Reminder to EU Citizens in Reading to Apply to Stay in UK

EU CITIZENS living or working in Reading are being reminded by the Council to apply for UK immigration status if they wish to stay in the UK in the future.

Following the UK’s departure from the EU on 31st January, it is important European citizens use the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to retain their right to live here, work here and access public services such as healthcare, education and benefits after December 31st 2020.

Cllr Jason Brock, Leader of Reading Borough Council, said:

“The Council values the contribution made by EU citizens in Reading and would encourage them to take advantage of the EU Settlement Scheme to ensure they can continue to enjoy living and working in the borough. “Reading has always been a welcoming place for people from a wide range of backgrounds and the diversity of the town is one of its great strengths. “It is important EU citizens are aware of the procedures they need to follow to ensure they maintain all the rights they are entitled to in the UK.” The UK government has reached an agreement with the EU that will protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members living in the UK through the EU Settlement Scheme. An agreement has also been reached for citizens from Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Most EU citizens living in Reading, and their family members, will need to apply to stay in the UK. EU Citizens need to be resident in the UK by 31st December 2020 to be eligible for the EUSS. There is a six-month grace period to apply by 30th June 2021 but the individual must still have been resident by 31st December 2020. It is free to apply for the EUSS and there is a government web page which gives full details: https://www.gov.uk/eusettledstatus.