If you are a European Economic Area (EEA) citizen you can apply for a document to prove your rights to live in the UK as a qualifying person. You are a qualifying person if you meet one of the following:

You are working in the UK

You are studying in the UK

You are self-employed in the UK

You are self-sufficient

You are currently looking for work

You’re usually eligible for a:

Registration certificate if you’ve lived in the UK for less than 5 years

Permanent residence document if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years (or earlier in some situations – for example, if you retired.