EU Settlement Scheme

If you are an EU citizen*, you and your family members will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 31 December 2020.

The EU Settlement Scheme will allow you to continue to live, work and study in the UK as you do now. It means you will continue to be eligible for public services, such as healthcare and schools, public funds and pensions and British citizenship, if you meet the requirements and want to apply.

To apply, you need to be an EU citizen or a non-EU family member of an EU citizen, this includes those with a UK permanent residence document. You do not need to apply if you have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or you are an Irish citizen, but you can if you want to.

The online application will check three basic principles: identity, UK residence and criminality.

Family members of eligible EU citizens

Non-EU family members living in the UK by 31 December 2020 are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Close family members who are not living in the UK by 31 December 2020 will be able to join you in the UK at any point in the future, as long as the relationship still exists.

How to apply?

To get your new immigration status, you will need to fill in a short online application form using a computer, tablet or mobile phone. We will use existing Government data, where available, to make it easier for you to prove how long you have been living in the UK. This should make the process straightforward and will significantly reduce any evidence you may need to submit or send to the Home Office.

When can I apply?

The EU Settlement Scheme will fully open by 30 March 2019. In line with the draft Withdrawal Agreement, you and your family members will have until 30 June 2021 to apply and your rights will remain unchanged until then, provided that you are resident in the UK by 31 December 2020.

Where can I get support?

There will be support available if you need help to complete the online application form, including:

• contact centre support available over the phone if you have questions about individual applications

• an assisted digital service available over the phone and in person if you do not have the appropriate skills or confidence to complete the online application form

• identity verification supports available at a number of locations if you do not have access to the EU Exit: ID Document Check app.

For more information on the support available click here

* EU citizens used throughout refers to EEA and Swiss nationals, who are all eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.