United KingdomFree movement
Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.
The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm the citizenship, status or regional agreement that creates the right to move or reside.
The status is residence-based, not activity-based: applicants do not choose; pre-settled status is usually given when they have less than 5 years' continuous residence, depending on how long they have lived in the UK when applying.
You’ll be given either: settled status, usually where you’ve lived in the UK for a continuous 5-year period (known as ‘continuous residence’) pre-settled status You will not be asked to choose which you’re applying for. Which status you get usually depends on how long you’ve been living in the UK when you apply.
Applicants apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (free) and receive a certificate of application that protects rights until decision; without applying, rights are not protected. Joining family members are protected for 90 days from arrival. Evidence of identity, continuous residence (begun by 31 December 2020, unless joining family) and family relationship is required.
Settlement Scheme and received a certificate of application. This means you cannot: access benefits and services (including free NHS healthcare) work or study in the UK rent a property in England How to protect your rights by applying Once you’ve applied and received your certificate of application to the EU Settlement Scheme, your rights are protected.
, your rights will automatically be protected for 90 days from the date of your arrival in the UK. After 90 days, your automatic temporary protection will end. You’ll need to prove that you’ve submitted an application to continue to access your rights in the UK.
4. What you'll need to apply If you are from the EU , Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, and you started living in the UK by 31 December 2020 - or you’re applying to join or remain with your family member who did - you’ll need evidence to prove your: identity continuous residence in the UK and (unless you’re applying to join a family member) that it started by 31 December 2020 relationship to your family member, and their eligibility or status under the EU Settlement Scheme, if you’re applying to join or remain with them in the UK
Fees It’s free to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Joining family members are protected for 90 days from arrival. The official source does not state which non-EU family members can join or their other rights.
Settlement Scheme and received a certificate of application. This means you cannot: access benefits and services (including free NHS healthcare) work or study in the UK rent a property in England How to protect your rights by applying Once you’ve applied and received your certificate of application to the EU Settlement Scheme, your rights are protected.
, your rights will automatically be protected for 90 days from the date of your arrival in the UK. After 90 days, your automatic temporary protection will end. You’ll need to prove that you’ve submitted an application to continue to access your rights in the UK.
4. What you'll need to apply If you are from the EU , Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, and you started living in the UK by 31 December 2020 - or you’re applying to join or remain with your family member who did - you’ll need evidence to prove your: identity continuous residence in the UK and (unless you’re applying to join a family member) that it started by 31 December 2020 relationship to your family member, and their eligibility or status under the EU Settlement Scheme, if you’re applying to join or remain with them in the UK
Fees It’s free to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Settled status is usually available after 5 years in a row of continuous residence; pre-settled status is extended by 5 years before expiry and may be converted automatically. Conversion requires not being outside the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for more than 30 months (2.5 years) in the last 5 years, or more than 6 months in any 12-month period (with exceptions). Continuous residence must be maintained or the Home Office may cancel pre-settled status, and it is lost automatically after more than 5 years in a row outside.
You’ll usually be eligible for settled status once you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years in a row. It’s free to apply. Your pre-settled status will be extended by 5 years just before it’s due to expire. You’ll be sent an email telling you when this happens. After your pre-settled status has been extended, it may be automatically converted to settled status. You can also apply for settled status as soon as you’re eligible.
5. Convert pre-settled status to settled status You must have 5 years’ continuous residence. You may be eligible to convert to settled status as long as you’ve not been outside the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for more than either: 30 months (2.5 years) in the last 5 years 6 months in any 12-month period within any 5-year period (there are some exceptions when you can be outside the UK for more than 6 months
Spending time outside the UK if you have pre-settled status You must maintain your continuous residence in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. If you do not do this, the Home Office may cancel your pre-settled status. You’ll lose your pre-settled status automatically if you spend more than 5 years in a row outside the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.
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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.