Residential qualifying period for EEA citizens

[robertw]

Hi,

We all know that the residential qualifying period starts 5 years before the date when UKBA receive our application, and that we have to be present in the UK at the start of the qualifying period.

However, what about EEA citizens?

My understanding is that to be able to apply for citizenship EEA citizens need to complete 12 months of their permanent residency (that is, 5 years + 1 year = 6 years). Does it mean that EEA citizens had to be present 5 or 6 years ago (counting from the date of application)?

[Backer]

5 years.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/briti ... uirements/

[boloney]

5 years.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/briti ... uirements/

In case of Eea Citizen it will be 6 years, person must be freestyle from immigration restrictions for 12 monts and Eea Citizen gets PR after 5 years, so 5 years plus 12 months is 6 years.

[Backer]

I thought the OP asked if he had to be present in the country 5 or 6 years to the day before his application. The answer is 5 years but of course the total required residential period is 6 years out of which at least the last 12 months have to be free of immigration restrictions.