Before the UK’s departure from the European Union, European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and their family members used the EEA (PR) form to apply for a document certifying permanent residence in the UK. It provided formal recognition of a person’s right to live in the UK permanently after exercising Treaty rights, such as working, studying, or being self-sufficient, for five continuous years.
After Brexit, the UK ended its recognition of Permanent Residence status for EEA nationals. From 31 December 2020, those who previously held PR were required to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to maintain their legal right to stay in the UK. The deadline for most applications was 30 June 2021, but some late applications are still accepted.
The EEA PR Form is no longer valid, and PR documents issued under the old system cannot be used as proof of UK residency. Employers, landlords and government agencies now require proof of Settled Status or another valid immigration status.
What is the EEA PR Form?
The EEA PR Form was used by European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and their family members to apply for Permanent Residence (PR) in the UK. It served as official confirmation that an individual had acquired the right to live in the UK indefinitely under EU free movement rules.
To qualify for Permanent Residence, applicants needed to have lived in the UK for five continuous years, while exercising Treaty rights. This meant they had to be working, studying, self-employed, self-sufficient or actively seeking work. The form allowed individuals to prove their status, which was particularly important for those looking to apply for British citizenship, as holding PR was a requirement for naturalisation.
Many used the EEA PR Form to obtain legal confirmation of their residence, even though EEA nationals did not previously need a visa to live and work in the UK. Some applied for PR documents to make it easier to prove their rights to employers, landlords, or government services.
Following Brexit, Permanent Residence for EEA nationals was replaced by the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). PR documents became invalid after 31 December 2020, meaning holders had to apply for Settled Status to retain their residency rights.
The EEA PR Form is no longer in use, and employers, landlords and public bodies no longer accept PR documents as proof of status. Those who still hold an old PR document should check their current immigration status and apply for the correct status under the UK’s post-Brexit immigration rules. Individuals who fail to do so may struggle to access work, housing and services, as Permanent Residence is no longer recognised in UK law.
Is the EEA PR Form still valid?
The EEA PR Form is no longer valid in the UK. Following Brexit, the UK government introduced the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to replace the previous system of Permanent Residence (PR) for European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and their family members. From 31 December 2020, PR documents issued under EU free movement rules stopped being recognised under UK immigration law.
Holders of Permanent Residence were required to apply for Settled Status under the EUSS to maintain their residency rights. The deadline for most applications was 30 June 2021, but some late applications are still accepted in certain cases. Without Settled Status, those who previously relied on PR documents may struggle to prove their right to live, work, or access services in the UK.
Employers, landlords, and public services no longer accept Permanent Residence documents as proof of lawful status. Instead, individuals must provide evidence of Settled Status or another valid UK immigration status. The Home Office online checking system is now the standard method for verifying residency rights.
Anyone who still holds a PR document should check their status and apply for Settled Status or an alternative visa if needed. Failure to update status may lead to difficulties in securing employment, renting property, or accessing healthcare and benefits. In some cases, those who missed the EUSS deadline may still be able to apply, provided they have a reasonable explanation for the delay.
Permanent Residence under the old system is no longer recognised, and individuals should ensure they have the correct documentation to continue living in the UK without issues. Checking official UK government guidance or seeking immigration advice can help those unsure of their options.
What replaced the EEA PR Form?
The EEA PR Form was replaced by the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) following the UK’s departure from the European Union. From 31 December 2020, Permanent Residence documents issued under EU free movement rules stopped being valid, and individuals who held them were required to apply for Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status under the new system.
The EU Settlement Scheme was introduced to protect the rights of EEA, Swiss, and EU nationals living in the UK before the Brexit transition period ended. Those who had lived in the UK continuously for five years or more could apply for Settled Status, which allows them to remain indefinitely. Those who had not yet completed five years could apply for Pre-Settled Status, which grants temporary residency and can be upgraded to Settled Status once five years of residence is completed.
The deadline for most applications was 30 June 2021, though late applications may still be accepted if there is a valid reason for missing the deadline. Individuals who previously held Permanent Residence were required to switch to Settled Status, as PR documents are no longer accepted as proof of UK residency.
Anyone who has not yet switched from Permanent Residence to Settled Status should apply as soon as possible. For those who missed the deadline, it may still be possible to submit a late application, but strong reasons for the delay must be provided.
Can you still use an EEA Permanent Residence document?
An EEA Permanent Residence document is no longer valid for proving the right to live, work or access services in the UK. Since the end of EU free movement on 31 December 2020, Permanent Residence status has been replaced by Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). Those who previously held a PR document needed to apply for Settled Status before 30 June 2021 to retain their rights.
The UK government now requires individuals to demonstrate their immigration status online, in most cases using share codes, which is linked to Settled Status, Pre-Settled Status or other valid visa categories.
Anyone still holding a Permanent Residence card or document should check whether they have applied for Settled Status or another immigration route. If they have not yet switched, a late application under the EUSS may still be possible if they can provide a valid reason for missing the original deadline.
Individuals who are unsure about their status or need further guidance should refer to official UK Home Office resources or seek immigration advice to ensure they hold the correct documentation for their legal stay in the UK.
How EEA PR & British Citizenship applications
Settled Status under the EUSS is now a key requirement for EEA, Swiss, and EU nationals who wish to apply for British citizenship. Before Brexit, many used EEA Permanent Residence (PR) as proof of settled status for naturalisation, but PR documents are no longer valid.
Applicants must hold Settled Status for at least 12 months before applying for citizenship, unless they are married to a British citizen, in which case they can apply immediately after being granted Settled Status. Unlike PR, Settled Status does not require a physical document; proof is provided digitally through the Home Office online system.
To qualify for naturalisation, applicants must meet the residency requirements. They must have spent at least five years in the UK before applying and must not have been absent for more than 450 days during this period. In the 12 months before applying, absences must not exceed 90 days.
Applicants must also pass the Life in the UK Test and demonstrate knowledge of English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic, unless exempt. They must also meet the good character requirement, which includes having no serious criminal convictions or immigration breaches.
Applying for British citizenship is a significant step, as it provides the right to hold a British passport and removes any risk of losing settled status due to long absences from the UK. Those considering an application should check all eligibility requirements carefully and ensure they apply at the right time.
Need assistance?
DavidsonMorris are UK immigration specialists. For advice on your circumstances, and your options to come to or remain in the UK, contact us.
EEA PR Form FAQs
Is the EEA PR Form still valid in the UK?
No, the EEA PR Form is no longer valid. After Brexit, Permanent Residence for EEA nationals was replaced by Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). PR documents are no longer recognised as proof of the right to live or work in the UK.
What replaced the EEA PR Form?
The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) replaced Permanent Residence. Those who had PR before 31 December 2020 were required to apply for Settled Status to maintain their residency rights in the UK.
Can I still use my Permanent Residence document?
Permanent Residence documents issued under EU free movement laws are no longer accepted by employers, landlords, or public services. Individuals must now prove their status using Settled Status or another valid UK immigration document.
Do I need to apply for Settled Status if I had Permanent Residence?
PR holders were required to switch to Settled Status before 30 June 2021. If this was not done, they may still be able to apply late, but they must provide a reasonable explanation for missing the deadline.
Can I apply for British citizenship with a PR document?
British citizenship applications now require Settled Status, not PR. Those who previously used PR to apply for citizenship must first obtain Settled Status before submitting a naturalisation application.
What should I do if I still have a PR document?
Anyone still holding a Permanent Residence card or document should check their immigration status and apply for Settled Status or an alternative visa if necessary. PR documents are no longer recognised under UK law.
Can I still apply for the EU Settlement Scheme if I missed the deadline?
Late applications may still be accepted, but individuals must provide a valid reason for missing the original deadline. It is advisable to apply as soon as possible to avoid legal difficulties.
How do I prove my residency in the UK now?
Residency status must now be proved through the Home Office online checking system. Those with Settled Status can generate a digital code to share with employers, landlords, or public bodies to confirm their right to live and work in the UK.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| EEA PR Form | A form previously used by EEA nationals to apply for Permanent Residence in the UK before Brexit. |
| Permanent Residence (PR) | A status granted to EEA nationals who had lived in the UK for five continuous years under EU free movement rules. |
| EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) | The scheme introduced after Brexit to allow EEA, Swiss, and EU nationals to apply for Settled or Pre-Settled Status. |
| Settled Status | A form of indefinite leave under the EUSS, allowing EEA nationals to stay in the UK permanently. |
| Pre-Settled Status | A temporary status under the EUSS for EEA nationals who had not yet completed five years of UK residence. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | A UK immigration status that allows a person to live, work, and study in the UK without time restrictions. |
| Home Office Online Checking System | A digital service used to verify immigration status for employment, renting property, and accessing public services. |
| British Citizenship | The legal status allowing a person to hold a British passport and enjoy full rights as a UK citizen. |
| Residency Requirement | The minimum time an applicant must have lived in the UK before qualifying for Settled Status, ILR, or citizenship. |
| Late EUSS Application | A request submitted after the EUSS deadline, accepted only if there is a reasonable explanation for the delay. |
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
