Brexit assurances for
EEA nationals still
undecided

18 October 2017

Following the latest round of Brexit negotiations, the European Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier  indicated that insufficient progress had been made to open discussions on the future relationship between the UK and EU.

Although his counterpart, the UK Brexit Secretary David Davis, declared one particularly productive area of the talks was the ‘settled status’ of EU citizens in the UK, the current stand-off makes for uncomfortable reading to many of the EEA nationals already living and working in the UK.

In light of the  lack of clarity and assurance offered at this time, there are steps EEA nationals can take to protect themselves and their families against the possibility of a hard-line Brexit.

Apply for a registration certificate
If you have been in the UK for a period of less than five years, you can apply for a registration certificate. This would certify that you are in the UK in accordance with your treaty rights and would be valid for five years from its date of issue. Following an official withdrawal from the EU, it may even allow you to remain in the UK for the valid duration of your certificate.

Apply for Permanent Residence
If you have been continuously resident in the UK for five or more years, you are likely to have acquired the right to permanently reside in the UK. You can apply for confirmation of this by filing a Permanent Residence application. If granted, Permanent Residence confirms that you have the legal right to live permanently in the UK.

Apply for British citizenship
If you already possess confirmation of your right to Permanent Residence, you could be eligible to apply for British Citizenship. This would grant you all the rights of a UK citizen, allow you to apply for a British passport, and would be a bullet proof option against a hard-line Brexit.

Whilst Brexit negotiations remain ongoing, EU citizens living in the UK may be best served by considering the options available to them under existing law.  When doing so, make sure you seek professional advice and consider all relevant options before making an application!

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