The EU Settlement Scheme

Background

The Equality and Social Justice Committee was established in June 2021 - the same month as the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application deadline. It has monitored the EUSS ever since and its second annual report, published on 8 April 2024, is the culmination of this work. 

In its first annual report, the Committee raised concerns for citizens making late applications and for those who’ve made no application and risk being denied services, or even deported. Other key issues included statistical gaps; a high number of late applications; Welsh Government funding for free advice and support; and how the Welsh and UK governments work together. ESJ Committee’s second annual report and exchanges with the former Minister for Social Justice reflect many emerging complexities as more time passes, including changes to the EUSS and system errors that have resulted in Europeans having to return the cost of benefits received. The Committee has called on the Welsh Government to continue supporting European citizens in Wales and to work with the UK Government to do this. It recommends the government closely monitors changes to the EUSS and continues targeting support at harder to reach, underrepresented and vulnerable groups, including the Roma community. 

Further reading: Remaining in Wales? Senedd Committee keeps spotlight on Europeans who stayed after Brexit

The Committee will be exploring the following issues with key stakeholders:

•       the development and evolution of the EU Settlement Scheme; 

•       the Committee’s findings from its monitoring reports and annual reports; 

•       any persistent or emerging issues experienced by European citizens in Wales;

•       changes to the EUSS and their implications;

•       support provided by the UK and Welsh governments.

Monitoring work

The Committee published its final report on the EU Settlement Scheme on 25 November 2025. The report presents the Committee’s findings from its work in the Sixth Senedd.

A sentence in the report was incorrect and has been removed. The amended version of the report “Settled but not safe? EU citizens who stayed after Brexit” was re-published on 7 January 2026.