Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

All EEA citizens, their family members, and others with an EU right to reside in the UK can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme until 30 June 2021. Applications made after that date will only be accepted if there is good reason for the delay.

If you can prove that you have lived continuously in the UK for five years you get “EU settled status” which gives you the right to live in the UK indefinitely, and makes you eligible for housing and homelessness services and benefits. In immigration law EU settled status is a form of indefinite leave to remain.

If you can prove that you had a right to reside in the UK before 1 January 2021 (or came to join a family member who had a right to reside in the UK before 1 January 2021) but not that you have lived continuously in the UK for five years, you get “EU pre-settled status” which lasts for five years, which you can apply to convert to settled status at the end of the five years. This gives you the right to live in the UK but you will only be eligible for housing, homelessness services and benefits if you also have an EU right to reside that “qualifies” you: generally as a worker or self-employed person, former worker, student or self-sufficient person. In immigration law pre-settled status is a form of limited leave.