Official Statistics

EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics, June 2020

Published 27 August 2020

1. 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, 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.

1.1 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 June 2020, and their outcomes. This covers the period between the launch of the first private beta scheme to the end of Q2 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 is the first edition of the publication in which paper applications (including those made on the basis of a derivative right to reside in the UK) are included in the totals. Paper applications will be incorporated in all future reporting (monthly and quarterly). This follows the integration of data derived from two separate caseworking 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 The original application would be given a ‘withdrawn or void’ outcome and the case record on the second caseworking system would have the substantive decision outcome (i.e. settled, pre-settled, refused) recorded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 caseworking systems, the statistics reported the ‘withdrawn or void’ outcome for those transferred cases, but the statistics now refer to the substantive outcome instead.

As a result of this change, the overall number of withdrawn or void outcomes has decreased by approximately 7,000, and the overall number of substantive decision outcomes has increased in the revised figures. The overall increase in substantive outcomes is greater than the decrease in withdrawn or void outcomes due to the inclusion of additional outcomes from paper applications.

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_MO, providing revised monthly breakdowns of applications by nationality, UK country and outcome, using the same format as the previously published monthly statistics reports.

1.2 Related data

This quarterly publication complements high-level monthly statistical updates on the progress of the EU Settlement Scheme, which can be found at: the EU Settlement Scheme statistics collection page.

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 July 2020, was published on 13 August 2020 but only includes electronic applications. The next monthly update, covering the period up to the end of August 2020, will be published on 10 September 2020 and will include totals based on all applications received (electronic and paper).

1.3 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 June 2020, suggests that repeat applications currently represent fewer than three per cent of applications received. It is our intention to publish additional detail on repeat applicants in future reports.

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 are included for the first time in the EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics, June 2020 publication. Revisions have been 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.

1.4 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.

1.5 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.

2. Key points

This report covers the period from 28 August 2018 up to 30 June 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_MO, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

Applications received

• As of 30 June 2020, over 3.7 million (3,721,960) 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 each constituent country (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

• There were 529,670 applications received from people under 18, over 3.1 million (3,108,140) applications from those aged 18 to 64 and 84,150 applications from those aged 65 and above (14%, 84% and 2% respectively). Northern Ireland had a noticeably higher proportion (18%) of applications from people under 18 compared to the rest of the UK.

Applications concluded

• Over 3.4 million (3,462,610) applications had been concluded up to 30 June 2020.

• Of the concluded outcomes, 57% (1,984,220) were granted settled status, 41% (1,427,070) were granted pre-settled status and 1% had other outcomes (including 3,060 refused applications, 25,170 withdrawn or void applications, and 23,090 invalid applications).

• Concluded outcomes granted settled status were higher for Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland (65%, 62%, 61% respectively), compared to England (57%).

Local authority statistics

• As of 30 June 2020, Newham saw the highest number of applications to the scheme (90,960).

• As of 30 June 2020, Ealing had the highest number of applications from Polish nationals (18,020) of all local authorities.

Applications on the basis of a derivative right to reside

• There were 3,480 applications received from family members of British citizens (Lounes & Surinder Singh), 2,890 applications received from Zambrano applicants, 700 applications received from Chen applicants and 130 applications received from Ibrahim & Teixeira applicants.

• Zambrano applications had a much higher proportion of refused outcomes (770 refusals, 61%) than the other routes based on a derivative right to reside in the UK (10 refusals, less than 1%). Derivative rights refusals accounted for a quarter (25%) of the 3,060 refusals under the scheme as a whole.

3. Applications to the EU Settlement Scheme

The total number of applications received up to 30 June 2020 was 3,721,960.

3.1 Applications from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Most applications were received from England (3,389,280; 91%) with an additional 186,610 from Scotland (5%), 61,640 from Wales (2%) and 61,080 from Northern Ireland (2%).

3.2 Applications by nationality

In total, there were 3,487,870 applications received from EU nationals, 28,060 received from other EEA and Swiss nationals and 205,990 received from non-EEA nationals. The nationalities with the highest number of applications received were:

• Polish (718,620)
• Romanian (609,060)
• Italian (372,380)
• Portuguese (286,390)
• Spanish (224,800)

The top five nationalities combined represent around 3 of every 5 (59%) 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 June 2020

England	Scotland	Wales	Northern Ireland
Poland	Poland	Poland	Poland
Romania	Romania	Romania	Lithuania
Italy	Italy	Portugal	Romania
Portugal	Spain	Bulgaria	Portugal
Spain	Lithuania	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 (95%, 94%, 93% and 92% respectively). Non-EEA nationals also had a higher than average proportion (95%) of applicants applying from England.

Northern Ireland had more than double the average uptake for Lithuanian nationals (5%) compared to the average of 2% across all nationalities in Northern Ireland.

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

Source: Table EUSS_01, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

3.3 Applications by age group

Of the 3,721,960 applications received:

• 529,670 (14%) were made from applicants under 18 years of age.
• 3,108,140 (84%) were made from applicants aged between 18 and 64.
• 84,150 (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.

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 (22%). Maltese nationals had the highest proportion of applications from those aged 65 and over (10%).

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

Source: Table EUSS_02, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

4. Concluded applications to the EU Settlement Scheme

The number of concluded applications up to 30 June 2020 was 3,462,610. Of these, 57% (1,984,220) were granted settled status and 41% (1,427,070) were granted pre-settled status. There were 3,060 refusals, 25,170 withdrawn or void outcomes and 23,090 invalid outcomes in the same period, representing 1% 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.

4.1 Concluded applications by UK country

Most concluded applications were received from England (3,156,390; 91%), with an additional 175,340 from Scotland (5%), 57,280 from Wales (2%) and 56,550 from Northern Ireland (2%).

England was the source of the greatest number of applications and the proportion of applications receiving settled status (57%) 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 (65%, 62% and 61%, respectively).

Refused, withdrawn or void, and invalid outcomes occurred across all constituent parts of the United Kingdom. Applications from England accounted for the largest proportion of the 3,060 EU Settlement Scheme refusals (92%).

4.2 Concluded applications by nationality

There were 3,285,470 concluded applications from EU nationals, 25,950 from other EEA and Swiss nationals, and 151,160 from non-EEA nationals. Similar to the number of applications received, the nationalities with the highest number of concluded applications were:

• Polish (680,070)
• Romanian (561,100)
• Italian (355,190)
• Portuguese (271,210)
• Spanish (212,820)

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 nationals having the highest proportion of settled outcomes (81%), compared to Romanian nationals with the lowest proportion (35%).

Eligible non-EEA nationals had a greater proportion of pre-settled outcomes (64%) 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 around half (51%) of the 3,060 EU Settlement Scheme refusals, with non-EEA nationals accounting for the other half (49%).

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

Source: Table EUSS_03_UK, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

4.3 Concluded applications by age group

There were 2,917,600 concluded applications from persons between 18 to 64 years of age, 466,750 from people under 18, and 78,260 from individuals aged 65 and over. Of the concluded applications made by those aged 65 and over, the majority (80%) resulted in a settled outcome, higher than concluded applications for people under 18 and those aged 18 to 64 (63% and 56% 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 3,060 EU Settlement Scheme refusals (96%).

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

Source: Table EUSS_04, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

5. Applications to the EU Settlement Scheme by local authority

Applications to the EU Settlement Scheme were made from all 379 UK local authorities. Newham saw the highest number of applications to the scheme (90,960). The UK region of London accounted for seven of the top 10 local authorities by number of applications made.

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

Local Authority	UK Region	Applications
Newham	London	90,960
Brent	London	84,800
Ealing	London	70,720
Haringey	London	61,480
Barnet	London	58,320
Hounslow	London	54,880
Tower Hamlets	London	53,720
Waltham Forest	London	53,070
Lambeth	London	51,240
Enfield	London	49,100

Source: Table EUSS_LA_01, EU Settlement Scheme local authority tables

Birmingham saw the highest number of applications to the scheme (76,920) 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 Scotland 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 June 2020

Local Authority	UK Region	Applications
Birmingham	West Midlands	76,920
Leicester	East Midlands	59,020
Manchester	North West	55,500
Edinburgh	Scotland	44,740
Leeds	Yorkshire and The Humber	38,880
Bristol	South West	35,060
Northampton	East Midlands	34,540
Peterborough	East of England	34,410
Coventry	West Midlands	32,020
Glasgow City	Scotland	31,230

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 proportion of Romanian 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%).

6. 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 3,480 applications received (1,530 concluded) from family members of British citizens (Lounes & Surinder Singh), 2,890 applications received (1,260 concluded) from Zambrano applicants, 700 applications received (60 concluded) from Chen applicants and 130 applications received (20 concluded) from Ibrahim & Teixeira applicants.

Concluded applications from Zambrano applications had a much higher proportion of refused outcomes (61%) compared to the other derivative right to reside routes and accounted for a quarter (25%) of the 3,060 refusals to the scheme.

7. About these statistics

This is the fifth 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, however 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.

8. 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 27 August 2020.

9. Data tables

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

• EUSS_01 to EUSS_05, EUSS_DR_01, EUSS_MO, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

• EUSS_LA_01 to EUSS_LA_03, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly local authority tables

10. Upcoming publications

The next quarterly EU Settlement Scheme release is due for publication in November 2020.