Official Statistics

EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics, June 2022

Updated 27 September 2022

1. Introduction

In line with the Citizens’ Rights Agreements, the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) enables EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens resident in the UK by the end of the transition period at 11pm on 31 December 2020, and their family members, to obtain a UK immigration status. Further information about the EUSS, including eligibility requirements and details regarding making a late application, can be found on the GOV.UK EU Settlement Scheme webpage.

1.1 About this release

This publication takes an in-depth look at applications to the EU Settlement Scheme and covers the period between the launch of the first private beta scheme on 28 August 2018 to 30 June 2022.

Applications to the scheme and their outcomes are presented by nationality, age, and geography (which includes constituent parts of the UK, region and local authority).

Repeat applicants and their outcomes are included in this publication, reflecting a data matching methodology which enables us to link multiple applications to individual applicants. Additional detail on repeat application data can be found in the ‘About the data’ section and in section 5.2 and 5.3 in the Home Office EU Settlement Scheme statistics: user guide.

2. Key points

This report covers the period from 28 August 2018 to 30 June 2022. Figure 1 below shows the total applications and conclusions at the end of each month since the start of the scheme, with a peak in applications and conclusions seen in September and October 2019, as well as in June 2021, which reflected the 30 June 2021 deadline for applications from those resident in the UK by 31 December 2020. Applications since 30 June 2021 have remained steady, averaging 54,000 per month.

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 seen in Figure 1, as of 30 June 2022, 6.7 million (6,699,190) applications had been received, with 89% received in England, 5% in Scotland, 2% in Wales and 2% in Northern Ireland

  • of the 6.7 million applications received, 91% (6.1 million) were from EEA nationals, with the highest number of applications from Romanian (1,290,850), Polish (1,159,740) and Italian (594,390) nationals

  • of the 6.7 million applications received, 8% (512,750) were from non-EEA nationals, with the highest number of applications from Indian (84,010), Pakistani (71,210) and Brazilian nationals (51,700)

  • there were 647,150 applications received between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022. Of those, 267,350 were late applications, 211,710 were repeat applications (including those moving from pre-settled to settled status), 162,450 were from joining family members and 5,650 were from derivative rights applications

Applications concluded

  • 6.5 million (6,473,830) applications had been concluded up to 30 June 2022

  • of the concluded outcomes, 51% (3,281,950) were granted settled status, 41% (2,627,770) were granted pre-settled status and 9% had other outcomes (including 306,300 refused applications, 133,000 withdrawn or void applications, and 124,560 invalid applications)

  • For applications received from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022, 476,400 were concluded. Of those, 175,940 were concluded late applications, 186,440 were concluded repeat applications, 113,740 were concluded joining family member applications and 280 were concluded derivative rights applications

Repeat applicants

  • of the 6.7 million applications received, 11% were from repeat applicants (727,770)

  • this indicates that an estimated 5,904,510 people had applied to the scheme up to 30 June 2022, with over 5.4 million obtaining a grant of status

  • it is estimated that a total of 5,466,100 EEA national applicants and 436,900 non-EEA national applicants had applied to the EUSS up to 30 June 2022

  • Romanian nationals accounted for the highest number of repeat applicants to the scheme (198,650, 27%)

  • 88% of repeat applicants have received a grant of status (settled or pre-settled status)

  • 53% (384,470) of repeat applicants have moved from pre-settled to settled status

  • as of 30 June 2022, just over a quarter (99,150, 26%) of those moving from pre-settled to settled status were Romanian nationals

3. Applications to the EU Settlement Scheme

The total number of applications received up to 30 June 2022 was 6,699,190.

Total number of applications received from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 was 647,150.

3.1 Applications post 30 June 2021 deadline

Following the 30 June 2021 deadline for applications to the EUSS by those resident in the UK by the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, the EUSS continues to receive applications from three categories of applicants as detailed below:

Late applications

For EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members resident in the UK by the end of the transition period, the deadline for applications to be made to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) was 30 June 2021. However, in line with the Citizens’ Rights Agreements, they and others can make a late application to the EUSS where there are reasonable grounds for their delay in making an application. More information on late applications can be found at: EU Settlement Scheme: information for late applicants - GOV.UK

Repeat applicants

Repeat applicants include those who have previously applied to the EUSS, were granted pre-settled status, and need to apply again for settled status before their pre-settled status expires. However, in line with the Citizens’ Rights Agreements, they can make a late application to the EUSS where there are reasonable grounds for their delay in making an application.

Joining family members

A person can apply to the EUSS as a joining family member of an EU, other EEA or Swiss citizen resident in the UK by the end of the transition period who, with some exceptions, has pre-settled or settled status under the EUSS, where the family relationship existed by the end of the transition period (except in the case of a child born or adopted after that date) and continues to exist when the person applies to the EUSS. A late application can also be made by a joining family member where there are reasonable grounds for their delay in making an application where they apply after the deadline of three months from the date they arrived in the UK (or 30 June 2021 where they arrived by 31 March 2021).

Applications from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 show:

  • there were 267,350 late applications
  • 211,710 applications were from repeat applicants (including those moving from pre-settled to settled status)
  • 162,450 applications were from joining family members
  • 5,650 applications from Derivative Rights applicants (see section 5 for more information on Derivative Rights applications)

Figure 2: EU Settlement Scheme: Applications by type post 30 June 2021, 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022

Source: Table EUSS_POST_30_JUNE, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

3.2 Repeat applicants

Of the 6.7 million applications received, approximately 11% were from repeat applicants (727,770). This indicates that an estimated 5,904,510 people have applied to the scheme with over 5.4 million (5,440,400) obtaining a grant of status [footnote 1].

It is estimated that a total of 5,466,100 EEA national applicants and 436,900 non-EEA national applicants had applied to the scheme up to 30 June 2022 [footnote 2].

Of the people that made a repeat application (727,770), the vast majority made just one further application (92%).

Of the repeat applicant cohort, as of 30 June 2022:

88% (643,750) of repeat applicants have received a grant of status:

  • of those, 53% (384,470) moved from pre-settled to settled status
  • 14% (100,070) received a grant of settled status following an ‘other’ outcome(s) [footnote 3]
  • 22% (159,210) received a grant of pre-settled status following an ‘other’ outcome(s) or a previous grant of pre-settled status

In addition:

  • 12% (84,020) of repeat applicants have not yet received a grant of status (either pre-settled or settled status)
  • of those, 1% (4,830) have not yet received an outcome

Figures on repeat applicants can be found in data Table EUSS_RA_01 EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

Repeat applicants by nationality

As of 30 June 2022, there were 656,760 repeat applicants from EEA nationals, with Romanian nationals (198,650) submitting the highest number of repeat applications (27%). Italian (85,290, 12%) and Polish (72,860, 10%) nationals made the second and third highest number of repeat applications.

65,890 (9%) of repeat applicants were non-EEA nationals.

Outcomes by nationality

In terms of repeat applicants by outcome, overall, Slovenian nationals (84%) had the highest proportion of settled status grants, closely followed by Estonian nationals (81%). Non-EEA nationals had the highest proportion of pre-settled status (32%).

Repeat applicants moving from pre-settled to settled status by nationality

As of 30 June 2022, just over a quarter (99,150, 26%) of those moving from pre-settled to settled status were Romanian nationals, followed by Italian nationals (62,830, 16%).

Figures on repeat applicants by nationality can be found in data Table EUSS_RA_01- EUSS_RA_04 EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

More detail on repeat applicants definitions and methodology can be found in the EUSS user guide.

3.3 Applicants who have moved from pre-settled to settled status

Figure 3 below shows the number of applicants who have moved from pre-settled to settled status per month since the launch of the scheme. There has been a steady increase in numbers from December 2019 onwards, with June 2021 seeing the largest number of people moving from pre-settled to settled status (25,060 applicants coinciding with the 30 June 2021 deadline), followed by May 2022 (24,700). December 2021 and April 2022 saw a dip in these figures, which reflected the low number of applications overall for those months.

Figure 3: EU Settlement Scheme: Repeat applicants moving from pre-settled to settled status by month, 28 August 2018 to 30 June 2022

Source: Table EUSS_MON, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

3.4 Applications from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Most applications were received from England (5,982,580; 89%) with an additional 314,150 from Scotland (5%), 107,860 from Wales (2%) and 109,820 from Northern Ireland (2%)[footnote 4].

3.5 Applications by nationality

In total, there were 6,120,800 applications received from EU nationals, 65,450 received from other EEA and Swiss nationals and 512,750 received from non-EEA nationals. The nationalities with the highest number of applications received were:

  • Romanian (1,290,850), of which 209,240 were post 30 June 2021
  • Polish (1,159,740), of which 53,580 were post 30 June 2021
  • Italian (594,390), of which 45,000 were post 30 June 2021

Romanian nationals accounted for nearly a third (32%) of all applications received from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.

3.6 Applications from non-EEA nationals

There were 512,750 applications from non-EEA nationals.

The top 5 non-EEA nationalities reflect a similar pattern to applications received through the EUSS family permit route, which were published in the latest Immigration Quarterly statistics. EUSS family permits enable family members of EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens, resident in the UK by the end of the transition period (and of qualifying British citizens returning to the UK after living in the EEA or Switzerland) to join them in the UK. Once here, the family member can then apply to the EUSS for the immigration status they need to continue living in the UK.

The top five non-EEA nationalities to have applied to the scheme up to the end of June 2022 were India (84,010), Pakistan (71,210), Brazil (51,700), Nigeria (34,750) and Albania (34,080) with no change from the previous quarter.

June 2021 saw the highest number of applications from non-EEA nationals (44,290) whilst there were 94,350 applications from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.

Figures on applications by non-EEA nationals can be found in data Tables EUSS_NON_EEA_01 and EUSS_NON_EEA_02 EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

Ukrainian nationals

Ukrainian nationals accounted for 3% of applications to the EUSS from non-EEA nationals (13,520). Data on visas issued to Ukrainian nationals from the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme are updated regularly here: Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) and Ukraine Extension Scheme visa data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Finalised data on visa applications are available in the quarterly Home Office “Immigration Statistics”, in the chapter “Statistics on Ukrainians in the UK”.

3.7 Applications by age group

Volume of applications and conclusions by age have remained stable over the course of the scheme. Please see EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables for further information.

4. Concluded applications to the EU Settlement Scheme

The number of concluded applications up to 30 June 2022 was 6,473,830. Of those, 51% (3,281,950) were granted settled status and 41% (2,627,770) were granted pre-settled status. There were 306,300 refusals, 133,000 withdrawn or void outcomes and 124,560 invalid outcomes in the same period, representing, combined, 9% of total outcomes.

4.1 Concluded applications by type post 30 June 2021

For applications received from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 476,400 were concluded, of which:

  • 175,940 were from late applications (with 55% granted status)
  • 186,440 were from repeat applicants (with 91% granted status)
  • 113,740 were from joining family members (with 61% granted status)
  • 280 were concluded derivative rights applicants (61% granted status)

Figures on outcomes by repeat applicants can be found in section 2.1.

4.2 Concluded applications by UK country

The majority of concluded applications were received from England (5,789,830; 89%), with an additional 306,900 from Scotland (5%), 104,910 from Wales (2%) and 105,050 from Northern Ireland (2%).

Figure 4 - Settled status proportion of grants by region for the whole of the UK

Source: Table EUSS_LA_03, EU Settlement Scheme local authority tables

4.3 Concluded applications by nationality

There were 5,934,610 concluded applications from EU nationals, 63,700 from other EEA and Swiss nationals, and 475,380 from non-EEA nationals. Similar to the number of applications received, the nationalities with the highest number of concluded applications were:

  • Romanian (1,218,650)
  • Polish (1,138,060)
  • Italian (584,770)
  • Portugal (442,020)
  • Spain (378,390)

For non-EEA nationals, the top five nationalities in concluded applications were:

  • India (78,620)
  • Pakistan (66,480)
  • Brazil (48,440)
  • Albania (31,130)
  • Nigeria (30,500)

As seen in Figure 5, eligible non-EEA nationals had a greater proportion of pre-settled status outcomes (59%) than settled status outcomes (29%). Proportions of refusals for non-EEA nationals remain low at 6% but are slightly higher than EU nationals at 5%.

Figure 5 - EU Settlement Scheme: number and proportion of concluded applications by nationality and outcome, 28 August 2018 to 30 June 2022 - top 10 nationalities (and non-EEA nationals) by number of concluded applications

Source: Table EUSS_03_UK, EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics tables

4.4 Concluded applications by age group

There were 5,206,740 concluded applications from persons between 18 to 64 years of age, 1,100,730 from people under 18, and 166,340 from individuals aged 65 and over. Of the concluded applications made by those aged 65 and over, the majority (64%) resulted in a settled outcome, higher than concluded applications for people under 18 and those aged 18 to 64 (56% and 49%, 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 306,300 refusals (83%).

5. Applications to the EU Settlement Scheme by local authority

Applications to the EU Settlement Scheme were made from all 379 UK local authorities [footnote 5]. Newham saw the highest number of applications to the scheme (160,900) overall. Birmingham saw the highest number of applications to the scheme (158,910) of all the local authorities outside London.

Figure 6 below shows the top nationality in each local authority within London.

Figure 6 – EUSS applications by top nationalities in London

Source: Table EUSS_LA_01, EU Settlement Scheme local authority tables

6. Applications based on a derivative right to reside

Derivative rights applicants are applicants who did not qualify for a right of residence under the Free Movement Directive but may have had 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 4,790 applications received (4,700 concluded) from family members of British citizens (Lounes and Surinder Singh), 13,820 applications received (4,260 concluded) from Zambrano applicants, 2,040 applications received (1,490 concluded) from Chen applicants and 450 applications received (280 concluded) from Ibrahim & Teixeira applicants.

When looking at the refusals in the derivative rights applicants, Zambrano applications (2,360) accounted for 85% of the total refusals (2,780).

7. About these statistics

If, as a user, you have any comments on this report please email MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please include the words ‘EUSS PUBLICATION FEEDBACK’ in the subject of your email.

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.

7.1 About the data

EU Settlement Scheme statistics were newly established in 2019 and as such were initially designated as ‘Experimental Statistics’ Types of official statistics – UK Statistics Authority. Statisticians in the Home Office have worked to quality assure these statistics and from May 2022, these are designated as ‘Official Statistics’.

There has been extensive development to assure the data quality for the EU Settlement Scheme with all the final publishable data now using the same reproducible data pipeline to extract, process and quality assure the data. This includes a cross-check of the tables to ensure accurate totals, undertaking logic checks to investigate anomalies and for consistency against previous totals. Any significant changes are investigated with Home Office operational and policy teams who undertake both regular and ad-hoc data cleansing exercises.

However, as the data come from administrative data sources, they are subject to some inaccuracies inherent in any admin data sources.

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 estimates 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 including derivative rights to reside

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.

Repeat applications

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. There are several caseworking systems used to administer applications to the scheme, each with a unique application number but not a single person identifier to distinguish repeat applicants. Analysis using probabilistic data matching methods have been developed to better understand the number of repeat applicants to the scheme. This allows us to provide more accurate figures on the number of people who have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme overall, including their outcomes. More information regarding the methodology is provided in section 5.3 in the Home Office EU Settlement Scheme statistics: user guide

7.2 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.

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 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 25 August 2022.

The Home Office Looked After Children and Care Leavers Survey, 2021 provides estimates of the numbers of looked after children and care leavers eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. The follow up survey findings identified 3,895 looked after children and care leavers eligible to apply to the EUSS, and that 95% had applied to the scheme as of 30 November 2021. The updated report was published on 9 December 2021.

8.1 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.

9. Data tables

Further data on the EU Settlement Scheme for the period 28 August 2018 to 30 June 2022, are available in:

10. Upcoming publications

The next quarterly EU Settlement Scheme release is due for publication on 24 November 2022.

The final monthly summary EU Settlement Scheme figures were published on the 14 July 2022, with data up until 30 June 2022. EU Settlement Scheme, June 2022

The EU Settlement Scheme quarterly statistics will continue to provide updated information on the scheme, including monthly breakdowns of applications and conclusions.

  1. Figures on repeat application analysis may not exactly match those in the analysis of cases processed 

  2. Figures in this publication refer specifically to applications made to the EU Settlement Scheme, including repeat applications as people transition from pre-settled to settled status. These estimates cannot be directly compared with estimates of the resident population of EU/EEA nationals in the UK. Please see the EUSS user guide (section 6.1) for more information. 

  3. ‘Other’ outcome includes refused, withdrawn/void or invalid. 

  4. The EUSS user guide (section 3.6) provides information on applications where locational data is not currently in an analysable form from live systems. This proportion (2.8%) includes applications associated with a non-UK address. 

  5. Local Authority Districts (December 2020) Names and Codes in the United Kingdom