The Diplomat
More than 320,000 Spaniards have signed up to the Settlement Scheme, the registration system set up by the British government for citizens of European Union countries who were in the country on 31 December 2020 to confirm their residency, according to the latest figures provided by the British authorities, with one month to go before the deadline.
This figure is almost double the 180,000 Spaniards estimated to be in the UK at the time of Brexit.
In view of its exit from the EU, the United Kingdom set up the aforementioned settlement programme, in which all EU and European Economic Area citizens who have arrived in the country until 31 December 2020 are entitled to register, with the deadline for registration ending on 30 June this year.
According to a note from the British Embassy in Madrid, since the Settlement Scheme was launched in March 2019 until 31 March 2021, more than 5.4 million applications have been received from EU and EEA nationals, of which more than 4.9 million have already received a status: 53 per cent have received settled status and 44 per cent have received pre-settled status. The difference is that those who have been living in the UK for less than five years receive pre-settled status, and once they reach five years, they can apply for settled status.
As for Spaniards, 320,850 applications have been received, of which 304,310 have been processed. Of these, 43 per cent have been granted settled status, while 54 per cent have been granted pre-settled status. The remaining three percent are applications declared invalid, withdrawn or rejected.
Spaniards are the fifth largest nationality by applicants after Poles (with 975,180), Romanians (918,270), Italians (500,550) and Portuguese (376,440).
The Settlement Scheme is a very simple and free process that can be completed here, in which applicants only need to complete three steps: prove their identity, that they live in the UK and declare any criminal convictions.
Once granted status, EU citizens can continue to enjoy their rights, such as working, accessing the public health and education system and receiving public benefits.
The Interior Ministry, which updates the figures on a monthly basis, holds a series of information events across the country where government employees answer questions and help people apply in person. It has also developed a publicity campaign to encourage EU citizens to register.
“There are a number of support mechanisms in place for the most vulnerable or those who need extra support, so I encourage everyone to apply and register,” said Border and Immigration Minister Kevin Foster. “Once you apply, you will join the millions of people who have secured the status they need to continue living and working here,” he added.
Nine million pounds has also been awarded to 57 voluntary organisations that are helping vulnerable people such as the homeless, disabled and elderly. Additional support is also available for those EU citizens in the UK who do not have the access, skills or confidence to register, with more than 300 sites across the country where people can receive assistance with their application and more than 80 where they can scan and verify their passport.
