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Secure your status in the UK post-Brexit as an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen
The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) was introduced by the UK government to protect the rights of EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who were living in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period (31 December 2020). The scheme allows eligible individuals to continue living, working, studying, and accessing public services in the UK after Brexit.
The scheme grants two types of status:
The main application deadline was 30 June 2021, but late applications are still being accepted in certain circumstances. If you have Pre-Settled Status, you must apply to upgrade to Settled Status before it expires to maintain your right to live in the UK.
Our expert team can guide you through every step of the process.
To be eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme, you must meet certain requirements regarding your nationality, residence, and relationship to the UK.
Pre-Settled Status is granted to EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 but had not yet completed 5 years of continuous residence at the time of application.
Pre-Settled Status gives you permission to stay in the UK for 5 years. During this time, you can work, study, access healthcare, and use public services. You must apply to upgrade to Settled Status before your Pre-Settled Status expires to maintain your right to live in the UK.
To upgrade to Settled Status, you must have completed 5 years of continuous residence in the UK. You should apply before your Pre-Settled Status expires. The upgrade application is free.
Settled Status is granted to those who had completed 5 years of continuous residence in the UK by 31 December 2020 (or when they apply). It provides indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Settled Status gives you indefinite leave to remain in the UK. You can stay in the UK indefinitely, work in any job, study, access healthcare and public services, and apply for British citizenship after 12 months (if you meet other requirements).
To qualify for Settled Status, you must have completed 5 years of continuous residence in the UK. This means you must not have been outside the UK for more than 6 months in any 12-month period, with some exceptions.
The Home Office uses automated checks with HMRC and DWP where possible, but you may need to provide additional documents to prove your identity and residence.
Note: The Home Office uses automated checks with HMRC (tax records) and DWP (benefits records) where possible, so you may not need to provide all documents if your residence can be verified automatically. However, you should be prepared to provide additional evidence if requested.
Children can apply for the EU Settlement Scheme, and the process is similar to adult applications. However, there are some specific rules and considerations for children.
If a child is born in the UK after you've been granted Settled or Pre-Settled Status, they may automatically be eligible for the same status. Children born in the UK to parents with EUSS status should be registered.
Children born outside the UK can apply for the EU Settlement Scheme if they were living in the UK before 31 December 2020, or if they're joining a parent who has EUSS status.
Close family members who are not EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens may be able to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme if they have a qualifying relationship with an EU citizen who has (or is eligible for) EUSS status.
The relationship must have existed before 31 December 2020 (or before the end of the transition period), or in some cases, the relationship can have begun later if you were already in the UK.
If you're outside the UK, you may need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit first. This allows you to enter the UK to join your EU family member, after which you can apply for EUSS status.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the EU Settlement Scheme.
The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) was introduced to allow EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 to continue living, working, and accessing services in the UK after Brexit. It grants either Settled Status (indefinite leave to remain) or Pre-Settled Status (5 years) depending on your length of residence in the UK.
Settled Status is granted to those who had been living in the UK for 5 continuous years by 31 December 2020 (or when you apply). It gives you indefinite leave to remain - you can stay in the UK indefinitely. Pre-Settled Status is for those with less than 5 years residence - it's valid for 5 years and you can apply to upgrade to Settled Status once you've accumulated 5 years of continuous residence.
The deadline for most applications was 30 June 2021. However, late applications are still being accepted if you have "reasonable grounds" for missing the deadline. This might include being a child, having a serious medical condition, being a victim of domestic abuse, or other circumstances beyond your control. We can advise whether you may be eligible to make a late application.
You can apply to upgrade to Settled Status once you've completed 5 continuous years of residence in the UK. You should apply before your Pre-Settled Status expires. There's no fee to upgrade. You'll need to demonstrate continuous residence, meaning you haven't been outside the UK for more than 6 months in any 12-month period (with some exceptions for important reasons like study, work, or serious illness).
Yes, close family members (spouse, civil partner, durable partner, children, and dependent parents) who are not EU citizens may be able to apply to join you under the EU Settlement Scheme if you have Settled or Pre-Settled Status. They may need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit first if they're outside the UK. The rules vary depending on when your relationship began and when they apply.
If your Pre-Settled Status expires before you've accumulated 5 years of continuous residence, you may lose your right to remain in the UK. It's crucial to track your residence carefully and apply for Settled Status as soon as you're eligible. If you've lost continuous residence (e.g., by being abroad too long), you may need to explore other visa options or demonstrate that your absence was for an important reason.
Yes, children can apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. If a child is born in the UK after you've been granted Settled or Pre-Settled Status, they may automatically be eligible. Children born outside the UK may need to apply separately. The application process is the same, but children don't need to prove they were exercising treaty rights - their eligibility is based on their parent's status.
You'll need proof of your identity (passport or national ID card), proof of residence in the UK before 31 December 2020, and proof of your relationship to any family members if they're applying. The Home Office uses automated checks with HMRC and DWP where possible, but you may need to provide additional documents like bank statements, utility bills, employment records, or educational records to prove your residence.
Book a free consultation with our expert team today. We'll assess your situation and advise on the best way to secure your status in the UK.