EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members in the UK, will need to apply to secure their rights through a free, simple, digital system. This will give them a status in UK law, once we leave the EU. There is plenty of time to apply – in a deal scenario, the date for applications to be made is 30 June 2021. In a no deal, applicants have until 31 December 2020.

Irish citizens do not need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to protect their status and rights. They are covered by Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements.                                                                           

Home Secretary, Priti Patel, announced on 9 October 2019, that there have been 2 million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme. This means that there are an estimated 1 million EU Citizens still to apply. These may include vulnerable people such as the homeless, disabled and elderly. Many of these vulnerable people may be members of our parishes and may have applied already. Those who hold Permanent Residence will need to convert this to settled status, by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme. Others may not be aware of the need to apply, or require particular assistance. These could include people who are elderly, housebound, live in a Care Home, have poor English skills or need a translator, have poor, or no, computer or digital skills, are homeless.

If you know of anyone this may apply to then please help them to find members of the parish or a charity who have the appropriate skills to work with them.

Wales EU Citizens Scheme