citizen → EUSS pre-settled status → EUSS settled status → British citizenship
However, not every person follows exactly this route.
Some EU citizens may have:
- Indefinite leave to remain;
- Settled status under the EUSS;
- Pre-settled status;
- A family visa;
- Another form of immigration permission;
- Permanent residence rights from the previous EEA system; or
- British citizenship already, depending on their personal circumstances.
The important point is that having an EU passport by itself does not normally give someone a special shortcut to British citizenship.
For most adults, naturalisation is the main route.
The Home Office confirms that a person with settled status can normally apply for citizenship after having lived in the UK for five years and having held settled status for 12 months. The 12-month waiting period does not normally apply where the applicant is married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen.
British citizenship for EU citizens after Brexit
Brexit created an important distinction between living in the UK and becoming British.
Before Brexit, EU free movement rules generally allowed qualifying EU citizens to live, work and study in the UK without applying for a UK visa.
That system no longer applies to most EU citizens who move to the UK after the end of the transition period.
The EU Settlement Scheme was created to protect the residence rights of eligible EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members who were resident in the UK by the end of the transition period.
The Home Office continues to operate the EUSS in 2026. Official Home Office information states that the scheme had provided immigration status to more than 5.8 million EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens and eligible family members by the end of 2025.
For an eligible EU citizen, the EUSS can therefore be the foundation for a later citizenship application.
But there is an important distinction:
Settled status is not British citizenship.
Settled status gives you indefinite immigration permission under the EUSS. British citizenship gives you British nationality.
Can EU citizens get British citizenship in 2026?
Yes.
An EU citizen can become a British citizen if they satisfy the requirements for naturalisation or another applicable nationality route.
For the standard naturalisation route, an adult will normally need to:
- Have lived in the UK for at least five years;
- Hold settled status, ILR or another qualifying form of indefinite status;
- Normally have held that settled/indefinite status for at least 12 months;
- Meet the residence and absence requirements;
- Have been physically present in the UK at the beginning of the qualifying period;
- Meet the English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic language requirement;
- Pass the Life in the UK Test;
- Satisfy the good character requirement; and
- Intend to continue living in the UK in the circumstances where that requirement applies.
The Home Office also states that naturalisation is not an automatic entitlement. It is a legal decision made under the British Nationality Act 1981.
That is why reaching five years in the UK does not automatically make someone British.
Step 1: Check whether you have settled status
For many EU citizens, this is the first major checkpoint.
If you have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you have indefinite leave under the EUSS.
You can normally use settled status as the immigration-status requirement for a later citizenship application.
The standard rule is that you usually need to have held settled status for 12 months before applying for British citizenship.
For example:
Example 1
Maria, an Italian citizen, has lived continuously in Manchester since 2018.
She received settled status in September 2025.
Assuming she meets all the other naturalisation requirements, she would normally be looking at September 2026 as the earliest point to apply.
Example 2
Carlos, a Spanish citizen, received settled status in March 2026.
His five-year residence requirement may already be satisfied, but the normal 12-month settled-status period means he would generally wait until March 2027 before applying.
This distinction is important because people sometimes assume that five years of residence automatically means they can immediately apply for citizenship.
It does not.
What if you still have pre-settled status?
This is one of the most important issues for EU citizens in 2026.
Having pre-settled status does not necessarily mean you must wait indefinitely for an application to be converted before planning your citizenship route.
The Home Office has introduced an automated process for converting eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status where its records indicate that the person has completed the required period of residence.
The Home Office can use information such as National Insurance, HMRC and certain Department for Work and Pensions records when assessing whether someone has completed the necessary continuous residence.
Eligible people can also apply for settled status themselves rather than waiting for an automatic conversion.
The practical lesson is straightforward:
Do not simply ignore pre-settled status because you expect the Home Office to deal with it automatically.
Check your UKVI account.
Check your status.
Check your residence history.
If you qualify for settled status, consider whether applying for it now gives you greater certainty and makes your future citizenship planning easier.
Can you apply for British citizenship with pre-settled status?
In some circumstances, yes.
This is more complicated than the settled-status route.
The official citizenship guidance states that certain EU, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein citizens, and qualifying family members, may be able to apply for citizenship while holding pre-settled status if they can demonstrate the required five-year residence and other conditions.
For example, the person may need to show that they:
- Started living in the UK by 31 December 2020;
- Have pre-settled status;
- Have lived in the UK for five years in a row; and
- During that period were working, looking for work for up to three months, studying or self-sufficient.
The rules are technical, so pre-settled status holders should not assume that simply having five years of residence automatically makes them eligible for naturalisation.
The Home Office specifically recognises this category in its citizenship guidance.
Step 2: Check the five-year residence requirement
For the standard naturalisation route, you generally need to have lived in the UK for five years before the date of your application.
But this is not simply a question of counting calendar years.
The Home Office looks at your physical presence and absences.
Normally, you should not have:
- Spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the five-year period; or
- Spent more than 90 days outside the UK during the final 12 months.
You also normally need to have been physically present in the UK exactly five years before the Home Office receives your application.
That last point is easy to overlook.
Why the exact application date matters
Suppose you intend to submit your application on:
1 October 2026
The Home Office will normally expect you to have been physically present in the UK on:
1 October 2021
If you were outside the UK on that exact date, your application could face a problem.
This is why citizenship planning should not begin on the day you complete the online form.
You should check your residence history before choosing your application date.
Practical planning
Before applying:
- Choose a potential application date.
- Look exactly five years backwards.
- Check whether you were physically in the UK on that date.
- Calculate your total absences.
- Calculate your absences during the final 12 months.
- Identify any unusual periods abroad.
- Keep evidence explaining any exceptional circumstances.
The Home Office says applicants should provide information about time spent outside the UK and can use personal records such as emails and boarding passes. The Home Office may also check its own records and correct gaps.
The 450-day absence rule
For the standard five-year naturalisation route, the general limit is:
No more than 450 days outside the UK during the five-year qualifying period.
This does not mean every application exceeding 450 days will automatically fail in every circumstance.
The Home Office has discretion in certain situations.
However, relying on discretion is very different from meeting the standard rule.
If you are close to the limit, careful planning matters.
For example:
Applicant A
Total absence: 120 days
Final 12 months: 40 days
This is comfortably within the standard limits.
Applicant B
Total absence: 470 days
Final 12 months: 50 days
The overall absence exceeds the standard 450-day figure. The applicant should not assume that the application will automatically be accepted.
Applicant C
Total absence: 430 days
Final 12 months: 110 days
The five-year total is within the general limit, but the final-year absence is above 90 days.
Again, the application needs careful assessment.
What if you are married to a British citizen?
There is a separate naturalisation route for people who are married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen.
This can significantly change the timeline.
You normally need to have lived in the UK for three years, rather than five.
You also do not normally have to wait 12 months after obtaining settled status or ILR.
The Home Office states that applicants under this route can apply once they have the required settled or indefinite status.
The absence limits are also different:
- no more than 270 days outside the UK during the three-year period; and
- normally no more than 90 days outside the UK during the final 12 months.
You also need to have been physically present in the UK exactly three years before the Home Office receives the application.
Why this matters for EU citizens
An EU citizen who married a British citizen after moving to the UK should not automatically assume that the standard five-year route is their only option.
The three-year spouse/civil-partner route may be available if the legal requirements are met.
Step 3: Pass the Life in the UK Test
Having settled status does not mean you automatically pass the Life in the UK requirement.
For naturalisation, most applicants must pass the Life in the UK Test.
The official test:
- Has 24 questions;
- Lasts 45 minutes;
- Requires a score of at least 75% to pass; and
- Currently costs £50.
You must book the test through the official government service.
The test covers information contained in the official Guide for New Residents.
Planning tip
Do not leave this until the week before your citizenship application.
Book the test early.
Keep your pass reference.
Make sure the name on your test booking matches your identity document.
If you fail, you can book another test, but you will have to pay again.
Do EU citizens need to prove English?
Usually, yes.
An EU citizen applying for British citizenship generally needs to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic unless an exemption applies.
The current naturalisation guidance explains that the language requirement is separate from the Life in the UK requirement.
For English, an applicant can generally qualify through:
- An approved Secure English Language Test at the required level;
- Certain UK academic qualifications taught in English;
- Qualifying overseas degrees with the required evidence; or
- Nationality from a country recognised as majority English-speaking for naturalisation purposes.
The current naturalisation guidance identifies B1 CEFR or higher as the relevant level for an approved English test for naturalisation.
This is particularly important for EU citizens who may have obtained settled status without previously having to demonstrate English.
The Home Office specifically notes that people granted settled status under the EUSS did not necessarily have to meet the Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK requirements when obtaining settlement. They must meet those requirements when applying to naturalise unless exempt.
Do EU citizens have to take an English test if they studied in English?
Not necessarily.
There are alternative ways to prove language ability.
For example, a qualifying degree taught in English may be acceptable.
The exact evidence depends on where the qualification was obtained and how it was taught.
The Home Office guidance explains that qualifying UK degrees can be used and that overseas degrees may require additional evidence, including Ecctis assessments in relevant circumstances.
Before booking a new test, check whether your existing qualification already satisfies the requirement.
This can save both time and money.
Who is exempt from the English and Life in the UK requirements?
There are limited exemptions.
For example, applicants aged 65 or over are exempt from the knowledge of language and Life in the UK requirements.
There can also be exemptions for certain long-term physical or mental conditions that prevent the applicant from meeting the requirements.
Medical exemptions require appropriate evidence and are not automatic simply because someone has a temporary illness or difficulty.
Step 4: Meet the good character requirement
This part is often underestimated.
British citizenship is not simply a points-based immigration application.
The Home Office assesses whether an applicant is of good character.
The current Home Office good-character guidance explains that each application is assessed individually and that the decision is made on the balance of probabilities.
Issues that can matter include circumstances such as:
- Criminal convictions;
- Deception;
- Immigration breaches;
- Illegal entry;
- Fraud;
- Serious financial or regulatory misconduct;
- Deportation or exclusion issues; and
- Other conduct relevant to the applicant’s character.
The exact effect depends on the facts, the type of conduct, dates, sentence and other circumstances.
Do not assume that an old matter is automatically irrelevant.
Equally, do not assume that every historic immigration issue will automatically prevent citizenship.
The Home Office guidance contains specific rules and discretion around different circumstances.
EU citizens and old EEA residence issues
This is a particularly important area for long-term EU residents.
Before Brexit, EU citizens relied on European free movement law.
Some people may remember concepts such as:
- Treaty rights;
- Permanent residence;
- Worker status;
- Self-sufficiency;
- Student status;
- Comprehensive sickness insurance.
The law has changed.
Current naturalisation guidance recognises the position of EEA nationals and explains how lawful residence issues from the earlier EEA framework may be considered.
The Nationality and Borders Act 2022 also changed how lawful residence can be demonstrated for naturalisation.
For many applicants who now hold indefinite leave or settled status, demonstrating historic lawful residence is easier than under the older system.
However, complicated historic cases should still be reviewed carefully.
Step 5: Intention to continue living in the UK
For the standard naturalisation route, you generally need to intend to continue living in the UK.
This makes sense.
Citizenship is not simply an immigration document. It is a nationality status.
If your plan is to move permanently overseas immediately after naturalisation, you should consider whether you satisfy the future-intention requirement.
The requirement does not apply in exactly the same way to people naturalising as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.
How much does British citizenship cost for EU citizens?
As of October 2026, the adult naturalisation application fee is:
£1,709 application fee + £130 citizenship ceremony fee = £1,839 total.
The Home Office’s fee table confirms that the naturalisation fee remains £1,709 from 8 October 2026, with the £130 ceremony fee remaining unchanged.
You should also budget for other costs where applicable, such as:
- Life in the UK Test: £50;
- English-language test, if required;
- Ecctis assessment, where required;
- Document translation, where required;
- Professional legal advice, if you choose to obtain it.
Biometric enrolment itself does not have a separate fee within the standard citizenship application process.
British citizenship application process for EU citizens
Once you are confident that you meet the requirements, the process generally follows these stages.
1. Check eligibility
Review:
- Immigration status;
- Residence;
- Absences;
- Application date;
- English;
- Life in the UK;
- Good character;
- Future intention;
- Nationality and dual citizenship consequences.
2. Gather documents
Your evidence may include:
- Current passport;
- Evidence of settled status;
- UKVI account information;
- Residence and absence information;
- Life in the UK reference;
- English-language evidence;
- Marriage/civil partnership documents if applying under the spouse route;
- Identity documents;
- Referee information;
- Evidence relevant to special circumstances.
3. Complete the naturalisation application
Most applicants can apply online.
The Home Office states that applicants can upload documents through the online service or have documents scanned at their biometric appointment.
4. Provide biometrics
You will be instructed how to enrol your fingerprints and photograph.
5. Wait for the decision
The Home Office says citizenship applications are usually decided within six months, although some applications can take longer.
6. Attend the citizenship ceremony
If your application is successful, adults normally need to attend a citizenship ceremony.
At the ceremony you make the required oath or affirmation and pledge and receive your certificate of naturalisation.
The ceremony normally needs to take place within three months of the invitation.
What happens after British citizenship is granted?
Once you become a British citizen, your immigration status changes fundamentally.
You are no longer relying on settled status as your immigration permission.
You can then apply for a British passport if you wish.
Your citizenship certificate itself is not a travel document.
The Home Office confirms that after becoming British, you should use a British passport or, where appropriate, a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode for travel to the UK.
Can EU citizens keep their original nationality?
This is one of the biggest practical questions.
The UK allows dual citizenship.
Therefore, from the UK perspective, you can generally become British while retaining another nationality.
But there is a major warning:
Your EU country may have its own rules.
Some countries allow dual nationality freely.
Others restrict it or impose conditions.
The Home Office specifically advises applicants to check the law of their existing nationality before applying.
So an EU citizen should not ask only:
“Will the UK allow me to keep my EU citizenship?”
The better question is:
“Will my original country allow me to retain its citizenship after I become British?”
That answer depends on the law of the country concerned.
Examples of dual-nationality planning
Consider an EU citizen who is currently:
Italian + British applicant
Before applying, they should check Italian nationality rules.
Another applicant may be:
German + British applicant
They should check the current German nationality position before submitting the British application.
The same principle applies to citizens of France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and other countries.
The UK decision is only one side of the equation.
What are the benefits of British citizenship for EU citizens?
British citizenship can offer several practical advantages.
1. A stronger long-term status
Citizenship is not dependent on maintaining an immigration permission such as settled status.
2. British passport eligibility
After becoming British, you can apply for a British passport.
3. Greater freedom from immigration restrictions
You are no longer subject to the same immigration-status requirements that apply to settled-status holders.
4. Voting and civic rights
British citizenship can provide additional political and civic rights, subject to the relevant electoral rules.
5. Easier long-term family planning
British citizenship can provide a more secure foundation for future family and residence planning.
6. Protection against certain immigration-status problems
A citizen does not normally face the same risk of losing immigration permission through prolonged absence as a person relying on settled status.
That does not mean citizenship is the right decision for everyone.
Dual nationality implications should be considered first.
Settled status versus British citizenship
It is useful to look at the difference clearly.
| Issue | Settled Status | British Citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration permission | Yes | Not required |
| Permanent right to live in UK | Yes, subject to status rules | Yes as a citizen |
| British nationality | No | Yes |
| British passport | No | Eligible to apply |
| Life in the UK test | Not necessarily required for EUSS settlement | Usually required |
| English requirement | Not necessarily required for EUSS settlement | Usually required |
| 12-month wait before citizenship | N/A | Usually required after settled status |
| Can status lapse after long absence? | Yes | Citizenship does not lapse simply because of ordinary absence |
| Dual nationality | Depends on original country | UK allows it |
The difference is therefore substantial.
How long can an EU citizen stay outside the UK with settled status?
This is another issue that matters when planning citizenship.
Settled status under the EUSS generally lapses after more than five consecutive years outside the UK, although Swiss citizens and their family members generally have a four-year limit.
This is different from the ordinary ILR two-year rule.
The Home Office confirms the special EUSS absence periods.
But there is another issue:
Keeping settled status is not the same as meeting the citizenship residence requirements.
You might retain settled status while spending substantial time abroad, but that does not automatically mean you will satisfy the five-year naturalisation residence rules.
This distinction is extremely important.
Do not confuse the EUSS absence rule with the citizenship absence rule
Imagine an EU citizen has settled status and spends four years outside the UK.
They may still potentially retain their EUSS status, depending on their circumstances.
But if they want British citizenship, they need to consider whether their residence history meets the naturalisation requirements.
Citizenship normally requires:
- Five years of residence;
- No more than 450 days outside the UK during that period;
- No more than 90 days outside the UK during the final 12 months; and
- Physical presence in the UK at the beginning of the qualifying period.
Therefore:
Maintaining settled status does not automatically mean you qualify for British citizenship.
What if an EU citizen has lost settled status?
If an EU citizen with settled status has remained outside the relevant area for longer than the permitted period, the status may lapse.
The rules currently provide for a five-year continuous absence period for most settled-status holders and four years for Swiss citizens and their family members.
If settled status has lapsed, the person may need to consider a Returning Resident route or another applicable immigration route to return and settle in the UK.
This is why people living internationally should review their UK status before assuming they can simply return years later and apply for citizenship.
What if I applied for EUSS late?
The main EUSS deadline for most applicants was 30 June 2021.
However, late applications remain possible in qualifying circumstances.
The Home Office confirms that people can still apply where:
- Their deadline was later than 30 June 2021; or
- They have reasonable grounds for missing the deadline.
The applicant normally needs evidence explaining the delay.
This matters for EU citizens who lived in the UK but never completed an EUSS application.
If you are in that position, do not assume that Brexit automatically means the opportunity is gone.
Your eligibility and the reason for the late application need to be assessed carefully.
Can an EU citizen born in the UK automatically become British?
Not necessarily.
Being born in the UK does not automatically make every person British.
British citizenship at birth depends on factors including:
- Date of birth;
- Parents’ nationality;
- Parents’ immigration status; and
- The nationality rules in force at the time.
The official government guidance specifically warns that being born in the UK does not automatically mean someone is a British citizen.
If an EU citizen was born in the UK, it is therefore worth checking whether they already have British citizenship before submitting a naturalisation application.
What about children of EU citizens?
Children can have different nationality routes from their parents.
For example, a child may:
- Already be British;
- Be eligible for registration;
- Have EUSS status;
- Have been born in the UK while a parent had qualifying status;
- Qualify through a British parent; or
- Need a separate registration application.
Do not assume that the adult naturalisation process applies identically to a child.
Children under 18 normally use registration routes rather than adult naturalisation.
The correct route depends heavily on the child’s date of birth and the parents’ status at the relevant time.
Planning your British citizenship application
A good application starts months before the online form.
Here is a practical planning framework.
Six to twelve months before applying
Check:
- When you obtained settled status;
- Whether you meet the five-year residence requirement;
- Whether the spouse route applies;
- Your total absences;
- Your final 12-month absences;
- Your exact physical presence date;
- English-language evidence;
- Life in the UK test;
- Dual nationality consequences.
Three to six months before applying
Organise:
- Passport;
- UKVI account;
- Travel history;
- Residence evidence;
- Life in the UK test;
- English evidence;
- Marriage documents if relevant;
- Referee details.
Before submitting
Perform a final audit.
Ask:
Am I applying on the correct date?
Was I physically in the UK at the beginning of the qualifying period?
Are my absences within the normal limits?
Do I have settled status or another qualifying immigration status?
Have I held it for the required period?
Have I passed the Life in the UK Test?
Can I prove the language requirement?
Have I disclosed relevant character issues?
Have I checked whether my existing nationality permits dual citizenship?
This final check can prevent avoidable problems.
Common mistakes EU citizens make
Mistake 1: Assuming five years in the UK means automatic citizenship
It does not.
Residence is only one part of the naturalisation requirements.
Mistake 2: Confusing settled status with citizenship
Settled status is immigration permission.
Citizenship is nationality.
Mistake 3: Ignoring the 12-month rule
Most applicants with settled status need to hold it for 12 months before naturalisation.
Mistake 4: Forgetting the exact presence date
Being absent on the first day of the qualifying period can create a problem.
Mistake 5: Ignoring travel history
Frequent business travel, working overseas and long holidays can push absences above the normal limits.
Mistake 6: Assuming EUSS settlement included the Life in the UK test
It did not necessarily.
A person who obtained EUSS settled status may still need to pass the Life in the UK Test before naturalisation.
Mistake 7: Assuming the UK allows every EU country to retain dual nationality
The UK allows dual nationality, but the other country may have different rules.
Mistake 8: Applying before checking the application date
The application date can affect both the five-year qualifying period and the physical-presence requirement.
2026 updates EU citizens should know
The immigration and nationality landscape continues to evolve.
One important development is the continued automation of the EUSS process.
The Home Office introduced automated conversion from eligible pre-settled status to settled status and continues to use government records to identify people who may qualify.
This is designed to reduce the administrative burden for people who have already built five years of residence in the UK.
For EU citizens, this means checking your UKVI account and keeping your personal information up to date remains important.
If your passport or identity document changes, update the relevant UKVI records.
What EU citizens should plan for in the future
The biggest practical lesson is that citizenship should be treated as a planned process, not a last-minute application.
If you currently hold pre-settled status, your immediate objective may be settled status.
If you already have settled status, your next objective may be naturalisation.
If you are approaching the 12-month settled-status point, now is the time to calculate your absences.
If you are close to the 450-day limit, application timing becomes even more important.
If you travel frequently for work, maintain an accurate travel record.
If you have dual nationality, check the laws of your original country before applying.
And if there are historic immigration, criminal, tax, residence or identity issues, deal with them before submitting an application rather than hoping they will not be noticed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can EU citizens apply for British citizenship in 2026?
Yes. Eligible EU citizens can apply for British citizenship through naturalisation if they satisfy the relevant requirements. For many applicants, this means five years of UK residence and usually 12 months with settled status or another qualifying indefinite status.
Do I need settled status before applying for British citizenship?
For the standard EUSS route, settled status is normally the relevant indefinite immigration status. Some people with pre-settled status may qualify under specific circumstances, so the answer is not identical for every EU citizen.
How long after settled status can I apply for British citizenship?
Usually after holding settled status for 12 months. The main exception is where you are applying as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.
Can I apply immediately after receiving settled status?
Usually not if you are applying under the standard route. You generally need to have held settled status for 12 months unless you qualify under the British spouse/civil-partner route or another applicable exception.
How many years do I need to live in the UK?
The standard naturalisation route normally requires five years of UK residence. A spouse or civil partner of a British citizen normally uses a three-year qualifying period.
How many days can I be outside the UK?
For the standard five-year route, the normal limits are no more than 450 days outside the UK during the five years and no more than 90 days during the final 12 months.
Do EU citizens need to pass the Life in the UK Test?
Usually yes, unless an exemption applies. Settled status under the EUSS did not necessarily require the Life in the UK Test, but naturalisation generally does.
Do EU citizens need an English test?
Many do. The current naturalisation guidance generally requires sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic unless an exemption or another accepted form of evidence applies. A qualifying B1 or higher English qualification can satisfy the language requirement.
Can I keep my EU citizenship after becoming British?
The UK allows dual citizenship. However, your existing EU country may have its own nationality rules. You should check with the relevant country’s authorities before applying.
How much does British citizenship cost?
The adult naturalisation application fee is £1,709 and the citizenship ceremony fee is £130, giving a total of £1,839. The Life in the UK Test costs £50.
How long does a citizenship application take?
The Home Office says applications are usually decided within six months, although some cases can take longer.
Can I travel while my citizenship application is pending?
You must continue to have valid permission to stay in the UK until you become a British citizen and attend your citizenship ceremony. Settled status generally provides that permission, but you should ensure your immigration status and travel documents remain valid while the application is pending.
Can I apply if I still have pre-settled status?
Certain EU, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein citizens and qualifying family members may be able to apply if they satisfy the specific residence and other requirements. However, this is more complicated than the standard settled-status route and should be assessed carefully.
What happens after I become British?
You attend a citizenship ceremony, receive your naturalisation certificate and can then apply for a British passport if you wish. Your naturalisation certificate itself cannot be used as a travel document.
Final planning checklist for EU citizens
Before submitting your British citizenship application, make sure you can answer yes to the following:
- I know which citizenship route I am using.
- I have settled status or another qualifying indefinite immigration status.
- I have held it for the required period.
- I have completed the required UK residence period.
- I have checked my total absences.
- I have checked my absences during the final 12 months.
- I was physically present in the UK on the required qualifying date.
- I have passed the Life in the UK Test.
- I have evidence of the English-language requirement.
- I have checked my good-character position.
- I have prepared two suitable referees.
- I have checked my passport and UKVI information.
- I understand the application fee.
- I have checked the dual-nationality rules of my existing country.
- I have reviewed my application before submitting it.
Conclusion: Getting British citizenship for EU citizens
Getting British citizenship for EU citizens is entirely possible, but it is not an automatic consequence of living in Britain for five years or holding an EU passport.
For many people, the journey begins with the EU Settlement Scheme.
The next stage is settled status.
After that, the standard route generally requires another 12 months before naturalisation, unless an exception applies, such as being married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen.
The most important part is planning.
Check your residence history. Count your absences. Check the exact date you were physically present in the UK five years before applying. Complete the Life in the UK Test. Make sure your English evidence is acceptable. Review your character history. And, if you want to keep your EU nationality, check the nationality law of your home country before submitting the application.
For an EU citizen who has spent years building a life in the UK, British citizenship can provide a more permanent connection with the country.
But the strongest applications are not rushed.
They are planned carefully, supported by the right evidence and submitted only after every requirement has been checked.
Leave feedback about this