Settled and Pre-Settled Status
EU, EEA Citizens
To be eligible for settled status, you must:
Settled and Pre-Settled Status
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Be an EU Citizen or a Family Member of an EU Citizen
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Have Been Living in the UK Continuously for 5 Years (Continuous Residence)
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Have Started Living in the UK by 31 December 2020
If you’ve lived in the UK for less than 5 years, you’re more likely to be eligible for ‘pre-settled status’ instead. There will be no change to the rights and status of EU citizens living in the UK until the year 2021. You and your family can apply for ‘settled status’ to continue living in the UK after June 2021. The scheme will be fully open by March 2019. Even if you’re an EU citizen married to a British citizen, you will still need to apply.
Continuous Residence
Continuous residence means that you’ve been in the UK for at least 6 months in each of the last 5 years, except for exceptional circumstances:
Continuous Residence
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One Period of up to 12 Months (for Example, Childbirth, Serious Illness, Study, Vocational Training)
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Compulsory Military Service of Any Length of Time
If you will not have 5 years’ continuous residence when you apply, you’ll generally get ‘pre-settled status’ to begin with. This means you can stay in the UK for a further 5 years from the date you get pre-settled status. Once you have 5 years’ continuous residency, you can apply for settled status. Please note, there are exceptions, you may be able to get settled status in less than 5 years in certain situations.
From Outside the EU?
You must be in a relationship with an EU citizen as their:
From Outside the EU?
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Spouse or Civil Partner, or Unmarried Partner with a Residence Card to Prove Your Relationship
You can also be related to an EU citizen, their spouse, or civil partner as their:
You can also be related to an EU citizen, their spouse, or civil partner as their:
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Child, Grandchild, or Great-Grandchild under 21 Years of Age
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Dependent Child over the Age of 21
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Dependent Parent, Grandparent, or Great-Grandparent
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Dependent Relative with a Residence Card to Prove Your Relationship
Valid Permanent Residence Documents
If you have a valid permanent residence document, your permanent residence document will not be valid after 31 December 2020. You can change your permanent residence document for settled status by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Do You Have Indefinite Leave to Remain?
If you have indefinite leave to remain in or enter the UK, you can continue to live in the UK without applying for settled status, or you can choose to change your indefinite leave to remain to settled status. This means you’ll be able to live outside the UK for 5 years (instead of 2 years with indefinite leave to remain) subject to change.
Are You Living Overseas and You’re a Family Member of an EU Citizen Living in the UK?
If you’re not living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you can still apply to join your family member here after that date if both:
Are You Living Overseas and You’re a Family Member of an EU Citizen Living in the UK?
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Your Family Member Is Eligible to Apply
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Your Relationship Began Before 31 December 2020 and Will Continue When You Come to the UK
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You’re a Close Family Member, such as Spouse, Civil Partner, Unmarried Partner, a Dependent Child or Grandchild, or a Dependent Parent or Grandparent