EEA Nationals
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EEA Nationals
An EEA national is a person who is a citizen of an EEA country (not someone who simply has permission to live there.). The various free movement provisions also cover EEA nationals’ family members, whether nationals or not. EEA nationals are not subject to immigration control if they have rights to reside under EU regulations. They and their family members have specific rights in housing and benefit law and regulations as a result of EU regulations and directives. The European Union is based on a series of multilateral Treaties between member states, signed and ratified in accordance with their own constitutional procedures. The UK is a member of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA includes all the EU countries, plus some additional countries whose citizens largely enjoy the same freedom of movement and other privileges in the UK as EU citizens. All members of the EU are automatically members of the EEA, but EEA countries are not automatically members of the EU. The distinction between EU and EEA nationals is becoming less significant in EU law and the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 apply the same rights of residence to citizens of all EU and EEA countries and Switzerland while they are in the UK. For more information on EEA Nationals see document below…