Can I apply for British citizenship with EU settled status?

Yes. EU settled status counts as indefinite leave to remain for citizenship purposes. You can apply for naturalisation 12 months after receiving settled status, provided you meet the residence, good character, and language requirements.

Do I need to give up my EU citizenship to become British?

No. The UK allows dual citizenship. Becoming British does not require you to renounce your EU nationality. Whether your EU country allows dual citizenship is a separate question — check with your country's embassy.

Does pre-settled status count toward citizenship?

Pre-settled status does not count as ILR, so you cannot apply for citizenship directly from pre-settled status. You must first upgrade to settled status (which requires 5 years continuous residence), then wait 12 months before applying for citizenship.

How long does the citizenship application take for EUSS holders?

Processing times are typically 6-12 months, the same as for other citizenship applications. You can check current processing times on GOV.UK.

British Citizenship After EU Settlement Scheme: Complete Guide

EU settled status holders can apply for British citizenship by naturalisation after holding settled status for 12 months. The process is largely the same as for other ILR holders. Dual citizenship is permitted by the UK. This guide covers every step for EUSS holders.

EU Settled Status and Citizenship

The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) granted settled status (equivalent to ILR) to EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals living in the UK before 31 December 2020. If you hold settled status, you are on the same footing as anyone with ILR when it comes to applying for British citizenship.

Pre-settled status is not the same as ILR. If you hold pre-settled status, you must first obtain settled status before you can apply for citizenship.

Requirements for Naturalisation

To apply for British citizenship as an EUSS settled status holder, you must:

Have held settled status for at least 12 months
Have been resident in the UK for the 5 years before your application
Not have been absent for more than 450 days in those 5 years
Not have been absent for more than 90 days in the final 12 months
Pass the Life in the UK test
Meet the English language requirement (B1 level or above)
Meet the good character requirement

If you are married to a British citizen, the residence requirement is reduced to 3 years. See our guide on citizenship for spouses.

Dual Citizenship

The UK permits dual citizenship. Becoming British does not require you to renounce your existing nationality. However, some EU countries do not allow dual citizenship or have restrictions:

Countries that generally allow dual citizenship: France, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Poland, Romania
Countries with restrictions: Germany (exceptions exist), Netherlands (exceptions exist), Austria, Spain (complex rules)

Check with your country's embassy in the UK before applying. Losing your EU nationality would mean losing your EU free movement rights, which may be important to you.

The Application Process

The citizenship application process for EUSS holders is the same as for other applicants:

Use the online application on GOV.UK
Pay the application fee (currently £1,344)
Provide your identity documents, settled status details, and evidence of residence
Attend a biometrics appointment
Wait for a decision (typically 6-12 months)
Attend a citizenship ceremony

For details on documents needed, see our citizenship documents checklist.

Benefits of Citizenship vs Settled Status

You may wonder whether citizenship is worth it when you already have settled status. Key differences:

Voting: British citizens can vote in all UK elections. EUSS holders can vote in local but not general elections.
Passport: A British passport gives you visa-free access to many countries.
Deportation: British citizens cannot be deported. Settled status holders can be deported in certain circumstances.
Passing citizenship to children: British citizens can pass citizenship to children born abroad.
Absence rules: Settled status can be lost after 2 years of continuous absence. Citizenship cannot be lost through absence.

For a full comparison, see our citizenship vs ILR guide.

Next Steps

If you hold settled status and have been in the UK for at least 6 years (5 years for settled status + 1 year holding it), you are likely eligible for citizenship. Check the eligibility checker, prepare your documents, and apply online.

Related guides: