While the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December 2020, EU nationals have until 30 June 2021 to apply for Settled Status. If they fail to apply they will lose the right to live and work in the UK. A national campaign has been launched by the EU Embassy in the UK, to inform and support EU nationals applying to secure their rights.
After 30 June 2021, EU nationals must prove to employers, landlords and others that they have settled status, or risk being denied work or housing. EU citizens’ groups are concerned that EU nationals who have lived in the UK for many years may even face deportation due to lack of documentation, in an echo of the Windrush scandal. Campaigners are concerned that some groups may have particularly limited access to information or help. These include senior citizens, students, stay-at home parents, and care-leavers. They have also identified groups who may not know that they need to apply, such as non-EU citizens who are family members of EU citizens, and ‘non-continental Europeans’, for instance, people from East Timor who are also Portuguese, and Sudanese who are also French.
The EU Embassy is issuing leaflets with information about the requirements and how to apply. These are available here https://op.europa.eu/en/
Eligible people can also visit this information source provided by the European Commission and Mayor of London http://www.eurights.uk/
It seems the Lambeth Council scheme to support applicants through verifying their identity is not in operation; details will be posted here if this position changes.
