EU27 citizens ‘discriminated against’ in UK

The3million say they welcome comments by UK Prime Minister Theresa May in Florence last week, where she said “we want you to stay; we value you and we thank you for your contribution to our national life” – however they say such assurances must be matched by concrete action.

A spokeswoman said uncertainty over EU expats’ long-term right to stay in the UK is to blame for discrimination: in particular against those EU27 citizens who have not applied for and obtained a permanent residence (‘PR’) card or British nationality. In the UK 'PR' cards are a required first step for obtaining British nationality; they are also, as in the rest of the EU, a certification of five years of legal residence in another EU state after which EU citizens acquire a right to be considered permanent residents.

As in France (where the card is called carte de séjour UE - 'séjour permanent'), PR cards are a right of expats of EU nationality who meet the criteria; however they are not obligatory and, as in France, many people report difficulties with being issued them.

Unlike France however the complexity of the (85-page) form and the cost of the application are also off-putting for some. The3million say there is a £65 application fee as well as, often, other costs in administration, legal advice and translations.

The spokeswoman said the group collected "dozens" of adverts which offered jobs only for British passport-holders or for EU citizens who had one of the cards. This is despite the fact that they do not need a card to be legal residents (including for those who have been in the UK for less than five years).

“We found examples from across the country, we have also heard from individual members who have been told while looking for a job that they wouldn’t be considered without a PR card. This has happened across a lot of sectors including financial work and is a very widespread phenomenon.

“There have also been human resources guidelines sent around companies saying new employees have to have a PR card.”

The spokeswoman added: “We have also had reports about the ability to access loans and mortgages. They are less inclined to letting EU citizens have access.

“From the bank’s perspective they want to give loans to people who are able to repay. If somebody’s ability to live and work in the country is under question you can understand their concerns.

“So, it’s happening because of the inability of the government to give us reassurances that we will have the right to live our lives as before, so as to also reassure employers and banks.

“We need tangible reassurance and our rights must be ring-fenced in a mutual agreement that we can keep on living as before.”

Apart from this context of loans and mortgages, the spokeswoman said some EU citizens are upset as their banks are asking them questions about their residence rights because the government is asking banks to “act like border officials” and check for undocumented immigrants.

The rights of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens in the EU will be among the main topics discussed this week in the fourth round of Brexit talks.

The UK is hoping that this month and next “sufficient progress” will be deemed to have been made for a “second phase” of talks to open related to future trading arrangements between the EU and UK.