EU nationals’ rights – what will happen after the UK leaves?

What is the Government proposing? Under the plan set out in parliament, EU nationals resident in the UK will be able to apply for “settled status” – effectively guaranteeing them indefinite leave to remain in the country once Britain is out of the bloc. Who will be eligible to apply? Any EU citizen who has been living in the UK continuously for five years. Those who have been resident for less than five years will be also be allowed to stay and then apply for settled status once they have clocked up the necessary five years. Dependent family members – children or parents – who join an EU national in the UK prior to Brexit will also be able to apply once they have been in the country for five years. After Brexit, EU citizens with settled status will be able to bring family members from overseas on the same terms as British nationals. Is there a cut-off date to qualify? Yes – although ministers have yet to decide when it will be. The Government paper says that the earliest it will be is March 29 2017 – the date Theresa May triggered Article 50, marking the start of the formal Brexit process – and the latest will be the date it actually leaves. What will be the benefits? The paper says the UK intends to maintain existing rights to benefits, healthcare, education and other economic rights “in the expectation that these rights will be reciprocated by EU member states” for British nationals living in the EU.