New regulations spark wave of concern as it could lead to the deportation of EU students and spouses of British citizens

 

EU citizens living in the UK have expressed panic and confusion after it emerged new regulations brought in by the Government allow the Home Office to remove some of them from the country if they do not have a comprehensive sickness insurance (CSI).


A briefing published by a barrister revealed that the Home Office acquired controversial new enforcement powers against EU citizens from 1 February.

It warns those EU citizens who are not considered to have a "right of residence", including some students and spouses of UK citizens, and who do not have CSI, could be deported or refused entry back into the UK if they leave.

The majority of EU nationals living in the UK are entitled to use the NHS, meaning many do not have the suddenly all-important insurance.

The briefing provoked a wave of panic from European nationals residing in the UK. Dozens of people posted comments on a link to the article shared on a Facebook page for the campaign group the 3 Million.

“I’m scared," one person said simply, while another expressed confusion, saying: “It raises more questions than answers."

Among those expressing concern were a number of European mature students studying in the UK, as well as spouses of British citizens who are not in work — all of whom are at risk of being removed from the country under the new regulations.