Some Bedford residents "may not realise" they only have until the end of the month to apply for EU living status

All EU, EEA or Swiss citizens and their families, who lived in the UK on December 31, 2020, can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme

But - as Bedford Borough Council has warned - time is running out.

Residents who successfully apply to the scheme will be able to continue living in the UK after the deadline on June 30, without affecting their existing rights to work, use the NHS and to access housing and welfare benefits.

Councillor Colleen Atkins, portfolio holder for regulatory services and housing, said: “Many Bedford borough residents have already applied to the EU Settlement Scheme since it was launched by the Home Office in 2019 but we are concerned that some residents may not realise they need to apply.

“If you are unsure about whether or not you need to apply to the scheme, the best thing you can do is check – don’t delay the final deadline for applications is only days away.”

People that should apply to the scheme include those who:

*were born in the UK but do not have British citizenship

*have a UK 'permanent residence document'

*are a family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who does not need to apply

*are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen with a British citizen family member