You would be forgiven if you could not remember all the historical events that transpired in 2016. It was certainly a year of achievement combined with shocking outcomes from Leicester City achieving the impossible dream of becoming Kings of English Football to Donald Trump winning the US elections to become the 45th President of the United States.  

Despite many headlines there was one major event that took place right here in the United Kingdom that would impact over 28 Countries, this is the referendum. In summer of 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union with 51.9 of voters wishing to terminate our membership with the EU leading to the term ‘Brexit’. This result would not just impact Britain but have major implications for all members who are part of the EU.   

The one persisted question that was on the tongues of all EEA (European Economic Area) Nationals was what would happen to me once Brexit is finalised. In this article we will discuss the impact of Brexit on EEA Nationals through the Withdrawal Agreement. 

 

The Withdrawal Agreement 

On 14 November 2018 the United Kingdom reached an agreement in principle known as the withdrawal agreement. The draft document would be shown and highlights the rights that protects EU Citizens in the United Kingdom and UK Nationals in the EU. Assuming there are no more delays, Britain will be leaving the European Union on 31 January 2020 and the protection offered by the withdrawal agreement will mean the rights of EU Citizens will be protected allowing them to continue to live, work, study and have access to public services.  

Essentially these rights will continue until the end of 2020 allowing all EU Citizens to basically continue exercising their Treaty Rights that were afforded to them under the European Union. This will be known as the implementation period which will be followed by a grace period in which EU Citizens be allowed to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme. Below is a draft timeline of the events that will lead to our exit from the European Union and the next steps involved. 

 

Implementation Period  

The implementation Period started on the day the UK left the EU and will  last until 31 December 2020. This period will ensure that EU Citizens have the same rights in the UK as they had when Britain was under EU Law. 

Grace Period 

After the 31 December 2020, EU Citizens will then have six months known as a Grace period. Within this Grace period they will be allowed to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. Their rights to remain during this time frame will be under the Withdrawal Agreement. 

EU Settlement Scheme 

As mentioned earlier EEA Citizens that wish to remain in the UK beyond 31st December 2020 will have six months to apply under this scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to give EEA Citizens and their family members the right to remain in the UK. 

Family members will be allowed to join their EEA Nationals living in the UK, however there are strict deadlines that must be considered. If a relationship was formed before the deadline (31 December 2020), then they will be allowed entry after this date. If the relationship was formed after they will not be allowed under this scheme. 

Finally, many EEA nationals currently living in the UK who have been exercising their Treaty Rights for more than five years will as a result be given a document confirming their right to permanent residency. As this is strictly in accordance with EU Law this document will have no significant meaning to Britain anymore. Therefore, EU Nationals who have acquired permanent residency must apply under the EU Settlement Scheme and if their application is successful will be granted settled status here in the United Kingdom.     

EU Citizens should be reassured that their rights will be protected and since the referendum in 2016 the British Government has repeatedly stated that their rights are a top priority. For EU Citizens who have remained in the United Kingdom nervously awaiting on what their future holds should be reassured that the government are taking appropriate steps to entrench the rights of all EU Citizens living in the UK.  

If you have any questions or would like help with an application feel free to get in touch with us/ 

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