The UK Residence Card, EEA Registration Certificates, and Permanent Resident Cards (PRC) are no longer issued and have been replaced by the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). If you held any of these legacy EEA documents before Brexit, you should have applied for settled or pre-settled status under the EUSS by 30 June 2021. As of September 2025, over 8.7 million applications have been made to the scheme, with 4.32 million people granted settled status. This guide explains what these historical documents were, what replaced them, and what you need to do now to prove your UK residence rights through the eVisa system.
UK Residence Card and EEA Permanent Residence: 2026 Overview
Prior to Brexit, EEA nationals and their family members could establish residence rights in the UK through various documents under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016. These included the UK Residence Card for non-EEA family members, EEA Registration Certificates for EU citizens, and Permanent Resident Cards (PRC) for those with five years' continuous residence. All of these documents became obsolete when the UK left the EU, replaced by the EU Settlement Scheme.
What Were the Legacy EEA Documents?
The legacy EEA documents were: (1) UK Residence Card—issued to non-EEA family members of EU citizens; (2) EEA Registration Certificate—issued to EU nationals exercising treaty rights; (3) Permanent Resident Card (PRC)—issued to non-EEA family members after 5 years; and (4) Document Certifying Permanent Residence—issued to EEA nationals after 5 years. All became invalid after 31 December 2020 and were replaced by EUSS settled/pre-settled status.
The EEA Regulations provided a framework for EU free movement rights in the UK. Understanding what these historical documents were helps explain the transition to the current system, particularly for those who may still hold physical cards or certificates.
Who Was Eligible for a UK Residence Card?
The UK Residence Card was available to non-EEA family members of EEA nationals who were "qualified persons" in the UK. The EEA national had to be exercising one of the following treaty rights:
- Worker: Employed by a UK company or organization
- Self-employed: Running a business or working as a freelancer in the UK
- Student: Enrolled at a UK educational institution with comprehensive sickness insurance
- Self-sufficient: Having sufficient resources and comprehensive sickness insurance
- Jobseeker: Actively seeking employment with a genuine chance of being engaged
Eligible family members included spouses, civil partners, direct descendants under 21 or dependents, and dependent direct relatives in the ascending line (parents, grandparents). Extended family members such as unmarried partners in a durable relationship could also apply in certain circumstances.
Permanent Residence Card UK: What Was It?
The Permanent Residence Card UK (PRC) was issued to non-EEA family members who had lived in the UK for 5 continuous years with an EEA national exercising treaty rights. It confirmed indefinite residence rights and was the precursor to what is now "settled status" under EUSS. EEA nationals themselves received a "Document Certifying Permanent Residence" after 5 years.
EEA Permanent Residence Requirements (Historical)
To qualify for permanent residence under the old EEA Regulations, applicants needed to meet the following criteria:
- 5 years continuous residence: Living in the UK for an unbroken period of 5 years
- Exercising treaty rights: The EEA national must have been working, self-employed, studying, or self-sufficient throughout
- Limited absences: Absences not exceeding 6 months in any 12-month period (with some exceptions)
- Comprehensive sickness insurance: Required for students and self-sufficient persons
Historical Statistics: EEA Documents 2004-2017
Between 2004 and 2017, the Home Office processed significant numbers of EEA documentation applications:
The refusal rate of approximately 17-18% highlighted the importance of thorough documentation and meeting all eligibility criteria. Common refusal reasons included insufficient evidence of the EEA national exercising treaty rights and failure to prove the claimed family relationship.
What Replaced UK Residence Cards and EEA Documents?
The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) replaced all legacy EEA documentation from 30 March 2019. EU citizens and their family members who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 needed to apply by 30 June 2021 to receive either settled status (equivalent to permanent residence) or pre-settled status (for those with less than 5 years' residence). Over 8.7 million applications have been made to the scheme.
The transition from EEA Regulations to the EU Settlement Scheme represented a fundamental shift in how EU citizens' rights are managed in the UK. The table below compares the old and new systems:
Legacy Documents vs EUSS Status Comparison
EU Settlement Scheme Statistics 2025
As of September 2025, the EU Settlement Scheme has received 8.7 million applications from 6.4 million individuals. Of these, 4.32 million have been granted settled status and 1.47 million hold pre-settled status. The top nationalities are Romania (1.71M applications), Poland (1.23M), and Italy. Since January 2025, the Home Office has automatically converted 53,750 pre-settled status holders to settled status.
The EU Settlement Scheme has become one of the largest immigration programs in UK history, far exceeding the scope of the previous EEA Regulations system. The latest Home Office statistics reveal:
30-Month Rule and Automatic Conversions
Two significant policy changes in 2025 have affected pre-settled status holders:
- 30-Month Rule (July 2025): Pre-settled status holders can now qualify for settled status with 30 months' UK presence in the preceding 60 months, rather than the previous requirement of 5 continuous years
- Automatic Conversions (January 2025): The Home Office uses HMRC, DWP, and border crossing data to automatically upgrade eligible pre-settled holders to settled status without requiring an application
- Automatic Extensions: Pre-settled status is automatically extended for 5 years if it would otherwise expire before the holder becomes eligible for settled status
eVisa Transition: Proving Your Immigration Status
Unlike the old UK Residence Card and Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs), EUSS status is digital. Physical BRCs expired on 31 December 2024 and cannot be used for travel since 2 June 2025. You must create a UKVI account to access your eVisa at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status. As of April 2025, an estimated 300,000 UK residents had not yet set up their eVisa, risking difficulties proving their right to work, rent, and travel.
The UK has transitioned to a fully digital immigration system. If you hold EUSS status, you need to ensure you can access it online. Visit the View and Prove your immigration status page to create your UKVI account if you haven't already.
- Step 1: Go to gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
- Step 2: Create a UKVI account using your passport or BRC number
- Step 3: Download the UK Immigration: ID Check app if needed for biometric verification
- Step 4: Link your current passport to your UKVI account
- Step 5: View your eVisa and generate share codes as needed for employers/landlords
- UK Residence Cards, EEA Registration Certificates, and PRCs became invalid after 31 December 2020
- The EU Settlement Scheme replaced all legacy EEA documentation—over 8.7 million applications received
- EUSS status is digital (eVisa)—there is no "settled status card" to hold
- Physical BRCs expired 31 December 2024 and cannot be used for travel since 2 June 2025
- Create your UKVI account at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status to access your eVisa
For more information on the EU Settlement Scheme and related topics, see our guides on the EUSS Family Permit and EU Citizens' Rights post-Brexit. For official guidance, visit gov.uk Settled and Pre-Settled Status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a UK Residence Card still valid in 2026?
No, UK Residence Cards issued under the EEA Regulations are no longer valid. They became obsolete after 31 December 2020 when the Brexit transition period ended. If you held a UK Residence Card, you should have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021 to secure settled or pre-settled status. If you missed the deadline, you may still be able to apply with reasonable grounds for your late application.
What replaced the Permanent Residence Card UK?
The Permanent Residence Card (PRC) was replaced by "settled status" under the EU Settlement Scheme. Settled status is equivalent to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and provides permanent residence rights in the UK. Unlike the old PRC which was a physical card, settled status is entirely digital and accessed through an eVisa in your UKVI account.
Can I get a physical settled status card?
No, there is no physical "settled status card." EUSS status is entirely digital and accessed through your UKVI online account as an eVisa. While Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) were initially issued to some EUSS applicants, these expired on 31 December 2024. You must now use the online View and Prove service to demonstrate your immigration status to employers, landlords, and at UK borders.
What is the difference between an EEA Registration Certificate and settled status?
The EEA Registration Certificate was issued under EU free movement law to EU nationals exercising treaty rights in the UK—it confirmed their existing rights rather than granting them. Settled status under EUSS is a grant of indefinite leave to remain under UK domestic immigration law. The key difference is that EEA rights derived from EU membership and ended with Brexit, while settled status is a permanent UK immigration status that continues regardless of EU law.
I missed the EUSS deadline—can I still apply?
Yes, late applications are still being accepted if you have "reasonable grounds" for missing the 30 June 2021 deadline. Acceptable reasons include being a child whose parent/guardian failed to apply, physical or mental incapacity, being a victim of domestic abuse, or other compelling circumstances. The Home Office continues to receive and process late applications—over 690,000 late applications have been received since July 2021.
How do I convert pre-settled status to settled status?
You can apply to switch from pre-settled to settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme once you have 5 years' continuous residence, or under the 30-month rule (July 2025) if you have 30 months' UK presence in the last 60 months. The Home Office is also automatically converting eligible pre-settled holders using HMRC, DWP, and border crossing data—53,750 conversions were made in the first nine months of 2025. Check your UKVI account regularly to see if you've been upgraded.
Can I use my old EEA documents for anything?
Old UK Residence Cards, EEA Registration Certificates, and PRCs have no legal effect and cannot be used to prove your immigration status. However, you may wish to keep them for your personal records or as evidence of your residence history if making a late EUSS application or applying for British citizenship. Expired Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) should also be retained for records but cannot be used for travel or right to work checks.
Are there any fees for the EU Settlement Scheme?
No, there are no application fees for the EU Settlement Scheme. This includes initial applications, late applications, and applications to switch from pre-settled to settled status. Creating a UKVI account to access your eVisa is also free. This contrasts with the old EEA Regulations system where fees were charged for UK Residence Cards and Documents Certifying Permanent Residence.