Applying to live and work in the UK if you are a citizen of the EU/EEA
If you were living in the UK on the 31 December 2020 and you are a:
- European Union (EU) citizen
- European Economic Area (EEA) citizen, or a
- Swiss national
new rules mean you have to apply for pre-settled or settled status if you want to continue to live and work in the UK.
The scheme to apply for pre-settled or settled status is called the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
The deadline for applying to the EUSS was 30th June 2021. If you missed the deadline you should still apply, giving reasons why you were late.
If you do not apply to the EUSS you will not be able to get help from the council with housing or claim benefits.
How do I apply to the EUSS?
You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) on the Gov.uk website.
It is free to apply.
What if I arrived in the UK for the first time on or after 1 January 2021?
If you were not living in the UK before 31 December 2020, or entered the UK for the first time on or after 1 January 2020, you will be subject to immigration control and the rules about your eligibility for help with housing are different.
Where can I get more help?
Find out more about the EUSS here.
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This page was last updated: November 10, 2026
The information contained on this site is updated and maintained by Shelter Cymru and only gives general guidance on the law in Wales. It should not be regarded or relied upon as a complete or authoritative statement of the law.
