New announcement means more certainly for EU citizens and their families

22 December 2017

EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU have more certainty about their future following a proposed agreement on citizens' rights between the UK and the EU Commission.

The new proposal helps the millions of EU citizens who have made their lives in this country, as well as UK citizens living in the EU, plan for the future as valued members of UK society.

It means that EU citizens living lawfully in the UK and UK nationals living lawfully in the EU by 29 March 2019 will be able to stay and enjoy broadly the same rights and benefits as they do now.

The proposal includes that:

• Close family members will be able to join after the UK has left the EU. This includes spouses, unmarried partners, children, grandchildren, dependent parents and grandparents. Children born or adopted outside of the UK after the 29 March 2019 will also be covered. 
• People will be able to be absent from the UK for up to five years without losing settled status, more than double the level of absence allowed under current EU law. There will be the same reciprocal protection for UK nationals living in the EU.
• Professional qualifications (e.g. doctors and architects) will continue to be recognised where these are obtained before the date of the UK's departure from the EU. 
• It will be easy to apply for settled status and there will be a full right of appeal.
• Those EU citizens who already hold a valid Permanent Residence document will be able to have their status converted to settled status free of charge.

This new proposal also provides certainty on healthcare, pensions and other benefits. It will mean that EU citizens who have paid into the UK system can benefit from what they've already put in and continue to benefit from existing coordination rules for future contributions. Those covered by the proposal will be able to continue to receive healthcare as they do now.

There will be a transparent, smooth and streamlined process to enable EU citizens to apply for settled status starting in the latter half of next year for two years after the UK leaves the EU - from 2018 to 2021.

Please contact HHD Solicitors today should you require advice and assistance regarding Brexit and what you can do today.