Rise in UK nationality applications amid ‘Brexit’ fears

Applications for UK nationality are on the rise ahead of next year’s EU referendum, according to Guardian research.

Government figures show that the naturalisation of EU migrants has increased in recent years, rising sharply from 10,000 in 2009 to 18,000 in 2013. Now, the Guardian claims, thousands of EU nationals already living in the UK are applying for dual nationality ahead of the 2016 referendum.

The current trend stems directly from the fears of many EU migrants living in the UK and British migrants living on the continent in the face of a possible UK exit from the EU. Such a move would have more than just political and economic consequences, it would also directly effect on the lives of thousands of individuals.

Withdrawal from the EU could mean any number of things for EU migrants in the UK, including the need to apply for a visa in order to work, study and reside, or the payment of additional health care charges.

Applying for UK citizenship, however, is a lengthy and expensive process with stringent requirements restricting the number of people who are eligible to apply.

An exit from the EU could cause years of reform to the UK immigration system, which is already convoluted and complex. Other major branches of our legal system would also require attention in order to attend to issues such as the treatment of foreign pensions, foreign property ownership, cash transfers between member states, and inevitably tighter restrictions on business and study.

If you are worried about your status as an EU migrant in the UK and would like advice on applying for naturalisation, please contact Smith Stone Walters today.