Your rights in the UK if you are from the EEA
The European Economic Area includes these countries:
* Austria
* Belgium
* Bulgaria
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Ireland
* Italy
* Latvia
* Liechtenstein
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Malta
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
Swiss nationals are also treated as if they were EEA nationals even though Switzerland is not part of the EEA.
This guide explains your rights to enter, live, work and study in the United Kingdom (UK) if you are a national of a European Economic Area (EEA) country.
We also look at your rights to bring your family and to get help with housing and health care.
Not all EEA nationals are treated the same
There are different rules for people from eight of the newest member states; Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
These countries are sometimes known as 'the A8 states'. These EEA nationals are required to register under what is called the Worker Registration Scheme if they wish to take employment.
See our page Your rights in the UK if you are from an A8 country for more details.
Nationals from Bulgaria and Romania are also treated differently. They must get permission from the Home Office before they take a job and permission will only be given if the job is of a certain sort.
If you are from Bulgaria or Romania you should read the Home Office information (see 'Links to other websites' on the right)
Download this guide as an easy-to-print leaflet -
Your rights in the UK if you are from the EEA (409 KB)
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