Information for EEA nationals from 1 January 2021

From 1 January 2021, if you are a EEA national your eligibility to claim benefit may be effected depending on when you arrived in the UK and you current status.

EEA citizens who arrived before 1 January 2021

EU Settlement Scheme: EEA citizens’ resident in the UK prior to the end of the transition period (11pm 31 December 2020) and their family members need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.

If you are granted settled status you will have the same access to benefits as British citizens.

If you have pre-settled status you will need to meet certain criteria to be able to received benefits. 

Further information can be found on the GOV.UK website. 

EEA citizens who arrive on or after 1 January 2021

All non-British citizens (excluding Irish citizens) who arrive from 1 January 2021, except for a few special circumstances, will be restricted from accessing income-related benefits until they have achieved indefinite leave to remain, typically after five years.

If an EEA citizen is granted leave to remain they will have the same access to benefits as British citizens.