From settled status to citizenship

Settled Status and Citizenship: The Basics

EU settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme is legally equivalent to indefinite leave to remain. This means you follow the same path to citizenship as anyone with ILR. For a broader overview, see our citizenship after ILR guide.

Citizenship is optional. Settled status already gives you the right to live and work in the UK permanently. However, citizenship provides a British passport, voting rights in all elections, and protection against losing your status through long absences abroad. Our citizenship vs ILR comparison covers this in detail.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for British citizenship by naturalisation after settled status, you must meet all of the following:

• Age: 18 or over (children apply through registration).
• Settled status held: You must have settled status at the time of application.
• Residency (standard route): 5 years' continuous residence in the UK, with no more than 450 days absent during the 5-year period and no more than 90 days absent in the final 12 months.
• Residency (spouse route): 3 years' continuous residence with no more than 270 days absent and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months.
• Settled status holding period: On the standard route, you must have held settled status for at least 12 months. The spouse route has no minimum.
• Good character: No serious criminal convictions, tax fraud, or immigration offences. See our good character guide.
• English language: B1 level in speaking and listening, proved by a recognised test or qualification. See our English for citizenship guide.
• Life in the UK test: Passed before the application date. See our Life in the UK test guide.

Counting Your Absences

Absence calculations are one of the trickiest parts of citizenship applications for EU nationals who may have travelled frequently before Brexit.

Use the citizenship absence rules guide to understand how days are counted. Key points:

• The day you leave and the day you return both count as days in the UK.
• The qualifying period is calculated backwards from your application date.
• You must have been physically in the UK on the date exactly 5 (or 3) years before your application.
• COVID-related absences between 24 January 2020 and 31 December 2021 may be disregarded at the Home Office's discretion.

If your absences are slightly over the limit, you may be able to apply using the Home Office's discretion. See our discretion for absences guide.

The Application Process

The citizenship application is completed online on the GOV.UK website.

1. Complete Form AN: Provide personal details, residency history, employment details, and referee information. See our Form AN guide.
2. Pay the fee: £1,709 application fee plus £130 citizenship ceremony fee, £1,839 in total.
3. Attend a biometrics appointment: Provide fingerprints and a photograph at a UKVCAS service point.
4. Submit supporting documents: Including proof of settled status, English language evidence, Life in the UK test pass, and referee declarations.
5. Wait for a decision: Processing takes approximately 6 months.
6. Attend the citizenship ceremony: Book within 3 months of the invitation. See our ceremony guide.

Documents You Need

For a complete list, see our citizenship documents checklist. Key documents for EUSS applicants include:

• Valid passport or national identity card.
• Proof of settled status (your UKVI online status page or share code).
• Life in the UK test pass notification letter.
• English language test certificate (if applicable).
• Two referees who meet the Home Office requirements.
• Travel history for the qualifying period.

Dual Citizenship

The UK permits dual citizenship. You do not need to renounce your EU nationality when becoming British. This is particularly advantageous for EU nationals as it allows you to retain your right to live and work across the EU.

However, some EU countries do not allow dual citizenship or may require you to renounce if you voluntarily acquire another nationality. Countries with restrictions include the Netherlands (with exceptions), Austria, and Lithuania. Always check the rules of your home country before applying.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying too early: On the standard route, ensure 12 months have passed since your settled status was granted.
• Miscounting absences: Use the residence calculator to check the published requirements.
• Forgetting the 90-day rule: Even if your total absences are within 450 days, exceeding 90 days in the final year will make you ineligible.
• Not checking referee requirements: Your two referees must meet specific criteria. See our referees guide.

Questions and answers