She said in a letter to expats that the team at the Home Office is working to build the digital system that is needed for the application process. She reiterated that achieving settled status will cost no more than the fee a British person pays for a passport and for those who already have valid permanent residence documentation it will be free. Expats wishing to apply for settled status do not need to do anything yet. Rudd was not specific about timings, but did say that the application process will open during the second half of next year. A further update is expected in the New Year when the Home Office will reveal more of the details involved for those wishing to make an application.
Under the agreement the rights of EU expats currently in the UK and their families remain broadly the same with access to healthcare, benefits and pensions protected.
Existing close family members living outside the UK will retain the right to join expats in future with the rights becoming part of UK law. Irish citizens living in the UK will also have their existing rights, associated with the Common Travel Area arrangements, protected.