Monika J
Knowing about your rights isn’t as easy as it seems - rules can change and they vary based on your situation. It wasn't always easy for me but now I use my experience to help others, such as helping them to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme.
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Scroll down the page to view the next sections: 'EU Citizens’ rights in the UK' and 'Help & info on Brexit'.
Key information
1. EU citizens living in the UK before ‘Brexit’ (31st January 2020) can maintain their rights
EU citizens who moved to the UK before 31st January 2020:
- Have the right to freely live, work, study, access healthcare and education in the UK
- Need to apply to the ‘EU Settlement Scheme’ by 30th June 2021 for these rights and entitlements to continue after 30th June 2021. Don’t delay as applications can take time to process!
2. EU citizens can move freely to the UK between 31st January 2020 and 31st December 2020
During this transition period, EU citizens still have the right to move to the UK, and rent and work freely. They also have the right to remain for a certain period provided they apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
3. EU citizens living in the UK before 31st December 2020 can get help to apply for the ‘EU Settlement Scheme’
There are organisations in Haringey that can help (read more in the next sections):
- To check if you should apply for the ‘EU Settlement Scheme’
- To get help to apply to the scheme by 31st December 2020
4. EU citizens who want to move to the UK from January 2021 may be assessed based on their skills
It is likely that they will need to make an application, and their right to live and work freely in the UK will be assessed based on the skills they can contribute.
- The details are unclear at this stage until new rules are published later this year - we will update this page as soon as we know more
5. Visit the Haringey Council website to keep up-to-date with news about Brexit
6. You may be entitled to financial help from the government
Some people need help with daily living costs to make ends meet, for example if they earn a low income or are not in work. They need to:
- Apply for ‘Universal Credit’ or other ‘benefits’
- Show they have the ‘right to reside’ - the rules are complex but this usually means they have worked and paid taxes in the UK for at least a few months and intend to continue living here
7. Get the right legal and immigration help
For specialist immigration advice, look for an ‘OISC registered’ advisor (search online here) - this means they are qualified to advise you about immigration. Depending on your legal query, there are local organisations who can provide free basic support:
8. Embassies provide a range of services to resident nationals from their home country
They are well known for helping with citizenship services such as passport replacements / renewals, and voting in elections, but many offer additional support. For example, they may provide a list of local doctors and lawyers.
- Learn how to get in touch with them here
EU Citizens’ rights in the UK
This page applies to EU citizens who moved to the UK before 31st December 2020
Here we list your rights and entitlements. You will need to apply to the 'EU Settlement Scheme' for these to continue.
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The right to live
You have the right to freely live in the UK
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The right to work
You have the right to work in the UK. You do not need a work permit or visa regardless of the type of work you do, but every resident needs a ‘National Insurance Number’ to work legally:
- What is it? It’s like a social security number that allows the government to identify who you are and record the taxes you pay, and entitlements you receive correctly
- How can I get one? You need to make an application which can take a few weeks to process. You can start working while your number arrives if you prove you have the right to work in the UK - simply show your employer your EU passport or National Identity card (see our dedicated section ‘Preparing important documents’ for details of how to apply)
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The right to healthcare
You have the right to receive the basic healthcare listed below. To receive more complex healthcare such as specialist care, you may need to prove you have the ‘right to reside’. You will normally meet this requirement if you have been working or studying in the UK for at least a few months, and intend to continue living here.
- Treatment by your local doctor (GP)
- Emergency care in an ‘Accident & Emergency’ hospital department
- Family planning advice (contraception)
- NHS telephone advice lines (111)
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The right to education
All children aged 5-18 years have the right to receive government-funded education. No child can be refused a place in a school because of their immigration status or background
- Children aged 5-16 years must attend a school full-time
- Children aged 16-18 years must study full-time, or combine work / training with part-time studies
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The right to financial help from the government
Some people need help with daily living costs to make ends meet, for example if they earn a low income or are not in work. People who are eligible need to apply for ‘Universal Credit’ or other ‘benefits’ and show they have the ‘right to reside’. Whether they meet this requirement depends on the outcome of their application to the EU Settlement Scheme:
- ‘Settled status’ (indefinite leave to remain) - they are entitled to all types of financial support from the government
- ‘Pre-settled status’ (limited leave to remain) - there are some restrictions on claiming financial support from the government
Help & info on Brexit
At the present time, information about Brexit and the impact it will have is unclear. We will update this page as soon as we know more!
How will Brexit affect me?
How will Brexit affect me?
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EU citizens living in the UK before 31st January 2020
Your rights and entitlements are unchanged, but you need to apply to the ‘EU Settlement Scheme’ by 30th June 2021 to maintain them after this date. You can continue to access services using your passport or National Identity card until then. Once your application has been processed, you will be granted one of the following outcomes:
- ‘Settled status’ (indefinite leave to remain) - you are entitled to all types of financial support from the government
- ‘Pre-settled status’ (limited leave to remain) - there are some restrictions on claiming financial support from the government
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EU citizens who move to the UK after 31st January 2020 but before 31st December 2020
During this transition period, EU citizens still have the right to move to the UK, and rent and work freely. They also have the right to remain for a certain period provided they apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
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EU citizens who move to the UK after 31st December 2020
Your right to live and work freely in the UK will likely be assessed based on the skills you can contribute here. This means that only selected people that meet the skills requirements will be granted the right to live and work in the UK.
- The details are unclear at this stage until new rules are published later this year - we will update this page as soon as we know more
Applying to the EU Settlement scheme
All EU citizens living in the UK before 31st December 2020 need to apply to the ‘EU Settlement scheme’ to maintain their rights and entitlements after 30th June 2021. Don’t delay as this must be done before the end of December 2020! Read more about the scheme on the government website here (further information is available in 26 EU languages).
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How can I apply?
You need to complete an online form and show some documents to confirm your identity - it’s free to apply.
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What documents do I need to show?
‘Proof of identity’ (a valid passport or National Identity card) and proof of address in the UK - what you need to show depends on your personal situation, but you can check our dedicated section ‘Proof of identity and address’ for more details.
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Can I get help to apply?
Yes, there are organisations in Haringey than can advise whether you need to apply, and help you make an application (see below for details)
Getting help and advice about Brexit
There are organisations in Haringey that offer free and confidential advice to residents, from providing advice on their rights / entitlements, to helping them apply to the EU Settlement scheme. You can also read the latest information and guidance about Brexit from Haringey Council: