GOV.UK
Settled and pre-settled status for EU citizens and their families
What settled and pre-settled status means
Getting settled status or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme means you can continue to live and work in the UK after 31 December 2020.
If you get settled status
You can:
- stay in the UK for as long as you like
- apply for British citizenship, if you meet the requirements
You should be able to spend up to 5 years in a row outside the UK without losing your settled status.
How long you can live outside the UK is still subject to approval by Parliament.
If you have children in the future
Any children born in the UK after you’ve got settled status will automatically be British citizens.
If you get pre-settled status
You can stay in the UK for a further 5 years from the date you get pre-settled status.
You can apply for settled status as soon as you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and spent at least 6 months of each year in the UK - known as ‘continuous residence’. You will not need to pay a fee.
You can spend up to 2 years in a row outside the UK without losing your pre-settled status, but you will need to maintain your continuous residence if you want to qualify for settled status.
If you have children in the future
Any children born in the UK after you’ve got pre-settled status will be automatically eligible for pre-settled status, if they are not a British citizen.
They will only be a British citizen if their other parent has one of the following:
- British citizenship
- settled status
- indefinite leave to remain in or enter the UK
- right of abode in the UK
Your rights with settled or pre-settled status
Settled or pre-settled status will mean you can:
- work in the UK
- use the NHS
- enrol in education or continue studying
- access public funds such as benefits and pensions, if you’re eligible for them
- travel in and out of the UK
Viewing and proving your status
You’ll be able to get proof of your status through an online service. You will not get a physical document unless both of the following apply:
- you’re from outside the EU
- you do not already have a biometric residence card