EEA Nationals

The EEA is the European Economic Area.

The EEA is made up of the 27 member countries of the European Union (EU):

View a Map of European countries

• Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom 

Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights as  those listed above.

Nationals from Switzerland also have the right of free movement and residence throughout the EEA.

EEA nationals do not require any formal permission to enter the UK and there is no time limit on their stay.Once in the UK, EEA nationals are free to stay and work or set up a business and do not need to apply for permission to do so at any time.

Please note that rules are not the same for New Member States.

For information about rules for the A8 countries (Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia,Slovenia,Slovakia, Hungary and Czech republic) please refer to Work Registration Scheme

For further information about rules for the A2 countries (Romania and Bulgaria), please refer to UKBA website.

EEA nationals arriving in the UK

When you arrive at major UK ports and airports you should use the separate channel marked ‘EEA/EU’.

Immigration Officers will check your passport or national identity card to make sure that it is valid and belongs to you.

Registration Certificate

EEA Nationals expecting to work in the UK six months or more can apply for a Registration Certificate from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office.

However, the rules are slightly different for people from the New Members States (A8 and A2 Countries)

For further information about rules for the A8 countries (Poland,Lithuania,Estonia,Latvia,Slovenia,Slovakia,Hungar and Czech republic) Please refer to:  worker registration scheme.

For further information about the A2 countries ( Romania and Bulgaria) Please refer to: Bulgarian and Romanian Internationals

A Registration Certificate confirms your right to live and work in the UK under European Community Law and allows you to apply for residence documents for any eligible family members with you who are not EEA citizens.

Further information about the Registration Certificate and the application form.

Read EEA Nationals case studies to find about real life experience of living in Scotland.

Find out more from the Relocation Advisory Service (RAS). Email your enquiry to RAS.