Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to mitigate the issues faced by Roma EU citizens resident in the UK, with settled status, who may have their applications for naturalisation refused because they did not have Comprehensive Sickness Insurance before settled status was granted throughout any period of self-sufficiency or as a student.

It has always been a requirement for a person to have been in the UK lawfully during the residential qualifying period for naturalisation.

EEA Regulations set out the requirements which individuals need to follow if they wish to reside here lawfully before attaining permanent residence. For example, in the case of students or the self-sufficient – but not those who were working here – the possession of comprehensive sickness insurance has always been a requirement under these regulations. Our customer guidance explains this position.

The British Nationality Act allows us to exercise discretion over this requirement in the special circumstances of a case. The nationality application form and guide encourage applicants to give us relevant information to help us do so, including for Roma EU citizens.