Updates to this page will be indicated below:

30 October 2019	This page is under review following the agreed extension to 31 January 2020 for the UK's membership of the European Union.
15 August 2019	This page has been updated to remove references to the European Elections which took place in May 2019.
12 April 2019	The information on this page has been updated to reflect the latest information available, and supersedes the previous information page published.

Over 10% of our staff come from EU countries other than the UK. The University is committed to ensuring that our colleagues from across the EU and around the world continue to feel welcomed and valued at our institution.

However, the UK's departure from the European Union has, unfortunately, created uncertainty for our staff and students who come from the EU and the wider European Economic Area (including Switzerland).

The UK government and European Union have once again agreed to an extension of the UK's membership of the EU until 31 October. This further postpones any direct disruption that might have been caused by a No Deal exit.

We are continuing to track developments and prepare accordingly.

This page represents our best current interpretation of the government's announcements and intentions regarding EU nationals working in the UK, in order to provide some information to our staff who may be concerned about their status in the UK beyond 29 March 2019. It is based upon advice provided by Universities UK (UUK), and the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

If a government deal with the EU is approved:

• EU citizens in the UK will see no immediate change in their immigration status when the UK ceases to be a member of the EU.
• The proposed transition arrangement means there will be no changes to visa requirements or entitlements to EU/EEA nationals and their family members from the date the UK leaves the EU until 31 December 2020
• The Home Office has launched the EU Settlement Scheme, under which EU citizens can apply for 'settled or pre-settled status'. This will enable EU/EEA nationals to remain, work, and study in the UK beyond the UK's departure from the EU and the conclusion of the transition arrangement.
• Registration for settled status is open and closes on 30 June 2021.  More details can be found here.
• The transition arrangements will mean that the UK continues to participate in EU funded research programmes until at least 31 December 2020. Continued participation in programmes beyond that date will be subject to further negotiations between the UK and EU.

If no government deal is approved ('No Deal Brexit')

• The government has stated that "the UK will continue to run the EU Settlement Scheme for those resident in the UK when the UK ceases to be a member of the EU in a 'no deal' scenario".
• Any EU citizen resident in the UK when the UK ceases to be a member of the EU will be eligible to apply for settled status until at least 31 December 2020.
• There will be no changes to visa requirements for EU/EEA nationals and their family members who are resident in the UK until at least 31 December 2020.However, EU/EEA nationals arriving in the UK after the UK has left the EU may need to apply for permission if they want to stay here longer than 3 months. Please see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/european-temporary-leave-to-remain-in-the-uk for more information.
• The government has confirmed that it will underwrite the costs of EU funded research grants, including Horizon 2020 and EU structural funding, in the event of a No Deal Brexit.
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has launched an online portal for UK-based recipients of EU research project funding, in order that the necessary arrangements for continued funding can continue beyond Brexit, regardless of the political outcome.
• Colleagues should contact Greenwich Research and Enterprise if they have any questions about the future of EU funded research projects.
• The University expects that there could be disruption to various aspects of ordinary life, including road travel in Kent and South East England, air, boat and rail travel between the UK and the EU, in the event of a 'No Deal Brexit'. These are currently difficult to anticipate, and we will closely monitor developments and provide further information where possible.

Rights of Irish nationals

The status of Irish nationals in the UK is enshrined in bi-lateral treaties between the UK and Ireland. This will not be affected by any Brexit event. Irish nationals will therefore not be required to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme, although can do so should they wish.

Rights of EFTA and Swiss nationals

Nationals of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland are eligible to apply for settled status, in the same way as EU nationals. The scheme is currently open and is accepting applications, See www.gov.uk/euexit for more information.

Further queries

If you have any further concerns or queries regarding the effect on you of the UK's departure from the European Union, we recommend you speak to your senior manager or our HR team in the first instance.

Universities UK's latest advice regarding universities' preparations for Brexit, including matters related to citizens' rights, student fees, research funding, Erasmus+ and more, can be found here: Brexit and UK universities 

More detailed guidance can be found from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA): Advice for students on post-Brexit rules and entitlements and on Gov.uk EU exit: no deal preparations for higher education institutions.

Full details regarding the government's EU settlement scheme can be found here: Settled and pre-settled status for EU citizens and their families