EU Citizens and Permanent Residence

Breytenbachs are delighted to inform clients of the following new Home Office guidance for EU citizens who want to naturalise as British citizens. 

An EU applicant applying for naturalisation as a British citizen, who has permanent residence and settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), can combine the time spent on both to qualify using current EUSS leave and permanent residence they previously held under the EEA Regulation. Previously, they would only have been able to rely on time spent on the settled status. This means that they can show to have been free from immigration time restrictions for 12 months before applying using current EUSS leave and permanent residence that they previously held under the EEA Regulations.  

Furthermore, suppose an EU citizen has obtained permanent residence, but not settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. In that case, and up to 30 June 2021, they can still apply for British nationality and rely on their permanent residence, provided they can show that they were legally in the UK during the period of residence. 

In particular, for people applying for naturalisation as British nationals between 1 January 2021 and 30 June 2021, EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members will be free from immigration time restrictions if they:

  • Have settled status under the EUSS. 
  • Been granted indefinite leave to remain under the Immigration Rules on another basis 
  • Have a permanent residence right – if they do not have EUSS leave. They will need a permanent residence card/document to apply for citizenship, but will not be able to apply for one if they do not already have one 
  • Are Irish nationals

Different rules apply if the applicant is married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen

How Breytenbachs can help you 

Breytenbachs have a team of experts dealing with EU Settlement Scheme applications. This team will also be able to assist clients with their British naturalisation applications. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information, or to continue with your application. 

Contact us at [email protected] or phone us on 0207 44 22160

Please contact us today for further information or applications.

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