Making your application
This page describes the application process for nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. It also explains how you can ask us to return your passport if you need it while we are processing your application, and how you can get your residence card or stamp transferred to a new passport.
Applying under European law - make sure your application is complete
The UK Border Agency is changing the way that it processes applications by European nationals and their families for registration certificates, cards and stamps.
On this page
How to apply
There is no fee for applications under European law.
You should make sure that you use the correct application form and provide all the necessary documents in support of your application. Each application form contains details of the information that you must provide. To find out which application form you need for your type of application, see the page on Applying under European law.
You must supply the original documents with your completed application form. Copies of the documents will not be accepted.
All completed European application forms should be sent to:
European Applications
Home Office
PO Box 306
Dept 45
Liverpool
L2 0QN
EEA nationals can apply for registration certificates in person at our public enquiry office in Croydon, but this service is in high demand and appointments need to be booked approximately two months in advance. You will need to make an appointment before you visit the office.
For details of the public enquiry office's location, its opening times and how to make an appointment, see the section on Applying in person.
Processing times
The time taken to process your application will depend on the type of application you make and how you submit it. There is currently a backlog of applications, and we are taking steps to address this situation as soon as possible. We aim to be operating back within our service standards from the beginning of December 2009.
If you make your application in person at the Croydon public enquiry office, we will usually process your application on the same day.
How to ask us to return your passport
If you have submitted your passport in support of your application under European law, we generally advise that you should not make any travel plans.
However, there may be occasions when you need to travel before your application has been decided and will need to request your passport back.
We will try to return your travel documents within 10 working days of you making us aware of your travel plans.
If you need to request your documents for emergency travel (because you will be travelling within the next 10 days), you must contact the UK Border Agency helpline on 0845 010 5200 and speak to a member of staff about your request. You must provide details of when you need to travel. This will help to make sure that we can deal with your request and return your documents to you as soon as possible.
Please note that we do not routinely accept emergency requests and you will need to provide proof of your need to travel.
If your expected date of travel is more than 10 days in the future, you must email your request to LiverpoolEuro.PassportReturns@UKBA.gsi.gov.uk. Please provide details of your travel plans and your Home Office reference if possible. This dedicated email address has been set up specially for non-urgent returns of passports. It is strictly monitored, and only non-urgent requests for passport returns should be sent to it - any other requests, including urgent requests and general queries about the progress of your application, will automatically be deleted and will not be progressed. Please do not submit your email request more than once.
Please note that requesting the return of your passport will not lead to the quick consideration of your application.
Transfer of residence card or stamp
If you are issued with a new passport and you want your residence card or family member residence stamp transferred to that passport, you will need to make a new application. You must complete the appropriate application form and provide the required supporting documents.
See also
News & updates
Terms explained
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European Economic Area
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.