5-years continuous residence.
Those applying for “Settled” or “Pre-Settled Status” must also prove their nationality and identity and subject themselves to a criminality check.
Even if you already have a UK issued EU Permanent Residence Document or EU Permanent Residence Card (commonly known as “PR” card) you must apply for “Settled Status”. Irish citizens or persons who already hold “Indefinite Leave to Remain” (ILR) are not required to apply, but can do so if they wish. Dual British/EU27 citizens do not need to apply as they are able to live in the UK after Brexit based on their British nationality.
Deadlines: Your application must be made by 30 June 2021. If an application is refused before 31 December 2020, you have the option to re-apply any number of times to remedy the issue or appeal the decision to an independent immigration judge. If your application is refused after 31 December 2020 you cannot re-apply, and can only appeal the decision. If the application is granted, ”close” family members who are not in the UK by this date will be able to join the EU citizen in the UK anytime in the future. “Close” family members are: spouse, civil partner, individuals in the ascending and descending lines, durable partners and future children born or adopted.
Further information
- Questions and Answers – the rights of EU and UK citizens, as outlined in the Withdrawal Agreement (European Commission)
- Information tool for EU citizens (Home Office)
- Settled and Pre-settled status for EU citizens and their families (Home Office)
- EU Settlement Scheme: applicant information (Home Office)
- How to provide evidence that you’ve been living here if we can’t confirm this through an automated check of UK tax and some benefits records. (Home Office)
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What will happen if there is a no-deal Brexit?
You will still have to make an application under the EU Settlement Scheme. The application process will remain largely unchanged, however, it will not be legally based on the Withdrawal Agreement, and there will be some differences compared to a deal scenario:
The Scheme will be open to you and your family members if you have lived in the UK before it left the EU (instead of 31 December 2020 in a ‘Brexit deal’). You will have to apply by 31 December 2020 (instead of 30 June 2021 as in a ‘Brexit deal’) to be able to stay in the UK after this date. The application will remain free of charge.
If your application is refused you can re-apply before 31 December 2020 or challenge the refusal through the Home Office administrative review or by way of a judicial review claim.
If your close family members would like to join you in the UK, they must arrive before 29 March 2022. New spouses and civil partners (who become related after Brexit day) must apply by 31 December 2020. If family members do not apply by these dates, they will need to seek permission from the UK under the more restrictive UK immigration laws.
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How do I apply for “Settled” or “Pre-Settled Status”?
It is free to apply. You have to complete an online application form using a computer, tablet or smartphone.
The Home Office application checks three things: (1) your identity, (2) your residence in the UK and (3) any criminal record you may have.
Identity
The application asks for your basic information (name, nationality, contact details, national insurance number) and you have to confirm your identity and nationality using your passport (for applicants of all nationalities) or national ID card (if you are an EEA / Swiss applicant). To do this you have the following options:
- If you have a valid passport or national ID card with a biometric chip, look for this sign on your national ID card:
- If you do not have a passport and have a national ID card with no biometric chip, you will have to mail this to the Home Office for verification.
- If you have a passport or a national ID card with a biometric chip, but you do not have a newer Android device, you can go to one of the locations listed by the Home Office to scan your document.
As part of the application you have to upload a digital photo of yourself.
Residence in the UK
You have to prove your residence in the UK by providing your National Insurance Number (‘NiNo’) or by other documentary evidence. If there are gaps in your 5-years residence or if you do not have a National Insurance Number, you may need to provide additional documents (such as utility bills). You can scan and upload these documents during your online application. If you are applying for “Pre-Settled Status” because you have not lived in the UK for 5 years, then your ‘NiNo’ or documentary evidence must show that you have been living in the UK at some point in the last 6 months.
Criminality
You will be asked about your criminal record. If you have only been convicted of a minor crime you will still be eligible for “Settled” or “Pre-Settled Status”. Any dishonest answer could have a negative impact on your application.
If your application is approved, you will be granted “Settled” or “Pre-Settled Status”, depending how long you have lived in the UK. You will get a confirmation email of your digital status. If you need to prove your status you will also be able to access this online.
Credit: Home Office
- If you have a valid passport or national ID card with a biometric chip, look for this sign on your national ID card:
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What if I arrive to the UK after Brexit and there is no deal?
The UK Government intends to implement a new immigration system from 1 January 2021. To bridge the time between Brexit day and 1 January 2021, the UK Government will implement a temporary immigration system for EU citizens wishing to visit or come to live in the UK. This system is for those EU citizens who do not fall under the EU Settlement Scheme as they were not living in the UK before Brexit day.
If you come to the UK after Brexit you will be able to enter as you do now, with a passport or national ID card. On arrival you will be immediately granted permission to visit, work and study without taking any further action. There is no need for you to apply to the Home Office for an immigration status unless you wish to stay in the UK after 31 December 2020.
If you intend to stay in the UK after 31 December 2020, you will need to apply before 1 January 2021 for an immigration status called "European Temporary Leave to Remain". This is a free, non-extendable status which lasts for 36 months from the date it is granted. It provides you with permission to work and study. However, you should only be asked to show that you hold this status after 1 January 2021. Until this date your passport or national ID card is sufficient to show that you have the right to work and study.
Before your “European Temporary Leave to Remain” expires, and if you wish to stay in the UK, you will need to apply for another immigration status under the new immigration system in place after 1 January 2021. If you cannot meet the requirements for another immigration status at the end of your “European Temporary Leave to Remain”, you will need to leave the UK.
Your close family members can accompany you to the UK. If they are non-EU (or third-country) close family members, they will need to apply for an EEA Family Permit before travelling. Once in the UK, your third country family members will have to apply for “European Temporary Leave to Remain”, which they can do once you have made your own application.
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Where can I find further information?
Brexit deal scenario
- Questions and Answers – the rights of EU and UK citizens, as outlined in the Withdrawal Agreement (European Commission)
- Information tool for EU citizens (Home Office)
- Settled and pre-settled status for EU citizens and their families
- EU Settlement Scheme: applicant information
- How to provide evidence that you’ve been living here if we can’t confirm this through an automated check of UK tax and some benefits records.
No-deal Brexit scenario
- No deal UK policy for EU citizens who arrive before Brexit day and intend to continue to reside in the UK after 2020.
- No deal UK policy for EU citizens who arrive after Brexit Day
- Q&A to the Contingency Action Plan (European Commission)
- Contingency Action Plan (European Commission)
Additional information
This site offers information about Brexit, how it may impact you as an EU citizen and your family living in the UK, and what you may need to do next. It summarises key issues under a ‘deal’ and in a ‘no-deal’ Brexit. It is purely for information purposes and has no legal force. It does not provide any legal interpretation of EU or UK legislation and is not meant to replace specialised legal advice on UK immigration rules.