The EU settlement Scheme is designed to offer EU, non-EU EEA and Swiss nationals and their eligible family members living in the UK before the end of the transition period (during which free movement continues) the opportunity to protect their residence in the UK after the transitional period has ended.
Settled Status
EU or EEA citizens who have lived in the UK for more than five years may apply for settled Status. Settled Status means that you have a permanent residence or an indefinite leave to remain in the UK. With settled status, you become an ordinary resident in the UK. There will be no immigration restriction on the length of time you stay in the UK.
Pre-settled Status
You will be eligible to apply for limited leave to remain in the UK (known as pre-settled status) if you arrive to the UK before 31 December 2020, but have not yet been continuously living in the UK for 5 years. This will enable you to stay for 5 years, after which time you may be eligible to apply for settled status. Your pre-settled status will allow you to live, work, and study in the UK without restriction.
With Settled Status or Pre-settled Status, EEA citizens can stay outside the UK for up to five years without losing their status, while Swiss citizens can stay outside the UK for four years without losing their status.
If you have been granted Pre-settled Status and you wish to ultimately qualify and apply for settled status once you reach the 5-year threshold, then you must not break the continuity of your residence by being outside the UK for more than 6 months in any 12-month (unless it is for one period of up to 12 months in specific circumstances including serious illness or study)
With either settled Status or Pre-settled Status, you will be able to study and work in the UK and are eligible to use the National Health Service.
You may apply for British citizenship after you have been granted a Settled Status and have been holding this status for at least one year.
EEA family permit after Brexit
EEA family permit would still be applicable allowing applicants to come to the UK. EEA family members who wish to come to the UK to join their family member are eligible to apply EEA family permits outside the UK. Family members include close and extended family. Extended family member means you are a brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, nephew or niece.
EU nationals are all expected to hold a settled or pre-settled status before their family members can apply for right to come to the UK.
If a family members arrives in the UK after being granted permission to stay abroad, the family members can apply for a Pre-settled Status in the UK and then for a Settled Status five years later.