Any citizen of an EU country taking up residence in the United Kingdom in accordance with EU treaty rights is entitled to bring their family with them to the UK. Applying for an EEA residence permit visa for the UK entitles EEA nationals and their dependants to the right of residence.

People who are married to, or in a civil partnership with an EU Citizen are eligible to apply for an EEA Family Permit. Unmarried partners, fiancés, and fiancées also have entitlements.

If you are a citizen of Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia, and you intend to work in the United Kingdom, we may be able to register you for the Worker Registration Scheme if you start a new job in the UK.

EEA & Swiss Nationals

The countries of the EEA are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Old EEA Countries and Switzerland

Working Nationals of the 'old EEA' (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden) and Switzerland are automatically able to work in the UK without restriction.

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. Although they are not a legal requirement, they 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.

A8 Countries

If you are a national of an 'A8' country (Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia or Slovenia), and wish to work in the UK you need to register on the Worker Registration Scheme. You must apply within your first month of employment. Once you have been working legally in the UK for 12 months you no longer need to register and can obtain an EEA Residence Permit confirming your status.

A2 Countries

If you are a national of an 'A2' country (Romania and Bulgaria) and you wish to work or study, you must apply for permission, and be issued with a Registration Certificate or Accession Worker Card before you commence either your work or studies.

Non-EEA Family Dependants

Certain non-EEA family members of these nationals are able to work in the UK, but they usually need to apply for a Residence Permit confirming their right to live and work in the UK.

If your spouse, civil partner or dependant children are non-EEA/Swiss nationals they will normally be required to apply for an EEA Family Permit before they travel to join you in the UK.

Dependants of 'A8' nationals may apply for a Family Member Residence Stamp.

Non-EEA family members of 'A2' countries can apply for their Residence Card.

EC Association Agreement

This visa category is for nationals of a Country with the relevant EC (European Community) Association Agreement (Bulgaria and Romania) wishing to come to the UK to start a business. The business can be of any size and may even employ just yourself. You may start any type of business, but you must work full time in the running of the business, and must not do work that is not related to your business in the UK. It is very difficult coming under this visa category.

ECAA Agreement

This category is based on the European Union's agreement with Turkey (the 'ECAA Agreement' commonly known as the 'Ankara agreement'). This was made in 1973 and allows Turkish nationals to set-up and run a business or businesses in the UK.

If you would like further information and personal advice on immigration & nationality for Europeans and their families, please contact us now.

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