Press release

£3 million grant to help UK nationals in EU for Brexit

These measures will help UK nationals living in the EU who may struggle to complete residency applications so that they can stay in EU countries.

From:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP
Published
30 August 2019

The government is providing up to £3 million in grant funding for charities and other voluntary organisations who will inform UK nationals about the need to register or apply for residency and support them as they complete their applications.

Over 1 million UK nationals live in EU and EFTA countries and the government wants to support those who may find it harder to complete all the paperwork – focusing in particular on pensioners or disabled people, those living in remote areas or with mobility difficulties, and those needing assistance with language translation or interpretation.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said:

The UK will be leaving the EU on October 31st and we want to help UK nationals living across the EU to be fully ready for Brexit, whatever the circumstances. This funding will ensure people get the support they need to apply to protect their residency rights and access to services.

This extra assistance will build on the support that British Embassies are already providing. The government’s communication campaign is encouraging UK nationals in the EU to take action now to:

  • register or apply for residency
  • register for healthcare in their host country
  • exchange their UK driving licence
  • check that their passports are valid for travel

UK nationals living in EU and EFTA member states are encouraged to visit the government’s Living In guides on our website, with specific information for each country.

Organisations working with people who might be affected and who might require additional support can apply for project funding from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office from 19 September at gov.uk/fco.

Watch the Foreign Secretary’s statement

Watch the Foreign Secretary’s statement

We will be holding teleconferences to provide bidders with a fuller understanding of the fund and an opportunity to ask questions on the bidding process. Interested organisations can sign up at the links below:

Organisations are also invited to complete an online questionnaire to provide feedback on the UK National Support Fund strategy before the open competition is launched. A link to this questionnaire, as well as further information, is available on the Contracts Finder page for the UK National Support Fund.

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Published 30 August 2019

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