Published:  7th October 2019

February 2020 update – EU Citizens’ rights during a ‘transition period’

The purpose of this summary is to describe the law applicable to EU nationals residing in the UK, or who arrive in the UK, up until 31 December 2020. The position is stated on the basis of the law as at 10 February 2020, and is published by way of update following our previous briefings (at the bottom of this page) on what the position would have been if the UK had left the EU without a deal. If the Government does not extend the transition period post 31 December 2020, then we anticipate that there will be significant changes to the status quo for EEA nationals from 1 January 2021. We intend to prepare a further briefing later in the year when we have more clarity on the situation post the transition period.

NOVEMBER UPDATE

In the event of a no-deal Brexit, what does the law say about the rights of EU citizens living in the UK?

As the outcome of the latest Brexit negotiations are still uncertain — and with 31 October less than one month away – the latest research update from the Public Law Project (PLP) shows that EU citizens would still lack statutory protection for their rights in the event of a ‘no-deal’.

PLP’s briefing on EU citizens’ rights after a ‘no-deal’ Brexit provides EU citizens in the UK, and those advising them of their rights, with a single reference point on what the law currently says. It was first published in early August and has been updated to reflect developments in August and September.

Alexandra Sinclair, Research Fellow and head of the SIFT project here at PLP, has written a summary research briefing on the rights of EU citizens in case of a no-deal Brexit, drawing on her work monitoring statutory instruments produced as part of the Brexit process.