It’s well over a year now since the country - and indeed the whole continent - went into shock when the result came in that the citizens of the United Kingdom had voted to leave the European Union. While that initial shock may have subsided, we remain in a situation of uncertainty and - for many - high levels of anxiety with regards the future of EU nationals in this country. The same goes for UK citizens living in EU countries who are concerned about their status once Brexit takes place. While negotiations regarding our exit continue without much being resolved, and with much being made of the possibility of the UK leaving the bloc without a deal, many EU citizens living in the UK remain concerned about their future status. Theresa May has guaranteed that those living in the country before Brexit takes place will be able to remain, but the precise details are unclear and it is feared that time consuming and expensive right-to-remain applications are just over the horizon for millions of EU nationals who have made the UK their home. The British government has recognised its responsibility to “honour the expectation” that citizens of EU member states moved to the United Kingdom in the belief that they would be able to make the country their permanent home. Despite this reassurance, a number of high-profile errors made recently by the Home Office have stoked fears that families will be forced apart and people who have lived here for many years will be forced to leave their homes. Most of those mistakes have fortunately now been rectified with the necessary apologies being issued, but confusion remains about what the future holds. The government has released proposals suggesting that EU citizens who have been in the UK for more than 5 years and wishing to remain will have to apply for “settled status”, while those with less time in the country will need to apply for a residency document. To prevent a sudden deluge of applications after Brexit occurs, a two-year window has been announced during which they can be made. Even so, this amounts to more than 4,000 submissions per day. That’s a lot of paperwork and presumably, a lot of certified translations of applicants’ original language documents to be carried out. Due to the special nature of the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, these new conditions for EU nations will not apply to Irish citizens, who will continue to be able to live and work freely in the UK without any special permission. Indeed, due to the historical connection between the two countries is it estimated that one in ten Britons has at least one Irish grandparent, meaning they are entitled to apply for an Irish passport - something that unprecedented numbers are now making the most of in an attempt to remain citizens of an EU member state and to continue to enjoy the attendant benefits. Lucky for those Brits who can really on their Irish grandparents to help them out of the problems of Brexit, but for the millions of non-Irish EU nationals who wish to remain in the UK we are also here to help. We predict that certified translations of many types of official documents will be required as part of the applications for settled status and residency documents. We guarantee the cheapest price on these translations, and since they will be submitted to the UK government our method of certification is ideal, as we follow the guidelines of that very same government.
If you are a UK citizen living in Spain, France, Germany or any other EU country and are hoping to remain there, you may find yourself in a similar situation in the coming years. Brexit is uncertain for everyone and we don’t have a crystal ball, but we can continue to offer you the certified translations you need at the cheapest prices – guaranteed.