European Union (EU) Nationals
The UK left the EU on 31st December 2020 and there continues to be some confusion about the rights of EU nationals currently in the UK.
The Home Office have announced there are no changes to the rights of EU members and their families (including non EU family members) to exercise their Treaty Rights in the UK as long as they arrived in the UK before the leaving date.
However, ALL EU nationals living in the UK MUST register under the EUSS (EU Settlement Scheme) by 30th June 2021 to establish their right to continue living in the UK.
This INCLUDES those who were previously granted permanent residence or any other residence permission. Failure to do so may result in losing any treaty rights previously held and it is therefore vitally important to apply under the EUSS.
Those nationals who can prove they have exercised treaty rights in the UK for over 5 years will be granted settled status and those for less than 5 years will be granted pre-settled status. Settled status may then be applied for once 5 years have elapsed. You can apply for British citizenship a year after being granted settled status.
EU Nationals who wish to come live in the UK from 2021 onwards must now apply under the relevant British immigration rules as EU rules are no longer applicable.