BREXIT: If you're an EU citizen, you and your family will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.

The Brexit process

The UK and the European Union (EU) reached an agreement on the UK's withdrawal from the EU in October 2019. The revised Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration has been approved by the UK Parliament through the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill. The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 and has entered a transition period where it remains a member of the EU Single Market and Customs Union until 31 December 2020. During the transition period the UK will seek to have agreed new trade and other arrangements with the EU.

The Government has published advice for individuals, businesses, UK nationals in the EU and EU citizens in the UK. See...

• GOV.UK - The UK has left the EU (opens new window)

You can also sign up to e-mail alerts to receive notifications of updates. See...

• GOV.UK - get BREXIT Transition period email alerts (opens new window)

Information on the EU Settlement Scheme for resident EU citizens

If you're an EU citizen, you and your family will be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. If your application is successful, you'll get either settled or pre-settled status. See...

• GOV.UK - Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status) (opens new window)

You can find out if you need to register using an on-line tool. See...

• GOV.UK - Continue to live in the UK if you're an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen (opens new window)

The EU Settlement Scheme opened on 30 March 2019 and you will need to register by 30 June 2021 in the event the Withdrawal Agreement is approved. You can sign up for email updates online. See...

• Home Office - Status of EU citizens in the UK - email alerts (opens new window)

You may be able to stay in the UK without applying - for example, if you're an Irish citizen or have indefinite leave to remain (ILR). See...

• GOV.UK - Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status) - Who should apply (opens new window)

The UK has reached an agreement on settlement with Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and a separate agreement with Switzerland. See...

• GOV.UK - EEA EFTA Separation Agreement and Explainer (opens new window)
• GOV.UK - Continue to live in the UK if you're an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen (opens new window)

Information on the EU Settlement Scheme for community leaders

The government has made information on the settlement scheme available online in all EU languages. See...

• GOV.UK - Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status) (opens new window)

An information pack is available for community leaders to promote the scheme. See...

• GOV.UK - EU Settlement Scheme: community groups toolkit (opens new window)

Information on the EU Settlement Scheme for employers

You can use an Employer Toolkit to explain the EU settlement scheme to employees. The toolkit contains a range of ready to use leaflets and posters. See...

• GOV.UK - EU Settlement Scheme: employer toolkit (opens new window)

Trade associations and the Federation of Small Business may be able to offer further guidance. See...

• Federation of Small Businesses - Brexit guidance for small businesses (opens new window)

Information on UK residents international travel

UK Residents are able to continue to travel to the EU on the same basis as they are now until the end of December 2020. Further information on what will happen after December 2020 will follow, during the transition period.

Information for businesses and employers

Information to assist businesses prepare for leaving the EU is available from Business Essex, Southend and Thurrock (BEST). See...

• BEST - Preparing businesses for EU Exit (opens new window) (para heading: Preparing businesses for EU Exit).