EEA / EU and swiss nationals
Under European law EEA and Swiss nationals enjoy the right to live and work in the United Kingdom.
EU and Swiss nationals have a right of residence in the United Kingdom if:
- they have a job in the UK
- they do not work but have enough funds provide for their own living without claiming public funds support (eg studying or living as a retired person). Public funds include Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
Residence permits
A residence permit proves that one lives legally in the UK under European Community law. This could be required if, say, you need to prove your UK residency for tax purposes, or if your family are not EEA nationals.
Nationals of the
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
are required to register under the Worker Registration Scheme and then apply for a residence permit. Usually a residence permit is issued for 5 years but this can be shorter for people who will be working or studying in the UK less then a whole year.
The residence permit is an entitlement under the law. The application will only be rejected if, for example, the applicant is not working and does not have sufficient funds to support themselves.