British Citizenship for EU Citizens

EU nationals may become eligible for British citizenship 12 months after acquiring settled status in the UK or immediately if married to a British citizen. Having settled status, granted under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), is the first step. This post discusses how EU citizens can apply for British Citizenship, including the requirements, process and fees. 

Be Aged 18 or Over When You Apply 

Applicants for naturalisation (i.e. the process of becoming a citizen) in the UK must be at least 18 years of age.

Children under the age of 18 may apply to register as British citizens either on their own or jointly with their adult family members. However, children must meet different criteria as per the British Nationality Act 1981, mainly depending on where they were born and their parent’s immigration status. Children may also have an automatic entitlement to British citizenship.

Naturalisation applicants must ensure that they meet the specific requirements, including having lived lawfully in the UK for a minimum period.

Be Free from Immigration Time Restrictions

At the time of applying, applicants must be free from Immigration time restrictions for at least 12 months (unless the spouse or civil partner of a British Citizen), i.e. have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

Settled status otherwise known as Indefinite Leave to Remain, is granted to nationals of the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, who have resided in the UK continuously for five years. Settled status is proof of your right to live in the UK permanently and acts as evidence of freedom from immigration time restrictions.

If you have pre-settled status, you can apply to switch to settled status as soon as you have had 5 years of continuous residence, regardless of when you were granted pre-settled status.

You can no longer apply for citizenship based on permanent residence status acquired under the EEA Regulations before 1 July 2021. You will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme before submitting a naturalisation application.

If you are not married to or the civil partner of a British citizen, you should have been free from immigration time restrictions for 12 months before applying for citizenship. This means that you may need to wait until you have been in the UK for at least 6 years before you apply.

If you are married to or the civil partner of a British citizen, you may apply for British citizenship by marriage upon acquiring settled status.

To discuss your British Citizenship application with an experienced Immigration adviser, contact our professional team on 0208 757 5751 or use our contact form.

Satisfy the Residency Requirements

Applicant must have lived in the UK lawfully for the required period of 5 years, or 3 years if the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen, without excess absences.

To qualify for British citizenship under Section 6(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981, you must meet the following residency criteria:

• You must have lived in the UK for at least five years before your application
• You must not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK during these five years
• You must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
• You must have been present in the UK exactly five years prior to the date that you apply for citizenship

If you are married to a British citizen, the residency requirements differ, you must meet the following residence criteria under Section 6(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981:

• You must have lived in the UK for at least three years before your application.
• You must not have spent more than 270 days outside the UK during these three years.
• You must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months.
• You must have been present in the UK exactly three years prior to the date that you apply for citizenship.

You must have been in the UK exactly 5 years (or 3 years if married to a British citizen) before your application was received. For example, if your application is received on 05/01/2025 you should have been physically present in the UK on 06/01/2020. If you cannot meet this requirement, your application is likely to be refused. 

Failure to satisfy the residence requirements or insufficient evidence demonstrating your residence is a common mistake when applying for naturalisation that may lead to a refusal.

If you have been absent from the UK for extended periods, you may need to reapply for settled status, especially if you’ve been absent for more than five years if you hold settled status under the EUSS or four years if you are Swiss or the family member of a Swiss citizen.

Pass the Life in the UK test

To meet the Knowledge of Language and Life (KoLL) in the UK requirement, you must demonstrate both knowledge of language and life in the UK unless an exemption applies, as you are aged 65 and over or have a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents you from doing so.

If you have been granted settled status under the EUSS, you will not have had to meet the Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK requirements as part of your application for settlement. You will, therefore, need to ensure you meet the requirements, by taking the Life in the UK test and demonstrating your knowledge of the English language.

The Life in the UK test is a requirement under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. It consists of 24 questions covering topics such as British values, history, traditions and everyday life. The test lasts for 45 minutes, during which time the candidate is required to answer 24 multiple-choice questions. To pass the test, the candidate must receive a grade of 75% or higher, i.e. at least 18 correct answers to the 24 questions. You must pass the Life in the UK test at a UKVI-approved test centre.

Please note, if you apply without having met the requirements and you are not exempt from having to demonstrate knowledge of language and life in the UK, your application may be refused, and you may lose your fee. You will satisfy the life in the UK requirement if you have passed the Life in the UK test. 

Knowledge of the English Language Requirement

You also need to have sufficient speaking and listening knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic. This is a separate requirement from the Life in the UK requirement, and you must meet both requirements. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, you will not be required to show a formal speaking and listening qualification. 

You can satisfy the knowledge of language requirement if you have any one of the following:

• Home Office approved qualification in English at B1 CEFR or higher, from the Secure English Language Test list.
• UK degree certificate: You will not be required to show a formal speaking and listening qualification if you have a UK academic qualification which is equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD, which was taught in English. If you have a UK degree you must provide your degree certificate.
• A degree certificate that was taught or researched in a majority English-speaking country and: an Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS) from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) confirming the qualification is equivalent to a UK qualification 
• A degree certificate that was taught or researched in a non-majority English-speaking country and both of the following: an Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS) from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) confirming the qualification is equivalent to a UK qualification and an English Language Proficiency Statement (ELPS) from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) showing that your degree was taught in English
• A postgraduate diploma, or a graduate diploma from a UK university. Postgraduate diplomas are usually abbreviated as PGDip, PG Dip, PgD, PgDip. Examples would be: postgraduate diploma in legal practice, graduate diploma in law, a postgraduate diploma in education, postgraduate diploma in teaching.
• A postgraduate diploma, or graduate diploma from a university outside the UK, must have Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) confirmation showing it is comparable to a UK degree, and was taught in English. Professional diplomas from either inside or outside the UK, which do not require an undergraduate degree as an entry requirement, (such as accountancy, marketing, hotel management, cosmetic science and food hygiene) cannot be accepted.

Nationals of majority English-speaking countries are considered automatically to meet the English language component of the Knowledge of language and life in the UK requirement. You will still be required to pass the Life in the UK test to demonstrate your knowledge of life in the UK.  Nationals of the following countries are accepted as majority English speakers for naturalisation purposes:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• The British overseas territories
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland (for citizenship only)
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• The United States of America

Intend to Continue Living in the UK

You must demonstrate an intention to continue living in the UK after obtaining British citizenship. If you are applying under the 5-year route (section 6(1)), you will need to confirm that, should your naturalisation application be successful, you intend to continue living in the UK. 

Be of Good Character

Applicants for British citizenship must meet the good character requirement, which generally means not having a serious criminal record or recent immigration violations. The British Nationality Act 1981 requires that individuals seeking naturalisation as British citizens must be of good character. This entails compliance with UK laws and respect for the rights and freedoms of others.

The Home Office will conduct checks, including with other government bodies such as HM Revenue and Customs, to verify the information provided. Providing false or fraudulent information may result in the deprivation of British citizenship and potential prosecution. Making a false declaration knowingly is a criminal offence. Under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, applicants who have been granted indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK will usually satisfy this requirement. 

How Much Does It Cost to Become a British Citizen?

As of 2024, the fee for adults to apply for British citizenship is £1,630 and for £1,214 for children. The fee is non-refundable in case your application is refused.

The fee for adults includes the citizenship ceremony fee. Children who turn 18 whilst their application is under process may be required to undertake the citizenship ceremony. You will get a refund for the citizenship ceremony if your application is refused or withdrawn.

You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this.

What is the Application Process for British Citizenship with Settled Status?

The application process involves:

• Check Your Eligibility: Ensure you meet all the requirements, including settled status, residency, and UK life and language qualifications.
• Gather your documents: Your application should be supported with appropriate evidence for a successful application.
• Fill in the Online Form: Submit your application online, or by post if applying from the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or a British Overseas Territory.
• Referee Requirements: You will need two suitable referees to endorse your application.
• Submit Biometric Information: Attend a UKVCAS appointment to provide your fingerprints and photo.
• Timing Your Application: You must have been physically present in the UK exactly five years before the Home Office receives your application.

After You Apply

You will usually receive a decision within six months. The Home Office may ask for further documentation or, in some cases, request an interview. If your application is approved, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony.

Attending a Citizenship Ceremony

Once your application is approved, you must attend a citizenship ceremony to receive your naturalisation certificate. A naturalisation certificate serves as legal evidence of your status as a British citizen and confirms your rights and entitlements in the country. You can then apply for a British passport with the naturalisation certificate 

Travelling to and from the UK After Citizenship

Once you have been granted citizenship, you must use a British passport to re-enter the UK. If you do not want a British passport, you can apply for a certificate of entitlement to show your right to reside in the UK.

Citizenship for EU Children

A child born in the UK may automatically be a British citizen if at least one parent held settled status at the time of the child’s birth. If not, the child can apply for citizenship by registration after one parent becomes settled.

How we can help

For immigration advice and tailored support on your British citizenship application, contact our specialist immigration team on 0208 757 5751 or use our contact form.

Frequently asked questions