"As of today, there is one year left to apply before the deadline of 30 June 2021 and my message to European citizens and their families is clear: apply now," urged the Secretary of State for Immigration and Future Borders, Kevin Foster.

The UK's departure from the European Union on 31 January implies an end to freedom of movement for Europeans in the country, and British citizens in the EU's 27 member states, at the end of 2020, when the transition period ends.

On January 1, a new immigration system in the UK is scheduled to come into force, which will impose criteria such as professional or academic qualifications and a minimum wage of £25,600 (€30,800).

Europeans who settle in the UK by 31 December can register as residents, obtaining permanent title ('settled status') if they have been in the country for at least five years and the provisional title ('pre-settled status') if they arrived less than five years ago.

By the end of May, the British Interior Ministry had received 3.6 million applications, of which 3.3 million had been processed, but close to 44,000 had not been approved.

Portugal, with 280,800 applications, is the country with the fourth largest number, behind Poland, Romania and Italy.

The EU Residence Scheme [EU Settlement Scheme] is also open to nationals of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and close family members of all eligible applicants, including from non-European countries.