Official Statistics

EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics, September 2020

Updated 21 January 2021

Introduction

The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) enables resident EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members, to obtain a UK immigration status. Further information about the EU Settlement Scheme, including eligibility requirements and the application deadline, can be found on the GOV.UK EU Settlement Scheme webpage.

The scheme is a simple digital system which allows EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens who are resident in the UK to obtain, free of charge, settled status or pre-settled status in the UK. Find out more about what settled and pre-settled status means.

The EU Settlement Scheme launched fully on 30 March 2019, following the success of two private beta testing phases and public beta testing of the application process. During the testing phases (between 28 August 2018 and 29 March 2019) there were over 230,000 applications. A final report on the public beta test phase was published on 2 May 2019.

About this release

This publication takes an in-depth look at the total number of applications to the EU Settlement Scheme between 28 August 2018 and 30 September 2020, and their outcomes. This covers the period between the launch of the first private beta scheme to the end of Q3 2020.

This publication presents applications to the scheme and their outcomes by nationality, age, and geography (which includes constituent parts of the UK, region and local authority).

This edition of the publication includes paper applications (including those made on the basis of a derivative right to reside in the UK) and these are included in the totals. This follows the integration of data derived from two separate case-working systems used to process electronic and paper applications into a single reporting set of data. Additional detail on paper applications can be found in the ‘About the data’ section and in the accompanying document Home Office EU Settlement Scheme statistics: user guide.

The integration of data from the two separate caseworking systems also incorporates applications which were transferred onto a second caseworking system for administrative reasons. The original application would be given a ‘withdrawn or void’ outcome and the case record on the second caseworking system would have the substantive decision outcome (i.e. settled, pre-settled, refused) recorded on it. Prior to the integration of the data from the two case-working systems, the statistics reported the ‘withdrawn or void’ outcome for those transferred cases, but the statistics now refer to the substantive outcome instead.

The overall number of applications is not affected by the transfer of cases between systems and these are only counted once in the statistics. For more information on the reasons why an application may be transferred between systems, please see the Home Office EU Settlement Scheme statistics: user guide.

Information on applications made on the basis of a derivative right to reside in the UK are included in the EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics data tables (in table EUSS_DR_01) and in Chapter 5 of this report. Information on the circumstances under which people may apply on the basis of derivative rights of residence are included in the Home Office EU Settlement Scheme statistics: user guide.

Following the integration of paper applications, a new set of tables is also included in EUSS_MON, providing revised monthly breakdowns of applications by nationality, UK country and outcome, using the same format as the previously published monthly statistics reports.

Related data

This quarterly publication complements high-level monthly statistical updates on the progress of the EU Settlement Scheme, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/eu-settlement-scheme-statistics.

The monthly figures provide more timely updates on the high-level progress of the EU Settlement Scheme, whereas the quarterly release provides users with greater detail on the applications received, their outcomes and additional supporting data.

The previous monthly update, covering the period up to the end of October 2020, was published on 12 November 2020 and includes totals based on all applications received and conclusions (electronic and paper).

About the data

These statistics are released as Experimental Statistics, meaning they are going through development and evaluation. The Home Office is continuing to work to improve these statistics to ensure they meet the needs of users. Further details can be found in the ONS Guide to Experimental Statistics.

The data in this report account for the number of applications to the system, including individuals making applications on more than one occasion. An individual who has been granted pre-settled status can make a new application at a later stage to apply for settled status. As these are separate applications with separate outcomes, they are counted separately in the statistics. Analysis of internal figures, as of 30 September 2020, suggests that repeat applications currently represent fewer than four percent of applications received. It is our intention to publish additional detail on repeat applicants in 2021.

Totals published in the quarterly release may not necessarily match the totals in the monthly updates. Figures are sourced from a live operational database, to which revisions may be made. Data used to produce the quarterly report are extracted after the monthly data covering the corresponding time period, so there may be slight variation between the figures.

Figures in this publication refer specifically to applications made to the EU Settlement Scheme and cannot be directly compared with estimate of the resident population of EU/EEA nationals in the UK. Figures in this report include non-EEA national family members and eligible EEA nationals not resident in the UK. None of these are usually included in estimates of the resident EU/EEA population. Furthermore, the population estimates do not take account of people’s migration intentions and will include people who have come to the UK for a range of purposes, including some who have no intention to settle in the UK.

Paper applications

Applications to the EU Settlement Scheme are generally made through an online system, although there are certain exceptions where applications may be submitted using a paper application form.

Paper application forms may be submitted by applicants who:

• are applying on the basis of a derivative right to reside
• do not hold a valid identity document and are unable to obtain one
• are unable to apply using the online application form and cannot be supported to do so

Additional information can be found on the GOV.UK EU Settlement Scheme webpage and in the Home Office EU Settlement Scheme statistics: user guide.

Applications made online are captured and processed on a digital case working system, from which the majority of the data underpinning the statistical reports are extracted. Applications made using a paper form are captured and processed using a separate case working system once they have been received. Paper-based applications were included for the first time in the EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics published in August 2020. Revisions were made to the entire back series of monthly and quarterly figures to account for the 10,000 paper applications made to the EU Settlement Scheme through to 30 June 2020, providing a more comprehensive picture of EUSS applications received.

This publication also provides additional detail on applicants applying on the basis of a derivative right to reside in the UK, which constitute the majority of applications submitted using a paper application form. Derivative rights of residence are relevant to applicants who do not qualify for a right of residence under the Free Movement Directive (Directive 2004/38/EC), but may qualify for a right to reside in the UK derived from other EU law. Derivative rights applicants can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme under one of the following routes:

• Chen
• Ibrahim & Teixeira
• Lounes & Surinder Singh
• Zambrano

Further information on the above routes and eligibility requirements for each can be found in the Home Office EU Settlement Scheme statistics: user guide.

User Guide

The Home Office EU Settlement Scheme statistics: user guide provides further details on this topic including, definitions used, data conventions, methods, data quality, and issues arising from figures based on data sourced from a live operational database.

Feedback

We welcome feedback on the ‘EU Settlement Scheme statistics’ publications. Additionally, we’re always looking to improve the accessibility of our documents. If you find any problems, or have any feedback relating to accessibility or otherwise, please contact us by emailing MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please include the words ‘EUSS PUBLICATION FEEDBACK’ in the subject of your email.

1. Key points

This report covers the period from 28 August 2018 up to 30 September 2020.

Figure 1 - EU Settlement Scheme: cumulative number of applications received, and applications concluded at the end of each month since the start of the scheme

Source: Table EUSS_MON, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

Applications received

As of 30 September 2020, over 4 million (4,062,000) applications had been received, with 91% received in England, 5% in Scotland, 2% in Wales and 2% in Northern Ireland.

Across all nationalities, the highest numbers of applications received were from Polish, Romanian and Italian nationals. Polish and Romanian nationals were consistently among the highest application numbers within England, Scotland and Wales. For Northern Ireland however, Polish and Lithuanian nationals accounted for the largest number of applications.

There were 578,830 applications received from people under 18, 3.4 million (3,390,330) applications from those aged 18 to 64 and 92,680 applications from those aged 65 and above (14%, 83% and 2%, respectively). Northern Ireland had a noticeably higher proportion (18%) of applications from people under 18 compared to the rest of the UK (14% for each nation).

Applications concluded

Over 3.8 million (3,880,380) applications had been concluded up to 30 September 2020.

Of the concluded outcomes, 56% (2,172,180) were granted settled status, 42% (1,614,600) were granted pre-settled status and 2% had other outcomes (including 16,630 refused applications, 34,580 withdrawn or void applications, and 42,360 invalid applications).

Concluded outcomes granted settled status were higher for Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland (64%, 61%, 60%, respectively), compared to England (56%).

Local authority statistics

As of 30 September 2020, Newham saw the highest number of applications to the scheme (98,650).

As of 30 September 2020, Ealing had the highest number of applications from Polish nationals (19,210) of all local authorities.

Applications on the basis of a derivative right to reside

There were 3,990 applications received from family members of British citizens (Surinder Singh and Lounes), 3,270 applications received from Zambrano applicants, 840 applications received from Chen applicants and 170 applications received from Ibrahim & Teixeira applicants.

Zambrano applications had a much higher proportion of refused outcomes (1,090 refusals, 63%) than the other routes based on a derivative right to reside in the UK (less than 1%).

2. Applications to the EU Settlement Scheme

The total number of applications received up to 30 September 2020 was 4,062,000.

2.1. Applications from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Most applications were received from England (3,693,240; 91%) with an additional 204,660 from Scotland (5%), 67,150 from Wales (2%) and 66,260 from Northern Ireland (2%).

2.2. Applications by nationality

In total, there were 3,790,920 applications received from EU nationals, 32,090 received from other EEA and Swiss nationals and 238,790 received from non-EEA nationals. The nationalities with the highest number of applications received were:

• Polish (773,840)
• Romanian (670,600)
• Italian (401,800)
• Portuguese (306,350)
• Spanish (246,600)

The top five nationalities combined represent around 3 of every 5 (64%) applications received.

Applications were received from all constituent countries of the UK: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with Poland and Romania featuring in the top 5 nationalities for each country (see Table 1).

Table 1 - EU Settlement Scheme: top five nationalities by applications received and UK country, 28 August 2018 to 30 September 2020

	England	Scotland	Wales	Northern Ireland
1st	Poland	Poland	Poland	Poland
2nd	Romania	Romania	Romania	Lithuania
3rd	Italy	Italy	Portugal	Romania
4th	Portugal	Spain	Bulgaria	Portugal
5th	Spain	Bulgaria	Italy	Bulgaria

Source: Table EUSS_01, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

As can be seen in Figure 2, a lower proportion of Polish nationals applied from England (85%) than the average across all nationalities (91%). Scotland had nearly double the average uptake for Polish nationals (9%) compared to the average of 5% across all nationalities in Scotland.

The remaining top five nationalities, Romania, Italy, Portugal and Spain, had a greater number of applicants applying from England than average (94%, 94%, 93% and 91%, respectively). Non-EEA nationals also had a higher than average proportion (95%) of applicants applying from England.

Northern Ireland had more than three times the number of applications for Lithuanian nationals (15%) compared to the average of 4% across all the other nations

Figure 2 - EU Settlement Scheme: number and proportion of applications by nationality and UK country, 28 August 2018 to 30 September 2020 - top 10 nationalities (and non-EEA nationals) by number of applications

Source: Table EUSS_01, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

2.3. Applications by age group

Of the 4,062,000 applications received:

• 578,830 (14%) were made from applicants under 18 years of age.
• 3,390,330 (83%) were made from applicants aged between 18 and 64.
• 92,680 (2%) were made from applicants aged 65 and over.

Compared to the rest of the UK, Northern Ireland had a noticeably higher proportion (18%) of applications from people under 18. This was 14% across all other nations.

There was some variation in the proportion of applicants from different age groups for different nationalities across the UK. Irish and Norwegian nationals had the highest proportion of applications from those aged under 18 (21%). Maltese nationals had the highest proportion of applications from those aged 65 and over (11%).

Figure 3 - EU Settlement Scheme: proportion and number of applications by UK country by age group, 28 August 2018 to 30 September 2020

Source: Table EUSS_02, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

3. Concluded applications to the EU Settlement Scheme

The number of concluded applications up to 30 September 2020 was 3,880,380. Of these, 56% (2,172,180) were granted settled status and 42% (1,614,600) were granted pre-settled status. There were 16,630 refusals, 34,580 withdrawn or void outcomes and 42,360 invalid outcomes in the same period, representing 2% of all outcomes. Of the refusals, 99% were refused on eligibility grounds and 1% were refused on suitability grounds.

In February 2020, the Home Office began refusing EU Settlement Scheme applications on eligibility grounds. Many of these eligibility refusals relate to cases that had been under consideration for several months and, in most cases, subject to repeated unsuccessful attempts to obtain missing evidence or information from the applicant.

Additional information on application criteria can be found in Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules.

Refusal outcomes occurred across all constituent parts of the United Kingdom, all age groups, and most nationalities.

3.1. Concluded applications by UK country

The majority of concluded applications were received from England (3,531,600; 91%), with an additional 196,390 from Scotland (5%), 64,210 from Wales (2%) and 62,960 from Northern Ireland (2%).

England was the source of the greatest number of applications, and the proportion of applications receiving settled status (56%) across the whole UK is the same as England alone.

Compared to England, applications received in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland were more likely to be granted settled status (64%, 60% and 61%, respectively).

Refused, withdrawn or void, and invalid outcomes occurred across all constituent parts of the UK. Applications from England accounted for the largest proportion of the 16,630 EU Settlement Scheme refusals (14,320, 86%).

3.2. Concluded applications by nationality

There were 3,654,410 concluded applications from EU nationals, 30,410 from other EEA and Swiss nationals, and 195,470 from non-EEA nationals. Similar to the number of applications received, the nationalities with the highest number of concluded applications were:

• Polish (749,430)
• Romanian (639,750)
• Italian (390,130)
• Portuguese (296,850)
• Spanish (237,500)

The top five nationalities combined represent 3 of every 5 (60%) applications concluded.

The proportion of settled outcomes differs among the top 10 nationalities, with Polish and Lithuanian nationals having the highest proportion of settled outcomes (80% and 77%, respectively), compared to Croatian and Romanian nationals with the lowest proportions (25% and 34%, respectively).

Eligible non-EEA nationals had a greater proportion of pre-settled outcomes (63%) than settled outcomes (33%).

Refused, withdrawn or void, and invalid outcomes occurred across most EEA and Swiss nationalities. EU and other EEA and Swiss nationals accounted for four out of five (81%) of the 16,630 EU Settlement Scheme refusals, with non-EEA nationals accounting for just under a fifth of refusals (18%).

 

Figure 4 - EU Settlement Scheme: number and proportion of concluded applications by nationality and outcome, 28 August 2018 to 30 September 2020 - top 10 nationalities (and non-EEA nationals) by number of concluded applications

Source: Table EUSS_03_UK, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

3.3. Concluded applications by age group

There were 3,254,800 concluded applications from persons between 18 to 64 years of age, 536,380 from people under 18, and 89,130 from individuals aged 65 and over. Of the concluded applications made by those aged 65 and over, the majority (77%) resulted in a settled outcome, higher than concluded applications for people under 18 and those aged 18 to 64 (62% and 54%, respectively).

Refused, withdrawn or void, and invalid outcomes occurred across all age groups. Individuals aged between 18 and 64 accounted for the vast majority of the 16,630 EU Settlement Scheme refusals (94%).

Figure 5 - EU Settlement Scheme: proportion and number of concluded applications by age group and outcome, 28 August 2018 to 30 September 2020

Source: Table EUSS_04, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

 

4. Applications to the EU Settlement Scheme by local authority

Applications to the EU Settlement Scheme were made from all 379 UK local authorities^{[footnote 1]}. Newham saw the highest number of applications to the scheme (90,970).

Table 2 - EU Settlement Scheme: top 10 London local authorities by applications received, 28 August 2018 to 30 September 2020

	Local Authority	UK Region	Applications
1st	Newham	London	98,650
2nd	Brent	London	91,800
3rd	Ealing	London	76,520
4th	Haringey	London	66,870
5th	Barnet	London	62,990
6th	Hounslow	London	59,440
7th	Tower Hamlets	London	58,810
8th	Waltham Forest	London	57,510
9th	Lambeth	London	55,240
10th	Enfield	London	53,500

Source: Table EUSS_LA_01, EU Settlement Scheme local authority tables

The UK region of London accounted for seven of the top 10 local authorities by number of applications made. Birmingham saw the highest number of applications to the scheme (84,860) of all the local authorities outside of London. The top 10 local authorities (excluding London) are spread across multiple regions of the UK with the Midlands and the East of England accounting for six of the top 10.

Table 3 - EU Settlement Scheme: top 10 local authorities outside London by applications received, 28 August 2018 to 30 September 2020

	Local Authority	UK Region	Applications
1st	Birmingham	West Midlands	84,860
2nd	Leicester	East Midlands	63,780
3rd	Manchester	North West	61,120
4th	Edinburgh	Scotland	48,930
5th	Leeds	Yorkshire and The Humber	42,360
6th	Bristol	South West	38,310
7th	Northampton	East Midlands	37,620
8th	Peterborough	East of England	37,190
9th	Coventry	West Midlands	35,420
10th	Luton	East of England	34,220

Source: Table EUSS_LA_01, EU Settlement Scheme local authority tables

Scotland had the highest proportion of applications from Polish nationals (35%). The West Midlands saw the highest joint proportion of Romanian and Polish applicants (21%).

At a local authority level, of all local authorities with at least 10,000 applications:

• Wakefield had the highest proportion of applications from Polish nationals (51%);
• Harrow had the highest proportion of applications from Romanian nationals (57%).

The North West had the highest proportion of applications from people under 18 (20%), London had the highest proportion of applications for those aged 18 to 64 (86%), and the South East, East of England, South West and Wales had the highest proportion of applications from individuals aged 65 and over (3%).

At a local authority level, of all local authorities with at least 10,000 applications:

• Oldham and Bolton had the joint highest proportion of applications from people under 18 (30%);
• Islington had the highest proportion of applications from people aged 18 to 64 (93%);
• Kensington and Chelsea and Bedford had the joint highest proportion of applications from people over 65 (5%)

5. Paper applications based on a derivative right to reside

Derivative rights applicants are applicants who do not qualify for a right of residence under the Free Movement Directive but may qualify for a right to reside in the UK derived from other EU law. Derivative rights applicants can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme under one of the following routes:

• Chen
• Ibrahim & Teixeira
• Lounes & Surinder Singh
• Zambrano

More information on these routes and eligibility requirements can be found in the Home Office EU Settlement Scheme statistics: user guide.

There were 3,990 applications received (2,460 concluded) from family members of British citizens (Lounes and Surinder Singh), 3,270 applications received (1,730 concluded) from Zambrano applicants, 840 applications received (140 concluded) from Chen applicants and 170 applications received (20 concluded) from Ibrahim & Teixeira applicants.

When looking at the total refusals in the derivative rights applicants (1,110), Zambrano applications accounted for 98% of the total (1,090).

About these statistics

This is the sixth quarterly statistical publication on the progress of the EU Settlement Scheme. The Home Office plans to publish quarterly statistical updates, which are designed to complement higher-level monthly data published on the EU Settlement Scheme.

If, as a user, you have any comments on this report please email MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.

The findings presented here are based on data collected from Home Office administrative systems. These systems hold records of individual applications that have been received to the EU Settlement Scheme and their outcomes (settled or pre-settled status, and other outcomes). As these are sourced from live operational systems, numbers may change and may not precisely reflect other published statistics produced at a different point in time. The majority of applicants to the scheme are EEA nationals, but non-EEA nationals are eligible to apply in some cases. Non-EEA nationals who have submitted an application to the scheme, are included in these statistics.

The Home Office EU Settlement Scheme statistics: user guide provides further details on this topic, including definitions used, data conventions, methods, data quality, and further considerations arising from figures based on data sourced from a live operational database.

Other related data

The Home Office publishes high-level progress information on the EU Settlement Scheme through monthly Experimental Statistics, available from the EU Settlement Scheme Statistics collection on GOV.UK.

Key findings of the earlier test phases of the EU Settlement Scheme can be found on GOV.UK at EU Settlement Scheme private beta 1, EU Settlement Scheme private beta 2 and EU Settlement Scheme public beta testing phase report.

The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Family Permit facilitates entry into the UK of an eligible non-EEA citizen family member, in order to join or accompany, an EEA or Swiss citizen who has been granted settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Data on EUSS Family Permits are published as part of the quarterly Home Office “Immigration Statistics”, and are covered in the chapter ‘Why do people come to the UK? For family reasons’. The latest quarterly Immigration Statistics report was published on 26 November 2020.

The View and Prove service allows those with EUSS settled or pre-settled status, or those who have applied for a visa using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan an identity document, to perform the following tasks:

• get a ‘share code’ to prove their status to others, for example employers
• update their personal details, for example passport number or email address
• check what rights they have in the UK, for example the right to work or claim benefits

Information on the numbers of View and Prove status checks and average user satisfaction measured through an online survey are reported as part of HO transparency data^{[footnote 2]}.

The Home Office Looked After Children and Care Leavers Survey, 2020 provides estimates of the numbers of looked after children and care leavers eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. The survey findings identified 3,220 looked after children and care leavers eligible to apply to the EUSS, and that 46% had applied to the scheme as of 30 October 2020.

Data tables

Further data on the EU Settlement Scheme for the period 28 August 2018 to 30 September 2020, are available in:

• EUSS_01 to EUSS_05, EUSS_DR_01 and EUSS_MON, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables
• EUSS_LA_01 to EUSS_LA_03, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly local authority tables

Upcoming publications

The next quarterly EU Settlement Scheme release is due for publication in February 2021.

1. Local authority districts, April 2020 ↩

2. As the View and Prove service is available to those making applications for a range of visa products in addition to the EUSS, information relating to the EUSS forms a subset of the figures published as part of HO transparency data. ↩