EU citizens and settled status after Brexit
If you live in the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ but you're originally from a country in the European Union (EU), (EEA) or Switzerland, you may be able to apply to stay in the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ after Brexit. The same is true for family members of EEA citizens.
The deadline for applications was 30 June 2021 – but you can make a late application if you have reasonable grounds to do so.
It's free to apply to stay in the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥. You can apply:
- to the for 'settled status' or 'pre-settled status', or
- for British citizenship.
You don’t need to apply if you already have British or Irish citizenship.
I've been in the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ for 5 years or more
You should be given ‘settled status’ if you’ve lived in the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ for 5 years or more. Once you have settled status, you can stay for as long as you like. You can live outside the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ for up to 5 years in a row without losing settled status.
I've been in the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ for less than 5 years
You may be given ‘pre-settled status’ if you've lived here for less than 5 years. This allows you to stay in the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ for up to 5 years. Once you've been here for 5 years, you can then apply for ‘settled status’.
You can live outside the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ for up to 2 years without losing pre-settled status, but if you want to get settled status, you must live in the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ for at least 6 months each year before you apply.
How can I protect my rights?
After Brexit, you need pre-settled or settled status in order to:
- stay in the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ for more than 3 months
- work
- study
- use the NHS
- claim Pension Credit
- receive social care services
- get homelessness help from the council
- rent a home.
You need to have settled status to claim benefits like Pension Credit and Housing Benefit, and to get help with housing from the council.
If you have pre-settled status, you may need to meet other criteria to receive services or claim support. The rules depend on the type of help you're applying for.
How do I apply?
The deadline for applying was 30 June 2021, but you can still apply .
You'll need to show why you're applying late. This might be because:
- you don't speak much English
- you can't use the Internet
- you've lived in the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ for a long time and didn't realise you needed to apply – for example, if you have permanent residence
- you're homeless
- you're disabled or you have other support needs.
For more information on applying late,
You can apply using any device, such as a laptop or a smartphone. In some cases, you will need to apply by post instead.
If you need advice or assistance to apply, the government has funded .
If you need help to apply
You can get help with your application on the phone or online. The phone number is different if you’re from an organisation helping others to apply.
If you’re inside the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥
Telephone: 0300 123 7379
Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 8am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am to 4:30pm
If you’re outside the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥
Telephone: +44 (0)203 080 0010
Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 8am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am to 4:30pm
If you’re from an organisation helping others to apply
Telephone: 0300 790 0566
Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 8am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am to 4:30pm
Use the to get help online.
Important information
Age °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥, our advice line and your local Age °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥ can't offer advice or assistance with settled status applications. For more information, in a range of different languages, contact Settled - a charity providing information and advice to EU citizens living in the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±Ö±²¥.