We want to ensure that our community of around 32,000 residents from the EU know that they are welcome to stay, live and work within the borough. 

The EU settlement scheme 

At present, as a non-UK EU citizen, you can live, work and access services, healthcare and benefits. As we approach Brexit, you will have to apply for new residence status, under the EU Settlement Scheme, which confirms that you live in the UK and have the right to do so. The scheme will allow you to apply to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. 

What it means:

• If you are an EU citizen who has been a resident in the UK for five years or more, you will be eligible for settled status. 
• If you have been a resident for less than five years, you will be eligible for pre-settled status. You will be able to convert this to settled status after five years of residency.
• If you do not apply for settled status by 30 June 2021, you will technically have no legal basis to remain in the UK. The Home Office have not been clear on what the impact of this will be, but you could lose rights to access welfare benefits, support services and wider public funds.
• The deadline for applying is 30 June 2021.
• There is no cost to applicants and fees will be refunded to those who have already applied.
• UK permanent residents have the right to live permanently in the UK. Permanent residence refers to residence status and does not affect citizenship.

Check if you need to apply (gov.uk)

Apply now (gov.uk)

To complete the application you need to use the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app (available on Google Play or the Apple App Store) to scan your document and send your photo - you need to use an Android phone, an iPhone 7 (or above) with near field communication (NFC), or a tablet device to do this.

Businesses

It is still not clear how leaving the EU will affect EU nationals who own a business in the UK.

The Government has produced an employer’s toolkit with guidance to support EU citizens.

You can also get advice on what Brexit might mean to your business from:

• Confederation of British Industry
• Federation of Small Businesses
• London Chamber of Commerce
• Institute of Directors

Information for Schools

The Department for Education has issued guidance for schools to prepare for Brexit.

More advice

There are many other sources of information, advice and guidance, including:

• Government website
• European Commission
• UK Citizenship for European Nationals
• Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association
• Greenwich Citizens Advice