UK nationals living in EU countries have echoed concerns around the Government's proposal to end freedom of movement immediately if there is a no-deal Brexit. According to a blog post by the Home Office, the Foreign Office was working with countries across Europe to ensure UK nationals residing there would be informed about any changes they would need to make ahead of Brexit.
About 1.3m UK-born people are residents in the EU27, while the UK hosts about 3.2m EU27 nationals.
The European Commission, in its contingency plan for no-deal Brexit, urges the EU27 to "take a generous approach to the rights of UK citizens in the EU, provided that this approach is reciprocated by the UK.”
UK advert for post-Brexit EU citizen scheme ruled misleading
In the meantime a radio ad that said EU citizens living in Britain only needed a passport or ID card to apply online for settled status after Brexit was misleading, according to a ruling by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
The Home Office (interior ministry) responded to the complaint by saying that the ad was part of a wider campaign to promote awareness of the scheme, and it was not possible to include all aspects of the application process in a short ad.
It said 73% of applicants did not have to submit any documents as evidence of their residence because in most cases evidence of residence was automatically generated using the applicant’s National Insurance number.
The Home Office launched a marketing campaign to encourage EU citizens to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme in March.
