The UK Government and the EU have reached an agreement on EU citizens’ rights to live and work in the UK post-Brexit, with reciprocal protections for UK nationals living in the EU.
The deal ensures that EU citizens who are lawfully living and working in the UK at the time of the UK’s departure from the EU will be able to stay, and close family members will also be able to join them. Rights to healthcare, pensions, and other benefits in the UK will also remain the same.
EU citizens who arrived in the UK before 29 March 2019 and have lived in the UK for 5 years will be able to apply for ‘settled status’ which will allow them to stay indefinitely. Those who have not yet reached 5 years’ residency in the UK will be able to apply for temporary residence status until they meet the 5-year threshold, after which they can apply for settled status.
All family members who are living with, or will join EU citizens by 29 March 2019 will also be able to apply for settled status after 5 years in the UK. Close family members will still be able to join their families in the UK after this date.
EU citizens who wish to remain in the UK post-Brexit can apply for their new status through a new streamlined application scheme, due to launch in late 2018, although they will be able to live and work in the UK until 29 March 2021 without making any applications.
Further information can be found on the GOV.UK webpage.
