The EEA Route to British Citizenship can be different than those applying to naturalise through the normal UK Immigration rules. There are several routes that an EEA national and their family members can take to become naturalised in the UK. It is first important to understand who is classed as an EEA National or family member

EEA nationals and their family members include

• The EEA national
• The EEA national’s EEA Spouse or Parter
• The EEA national’s Children, Grandparents or other Dependants
• The EEA national’s non-EEA spouse, partner, children, grandparents or dependents

EEA Routes that lead to British Citizenship

5 Years as a Resident exercising treaty rights – Apply for Permanent Residence – After 1 Year on PR apply for British Citizenship

When an EEA national and their family members including non-EEA nationals come to the UK they are able to go down a path leading to Permanent Residence and eventually British citizenship. To be eligible for this route to settlement and then British Citizenship the main EEA national that the application is based off must have been exercising their treaty rights in the UK for at least 5 years to get Permanent Residence. After they obtain Permanent Residence in the UK they don’t have to exercise treaty rights anymore. Once 12 months have passed as a Permanent Resident the applicant can now apply for British Citizenship.

6 Years as a Resident exercising treaty rights then apply direct for British Citizenship

Note this route has been removed by the Home Office at the of 2015 and all EEA nationals must have EEA PR for 1 year before they can apply for British citizenship

An EEA National and their family members can skip the PR application process and jump straight to making an application for British Citizenship if they have been resident in the UK for 6 years and exercising treaty rights. Although this route is technically possible, it will be much more difficult to prove than the previous route of obtaining Permanent Residence first. Expertly detailed and thorough preparation is required to ensure the application for British Citizenship is up to the standard the Home Office expect. Considering the cost of British Citizenship (over £1000) vs the low cost of gaining Permanent Residence it is advised to get PR first then go down the citizenship route. Once you have PR your evidence requirements are much smaller and simpler with risk of financial loss smaller.

Whichever EEA route you chose for getting your British Citizenship, we will be able to provide professional advice and document checking service to ensure your application is prepared to Home Office requirements