Brexit advice
Fife Council has no control over Government policy surrounding BREXIT. However, we will do our best to make sure EU citizens living in Fife are aware of decisions and arrangements that may affect them, as well as advice and support resources.
On this page:
Where to find more information and support
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Scottish Goverment information, including 'Stay in Scotland' package www.mygov.scot/eu-exit/ |
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UK Government information www.gov.uk/government/brexit |
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A support and advice service for affected citizens living in Scotland with more complex needs www.cas.org.uk/brexit |
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Brexit planning for businesses in Scotland - www.prepareforbrexit.scot/ |
Local support groups |
Settled and pre-settled status for EU citizens and their families
If you’re a European Union (EU) citizen, you and your family will be able to apply to get either settled or pre-settled status. This will mean you can continue living in the UK after 31 December 2020. The EU Settlement Scheme is now fully open and the Government has confirmed that it wlll continue whether the UK leaves the EU with or without a deal.
You will not need to apply if:
- you’re an Irish citizen
- you have indefinite leave to remain in the UK
- you have indefinite leave to enter the UK
Your family members from outside the UK and Ireland will still need to apply even if you do not need to. From 9 April 2019, EU citizens and certain family members will be able to apply to the Scheme from outside the UK, free of charge and based on their previous residence in the UK, without needing to travel here to make an online application. More information on the Government website.
There is no fee associated with the scheme. Anyone who paid a fee during the test phases will be refunded.
If you are due a refund you do not need to do anything. The government will automatically refund the fee to the card that was used to pay it. An email will be sent to the contact address provided in the application, confirming when the refund has been processed.
Read more about the scheme at https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
Confirmation of Identity
To make an application to the EU Settlement Scheme, you need to confirm your identity:
- If you have an Android device this can be done through the app ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’. Apple has confirmed the app will work on their devices by the end of 2019.
- If you do not wish to, or cannot, use the EU Exit ID Document Check App you will be able to send your passport or other identity documents by post or you can make an appointment to have your ID document scanned and verified for you:
- Registrars Office
The Quadrangle
City Chambers
253 High Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1YP
Help to complete the application online
You can get Assisted Digital support to use the EU Settlement Scheme online application form if you’re in the UK and do not have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to complete the form. Read more about the Assisted Digital service on Gov.UK website.
Contact ‘We Are Digital’ if you need this support and they will make an appointment for you:
- Telephone – 03333 445 675 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
- Text message – text the word VISA to 07537416944
In Fife the Assisted Digital Support locations are:
- Cowdenbeath Customer Service Centre
- Cupar Customer Service Centre
- Dunfermline Customer Service Centre
- Glenrothes Customer Service Centre
- Inverkeithing Customer Service Centre
- Kirkcaldy Customer Service Centre
- Methil Customer Service Centre
The Government has announced a new online system so that, if you have applied to the scheme you can view your status as soon as there's a decision.
You can go to your online profile to:
- view your status
- understand your rights
- update your details
In the future, you’ll also be able to prove your rights to others online.
You will not get a paper document to prove your status and rights, as these documents can be open to fraud, or be lost or stolen. Help will be available if you have difficulties using the online service.
See how to access your profile on the Gov.UK website.
Further Questions
If you have any questions phone the EU Settlement Resolution Centre on 0300 123 7379. The centre is open from Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm, excluding public holidays, and on Saturday and Sunday between 9.30am and 4.30pm.
Pensions & benefits
I am a non-UK EU citizen living in Scotland, will Brexit affect my pension?
If you are an EU citizen currently living in Scotland, you should continue to have access to your pension as normal.
If you are an EU citizen currently living in the UK and you get a pension from a non-UK authority, you should contact that country's relevant benefits and pension department for more information about the potential impact of Brexit.
Will EU citizens who have private occupational pensions in the UK still be able to receive them abroad?
There is nothing in UK private occupational pensions legislation that prevents occupational pension schemes from making pension payments overseas. It is not expected that this will change as a result of the UK withdrawing from the EU.
The UK government has announced an agreement on social security with Ireland, guaranteeing continued access to State Pension for UK and Irish citizens and their qualifying family members when in the other’s state.
If further details are made available by the relevant pensions bodies we will update the information here.
See UK Government guidance: "EU citizens in the UK: benefits and pensions in a ‘no deal’ scenario"
