What will happen to EU citizens in the UK after Brexit, will they need visas to work in Britain and how many are here now? Theresa May has declared EU citizens can apply for 'settled status' if they’ve lived in the UK for five years
THE countdown to the UK’s historic EU breakaway has begun with negotiations well under way.
But what will Brexit mean for the millions of EU citizens who currently live in the UK - and the Brits living in Europe. Here's what we know...
Prime Minister Theresa May wrote to Donald Tusk triggering Article 50 on March 29 2017
How many EU citizens are there in the UK?
Around 3.6million EU nationals currently live in the UK, including nearly 600,000 children.
Theresa May she confirmed all EU nationals living in the UK will now be able to gain “settled status” and stay here for ever.
The PM vowed in June “no family will be split up” as she outlined a 15-page document detailing the Government’s offer on citizen rights.
After an initial agreement on "divorce issues" was reached on December 8 Mrs May pledged that EU citizens' rights would be written into UK law.
She then wrote an open letter saying: “I greatly value the depth of the contributions you make – enriching every part of our economy, our society, our culture and our national life.
“I know our country would be poorer if you left and I want you to stay.”
What will happen to EU citizens in the UK after Brexit?
The PM has said that from the second half of next year there will be a “transparent, smooth and streamlined” process to allow EU citizens to apply for "settled status"
She said the process will cost no more than a passport, which is £72.50 for a standard adult version.
After the announcement Mrs May wrote an open letter reading: “So right now, you do not have to do anything at all. You can look forward, safe in the knowledge that there is now a detailed agreement on the table in which the UK and the EU have set out how we intend to preserve your rights – as well as the rights of UK nationals living in EU countries.
Brexit Home Office minister Brandon Lewis later added that there would be a "presumption in favour" of approving applications, with people hearing in two weeks.
He said that application paperwork would include just six to eight questions and take "a few minutes".
Those given "settled status" with have "broadly the same rights" as British citizens.
Children born in the UK to parents from the EU will automatically become British citizens.
Irish citizens will not have their rights affected by Brexit and will always be able to live and work in Britain freely.
What did Theresa May say to reassure EU Citizens?
Prime Minister Theresa May issued a direct appeal to EU citizens living in the UK to stay in the country after Brexit.
She denied plans to use them as "bargaining chips" in her negotiations.
In a message, she said: “We want people to stay and we want families to stay together.
“We hugely value the contributions that EU nationals make to the economic, social and cultural fabric of the UK. And I know that member states value equally UK nationals living in their communities.
"I couldn’t be clearer: EU citizens living lawfully in the UK today will be able to stay.”
However in February 2018 it emerged the system to register new EU migrants may not be ready by Brexit.
Officials said a separate scheme is needed to the one that registers existing European citizens.
Will they need visas to work here?
EU citizens will still be able to travel to and live in Britain after Brexit under new immigration plans, it has been reported.
But a system of permits will limit the number of working migrants under the Home Office proposals.
Theresa May said on July 31 that it was “wrong” to suggest free movement of people will “continue as it is now” after March 2019.
After this date, EU workers moving to the UK will have to register until a permanent post-Brexit immigration policy is put in place.
In September, a leaked Home Office paper revealed the UK plans to cap the number of low-skilled EU migrants - confirming an end to free movement after Brexit.
Freedom of movement allows EU citizens to live and work in and in certain circumstances access the welfare system of any other EU country.
The government document, dated August 2017, spells out dramatic plans to slash the number of Europeans entering Britain.
Bosses may also be forced to recruit British workers first before looking overseas.
And ministers may restrict new work permits to occupations where there is a shortage of workers.
What about British citizens who live in Europe?
The PM wants to guarantee the rights of 4.5 million Brits living in Europe.
The Government promised:
Brits will be able to get free healthcare while living or travelling in Europe under a continuation of the EHIC scheme
Brit pensioners living in Europe will have their pension payments increased every year just as if they were still in the UK
Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s chief negotiator, is pushing forward plans for Brits to be offered “associate citizenship” after the UK leaves the EU.
Under the terms of the proposals, the “associate citizenship” would be available to citizens of former EU member nations who “feel and wish to be part of the European project”.
They could even be offered a vote in EU elections.
What about our passports?
Old school British passports could make a comeback after a re-design was ordered by the Government ready for 2019 when the country quits the EU.
A £500 million tender has been sent out by the Home Office for firms to produce the new secure identification as we leave the EU.
The Sun has been calling on the Government to bring back our famous dark blue passport — as a symbol of the UK regaining sovereignty from the EU.
Comments