I'm an EEA national. What are my rights in the UK?

Living in the UK

If you are an EEA national you have the right to come to the UK and stay for up to three months for any reason. After three months, you have the right to continue living in the UK if:

• you are working (work can be a mix of work and study); or
• you have set up a business or are self employed; or
• you are studying in the UK after having worked here.

But if you are:

• looking for work; or
• studying in the UK without having worked; or
• just want to live here,

you can only stay if you have enough money to support yourself without help from 'public funds'. Public funds includes benefits like Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

February 2010