Self-sufficient EEA nationals
Who is self-sufficient?
You are a self-sufficient EEA national with a right to housing and benefits if:
- you have EU pre-settled status, or you made you an application to the EU Settlement Scheme before 1 July 2021 which has not yet been decided; and
- you can meet your own needs for accommodation and maintenance without receiving UK social assistance; and
- you have comprehensive sickness insurance.
But if you have EU settled status or if you first entered the UK after 31 December 2020 your rights to housing and benefits are the same as a non-EEA national according to the type of leave you have.
The only benefits that count as UK social assistance are: universal credit, state pension credit, housing benefit and income-related employment support allowance. But claiming one of these does not automatically disqualify you as being self-sufficient - your personal circumstances must be considered (such as the amount of the award, your reasons for claiming and how long you are likely to be claiming for etc.).
What is comprehensive sickness insurance?
You meet the requirement for comprehensive sickness insurance if:
- you are registered with a GP/health centre for NHS treatment; or
- you were issued with a European Health Insurance Card in your home country together with a letter (called a statement of intent) confirming that you do not intend to stay in the UK permanently; or
- you have private comprehensive sickness insurance; or
- (in certain circumstances) you receive an invalidity or retirement pension from your home country (i.e. the EEA member state you migrated from).
If your council or DWP tell you that registering with your GP/health centre is not sufficient, seek advice (or look at our more detailed guidance here). For more information about your rights to a pension from your home state or the UK, see the Europa (Your Europe) website or contact the AIRE centre.
