EEA Registration Certificates and EEA Residence Cards allow EEA/EU/EC nationals and their dependants to live and work in the UK. Any citizen of an EU country taking up residence in the UK in accordance with EU treaty rights is entitled to bring their family with them to the UK. Family dependants include a spouse and children under 21, and any other family members who are part of the same household and remain dependent upon the EU citizen.
If you are a national of an old EEA country or Switzerland then you can enter the UK freely with the minimum of documentation. You are not required to apply for entry clearance. You may still be asked to show some evidence and you will need your passport or national identity card.
On arrival in the UK we would advise any national of an old EEA country, to make an application for an EEA Registration Certificate. This certificate confirms your right of extended residence in the UK. Registration Certificates are particularly useful if you are married to a non-EEA national or have children who are not EEA nationals who may also want to come and live with you here. They are useful if you decide to stay in the UK to work or study, or if you need to access welfare benefits. Your dependants will need to each obtain an EEA Residence Card.
EEA Residence Cards and EEA Registration Certificates grant EU/EC nationals and their dependants the right of residence within the UK. According to European Community law, the right of residence allows EEA nationals and their dependants the right to live and work in the UK.
If you fall into this category you are can accept offers of employment, set up a business, manage a company, or set up a local branch of a company without a UK Work Permit. Citizens from A8 accession states may need to register under the Worker Registration Scheme instead. Separate rules apply to Romanian & Bulgarian nationals.
EEA Registration Certificate
Nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) member states may qualify for a five year residence permit.
If you are from the EEA it is possible to apply for an EEA Registration Certificate, however it is not essential. This is because a residence permit merely confirms that EEA nationals have the right of residence in the UK under European Community Law. A registration certificate is usually valid for five years. You will not be given a residence permit in the following circumstances:
- If you are in the United Kingdom for a short visit;
- If you are looking for work;
- If you will work and live in the United Kingdom for less than three months; or
- If you do not work in the United Kingdom and cannot support yourself without help from public funds
If you are an A8 national and you will work in the UK, you may be required to register under the Worker Registration Scheme prior to applying for an EEA registration certificate.
If you are on an EEA residence permit, you do not need to work while you are in the UK but you must be able to support yourself without relying on public funds.
EEA Residence Card
If you are a non-EEA family member of an EEA or Swiss national, it may be possible for you to join your family or partner in the UK by obtaining an EEA Residence Card. If you intend on coming to the UK for more than 6 months, it will be necessary to apply for an EEA family permit. If you are one of the following family members, you are entitled to apply for an EEA Residence Card:
- If you are the spouse of an EEA national
- If you are a descendant (child or grandchild) of an EEA national or his/her spouse who is 21 years of age or is their dependant (this includes stepchildren or adopted children)
- If you are a dependant in the ascending line (i.e. parents or grandparents) of an EEA national or his/her spouse. If you are a Swiss national or an EEA national you are entitled to live and work in the UK.
This is referred to as a right of residence. You will have a right of residence if you fulfil the following:
- If you are working within the United Kingdom; or
- If you do not work in the United Kingdom but you are financially able to support yourself without relying on public funds.
In order to be allowed entry into the UK you will be required to present your passport or national identity card. When you are arriving at major airports, you are required to use the separate channel labelled 'EEA/EU' whenever it is available.
Indefinite Leave to Remain
An application for Indefinite Leave to Remain can be made by any who has held an EEA Registration Certificate or an EEA Residence Card, after five years of residence in the UK.
