In 2025, the EU Delegation to the UK continued to monitor key developments affecting EU citizens living in the UK, while also convening events, commissioning research and supporting initiatives that celebrate EU communities and their contributions.
This short review highlights the main Home Office updates affecting the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), alongside moments of reflection, research and connection led or supported by the EU Delegation throughout the year.
Key Home Office updates in 2025
Several significant changes in 2025 affected how settled status applications are assessed under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Since January 2025, the Home Office has begun automatically upgrading some pre-settled status holders to settled status, using National Insurance records to confirm five years’ residence. This means some pre-settled status holders will get settled status without having to make an application. However, as not everyone with pre-settled status can be automatically upgraded for many the best option is to make an application for settled status once you are eligible.
Learn more: Automatic grants of settled status
From 16 July, a new residence rule applies to pre-settled status holders applying to upgrade to settled status. Under this change, 30 months of residence in the last 60 months qualifies for settled status, providing a more flexible route than the original continuous residence requirement. Even if you have previously been refused settled status in the past you may now be able to qualify if you have 30 months of residence at any point over the last five years.
Learn more: Change in the pre-settled status residence rules
Importantly, the wider UK settlement reforms announced by the UK government this year will not affect EUSS status holders. The scheme remains protected under the Withdrawal Agreement, and EU citizens and their eligible family members continue to have a five-year route to settled status.
Learn more: Settlement reforms will not affect EUSS status holders
These important policy changes were reflected on in our December Facebook live session with an immigration lawyer. You can re-watch the session on the EU Delegations Facebook Live channel.
You can read more about these rights on the page What are your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement?
Celebrating EU citizens in 2025
Alongside these policy developments, the EU Delegation to the UK marked 2025 with a programme of events and research recognising the experiences, resilience and contributions of EU citizens across the country.
Earlier in the year, the EU Delegation marked International Roma Day In April with a panel discussion bringing together Roma-led organisations, EU embassies, academics and experts, and In March an event for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination took place, focusing on inclusion in workplaces and communities.
In June, the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford published new research commissioned by EU Delegation, offering valuable insights into the experiences, challenges and contributions of EU citizens living across the UK.
Read more in our Research Hub
In July, Manchester hosted the fourth EU Citizens’ Gathering, bringing together over 150 EU citizens, community leaders, civil society organisations, diplomats and policymakers for a day of discussion, connection and action.
In October, the EU Delegation and the Danish Embassy in London co-hosted “Resilience and Empowerment: The Story of EU Citizens in the UK”, bringing together researchers, civic leaders, entrepreneurs and local representatives to explore the lived experiences of the 5.8 million EU citizens and family members with EUSS status.
In November, the winners of our 2025 EmpowerEU Awards were announced at a ceremony in London attended by representatives from civil society, EU citizen communities and the diplomatic corps.
As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on a year of change, learning and collaboration. Looking ahead to 2026, we continue to engage with EU communities and partners across the UK.
Leave a Reply