With the relatively low rate of applications for settled status being made by Polish people, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in London Arkady Rzegocki appeals in a letter to all Polish people living in the United Kingdom who do not hold British citizenship to apply for settled status if they wish to remain in the UK after Brexit.

„Dear Compatriots,

I am appealing to you during an extremely important period in the history of the United Kingdom and Polish presence in this country. Soon, the UK, which has been home to thousands of Poles for decades, will most likely cease to be a member of the European Union – which we regret, but we also see this process as an opportunity to strengthen the bond between our two countries. However, Britain’s exit from the European Community is associated with changes in several areas, including the free movement of EU citizens and documentation of their stay in the British Isles.

As a result of the rules set by the United Kingdom government in relation to evidencing their stay in the UK, from 29 March this year, every EU citizen living permanently in the UK must register in the electronic system and obtain the so-called settled status or pre-settled status to be able to remain legally in the country after Brexit. As announced by the British government, this must be done by the end of June 2021, and in the event of the UK leaving the EU without an agreement, by the end of 2020. This applies to all non-British citizens, regardless of their current status, including residents.

To date, around 27% of Poles living in the British Isles have applied for settled status. This is an alarmingly low level, meaning that thousands of Polish citizens may be exposed to complications related to the lack of regulating their status. With the dynamically developing situation regarding United Kingdom’s exit from the EU and the relatively low rate of applications for settled status by Polish people, I would like to draw your attention to the need to submit such an application if you want to stay in the UK after Brexit. Up-to-date information on the procedure for obtaining settled status is available on the Polish Embassy website: brexit.msz.gov.pl. On this page you will also find up-to-date information about Brexit, as well as addresses of websites of reliable institutions that can provide support in the process of obtaining settled status, and which also provide their services in Polish.

I also encourage you to seriously consider the possibility of returning to Poland and to familiarise yourself with the information available on the website powroty.gov.pl, which provides answers to questions about, among others, social benefits in Poland, finding employment and finding places in schools for children. The rapidly growing economy of our country creates more and more opportunities for citizens for development and having good living conditions in the country.

Wishing you all the best, I urge you to secure your future.

Yours faithfully,

Arkady Rzegocki

Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in London”.

Source: Polish Embassy Press Office/Nel Badowska