EU Settlement Scheme

There are only days left to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) on June 30th, 2021. As this scheme is available to all EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK we urge applicants to complete their submissions quickly. And EDCAB is here to help you with the forms and guide you through the application.

Who is eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme?

So, those who were residents in the UK by 31 December 2020 are eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). And should apply without delay so that you can continue to work, study, and access the UK’s free healthcare and benefits after 30 June 2021.

Furthermore, the European Economic Area (EEA) includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The application is a Scotland Citizenship requirement that will allow all EU, EEA and Swiss citizens to continue working in the UK after Brexit.

EU Settlement Scheme banner written out in scrabble letters

So, this means you need to apply even if you:

were born in the UK but are not a British citizen – you can check if you’re a British citizen if you’re not sure
have a UK ‘permanent residence document’
are a family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who does not need to apply – including if they’re from Ireland
are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen with a British citizen family member

And, if you have children, you need to apply for them separately.

How to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme

Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme here. If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and you have a family member who is an eligible person of Northern Ireland, you may be able to choose which way you apply. But do contact us here at EDCAB. We can guide you through the forms and help complete all of these in time.

In filing a successful application before the EU Settlement Scheme deadline, each applicant will receive either settled or pre-settled status. Need more help? Speak with us, or see our guide on how EU citizens can stay in Scotland after the deadline.

You can apply to switch to settled status as soon as you’re eligible. This is usually after you’ve lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 5 years in a row (known as ‘continuous residence’).

The five years is counted from the day you started your continuous residence, not the day you were granted pre-settled status.

You may not be eligible for settled status if during the 5 years you spent more than 6 months outside the UK in a 12-month period.

For example; You came to the UK on 2 March 2018 and got pre-settled status on 15 January 2020. You will become eligible to apply for settled status on 2 March 2023, after you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years.

The latest you could apply for settled status is on 14 January 2025, just before your pre-settled status expires.

Further Help and Advice

If you are looking to stay in the UK after Brexit, your local Citizens Advice Bureau can advise you. Residents of East Dunbartonshire can contact us here for free, impartial advice.