Why this page exists
Until the end of 2020, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members could live in the UK under free-movement law, and many obtained documents to prove it: registration certificates, residence cards, documents certifying permanent residence, and permits for people with derivative or retained rights. Free movement has ended. Those documents no longer give the rights they once did, and a person who relies on one needs to know what to do instead.
The documents, and what replaced them
| Old document or right | What it means now |
|---|---|
| EEA registration certificate (for EU citizens) | No longer a basis for residence. The person should hold, or apply for, EU Settlement Scheme status. |
| EEA residence card (for family members) | The same. A family member needs EU Settlement Scheme status or another route. |
| Document certifying permanent residence, or permanent residence card | It is not a replacement for settled status. A holder who has not applied should apply to the scheme. |
| Derivative rights of residence, such as those of the primary carer of a British child | Many such people can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme as a person with a derivative right. Late applications are possible where there are reasonable grounds. |
| Retained rights of residence, after a divorce, a death or a departure | Some people with retained rights can apply to the scheme on that basis, with evidence. |
| Croatian nationals with work restrictions | Time and status under the transitional rules may count. They too apply to the scheme. |
What to do now
- Check your status. Log in to your online account if you have one. If you have EU Settlement Scheme status, it is recorded there. See eVisas and share codes.
- If you do not have status, apply. The deadline for most people was 30 June 2021, but the scheme accepts late applications from people with reasonable grounds. See the EU Settlement Scheme.
- Gather your evidence. Old documents, proof of residence and proof of relationship still matter as evidence of when you arrived and how you lived.
- If you are refused, you can appeal. See immigration appeals.
Why it is urgent
A person without status can find that they cannot work, rent a home or use the NHS without difficulty, and can be treated as unlawfully in the UK. Putting it right is easier before a problem arises, such as a job offer withdrawn or a tenancy refused.
How we help
We establish what status you hold or are entitled to, prepare late and complex applications, including for derivative and retained rights, and act in appeals. Book a consultation below.
