Habitual Residency
REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
A registration certificate is a document issued to EEA nationals that confirms that person's right of residence under European law. You are not required to have a registration certificate to enter, live or work in the United Kingdom.
If you are a national of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia or Slovenia you are not eligible to apply for a registration certificate until you have completed 12 months of continuous employment in the United Kingdom.
To apply for a registration certificate to need to have:
- Workers Registration Scheme (WRS) Certificate- this applies to employees only
- Pay slips, contract or letter from employer
- Passport or ID card
Registration Certificate is important when you thinking about:
- Buying property (mortgage)
- Personal loans
- Investments
- Permanent residence
The most important keys to the success of your application are documents showing that you are employed, self- employed, studying or economically self- sufficient. When you were employed the most important aspect is to provide the WRS Certificate, pay slips, contract or letter from your employer.
Applications for a registration certificate should be made using application form EEA1
Form EEA1PDF 214K opens in a new window
PERMANENT RESIDENCE
After you have lived in the United Kingdom for a continuous period of five years you can apply for confirmation of your permanent residence. You will need to have been living in the United Kingdom and in employment, self-employment, studying or self-sufficient throughout the five-year period.
For your residence in the United Kingdom to be considered continuous you should not be absent from the United Kingdom for more than six months each year. Longer absences for compulsory military service will not affect your residence. Additionally, a single absence of a maximum of 12 months for important reasons such as pregnancy, child birth, serious illness, study, vocational training or posting overseas will not affect your residence.
EEA and Swiss nationals will be issued with a document that confirms they are permanent residents in the United Kingdom. This document has no expiry date. Applications by EEA and Swiss nationals should be made using application form EEA3.
Application for permanent residency should be made by using application form EEA3
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/eea/eea3.pdf
