EU Settlement Scheme

The EU Settlement Scheme offers EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, and their eligible family members, who were in the UK before the end of the transition period, the opportunity to protect their residence in the UK beyond the transition period.

Last updated on February 14, 2025

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Introduction

Last updated June 28, 2024

The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020, with a transition period that ended on 31 December 2020. 

The EU Settlement Scheme offers EU, (non-EU) EEA and Swiss citizens and their eligible family members, who were living in the UK before the end of the transition period, the opportunity to protect their residence in the UK after the transition period ended.

Protection is gained by applying for, and obtaining, immigration permission under this scheme either as an eligible EU, EEA or Swiss citizen or eligible family member of any of these or an eligible ‘joining family member’. Someone who is granted immigration permission under the scheme will be granted either ‘settled’ status or ‘pre-settled’ status (with the opportunity to apply for settled status if requirements are met thereafter).

Deadline to apply

Last updated February 05, 2024

The deadline to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme depends on the circumstances of those applying.

The deadline for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their eligible family members (who were all in the UK before the end of the transition period) to make an initial application under the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021. An exception to this is if they had permission to be in the UK under another immigration category, other than as a Visitor, beyond that date. Find out more about other exceptions to the deadline to apply.

There are different deadlines for 'joining family members', applying to join the EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who was living in the UK before the end of the transition period. There are still many people who are or will be able to apply as a joining family member. Many eligible joining family members who are not yet in the UK will need to obtain an EU Settlement Scheme family permit before they enter the UK. They can then apply for the EU Settlement Scheme once inside the UK, if they meet the requirements.

Despite these deadlines existing, there is provision to make an application after a deadline in cases where the Home Office thinks there are reasonable grounds for missing the deadline. ‘Reasonable grounds for missing the 30 June 2021 deadline’ has a very specific meaning for the scheme which is outlined in the EU Settlement Scheme caseworker guidance.

Legal status in the UK and right to study

Last updated June 28, 2024

If you have immigration permission under the EU Settlement Scheme (either settled or pre-settled status), there are no restrictions on where or what you can study in the UK.

A Certificate of Application (CoA) is evidence that someone has made a valid application under the EU Settlement Scheme. If you have been issued with a CoA, you have permission to be in the UK until your EU Settlement Scheme application (and any related appeal or administrative review, in the case of a refusal of permission) is decided. You can study during this time too.

For information about the different formats of permissions and certificates, see the Home Office employer’s guide on right to work checks.

The Home Office produced a news story outlining changes to the EU Settlement Scheme in May 2024.

Losing settled and pre-settled status

Last updated May 21, 2024

Can you lose pre-settled or settled status?

‘Pre-settled’ or 'settled’ status under the EU Settlement Scheme will be lost after a continuous absence of more than five years from the UK and Islands. [Note: Until 20 May 2024, pre-settled status would be lost after a continuous absence of more than two years from the UK and Islands]

The exception to this is that pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme granted to Swiss citizens and their family members will be lost after a continuous absence of more than four years from the UK and Islands, instead of five years.

If you lose your status, and you no longer meet the requirements of the EU Settlement Scheme in any other way, you will have to apply under a relevant category of the Immigration Rules.  

A person who loses settled status may be able to meet requirements to obtain immigration permission as a ‘returning resident’. It is advised that you seek further advice about this.

As with all immigration routes, immigration permission can also be cancelled or curtailed in specific circumstances. For more information, see the Home Office caseworker guidance on cancellation and curtailment of permission.

Further support

Last updated February 05, 2024

The following organisations offer help and guidance on the EU Settlement Scheme:

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