EU NATIONALS living in Brighton and Hove have until the end of today to apply to stay in the UK or face losing their rights or even deportation under post-Brexit legislation.

Latest figures show that more than 28,000 of Brighton’s EU citizens have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, with the council running a campaign to ensure others do not miss out.

On Twitter, council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty encouraged applications to the scheme despite it being “humiliating for so many of you who’ve lived here for years”.

“We want you to stay in Brighton and Hove and we need you to apply,” he added.

Due to Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union in January last year, EU citizens and their families no longer automatically have the right to live and work in the UK.

Citizens of the EU who were resident in the country by 31 December 2020 are eligible to apply for free to the Settlement Scheme to ensure they can continue to work, study and access the NHS.

People from Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are also affected, as members of the European Economic Area (EEA).

So far, more than 5.6 million applications have been received from across the country, but roughly 400,000 cases are still pending.

What status can you get?

Those with a successful application to the Settlement scheme will be given either "settled status" or "pre-settled status", depending on how long they have been living in the UK.

Anyone who has lived in Britain continuously for five years or more before 31 December 2020 can be offered "settled status". This allows them to stay in the UK for as long as they like and apply for British citizenship if they are eligible.

While "Pre-settled status" is given to those who have not yet lived in the UK for five years by the end of last year. Those who receive this can stay in the UK for a further five years from the date they get "pre-settled status".

However, they must reapply for "settled status" as soon as they have had five years’ residence in the UK if they wish to remain longer.

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Experts believe there may be as many as 100,000 people who will not make an application by today’s deadline.

The Home Office has said some late applications will be permitted if there is a "reasonable excuse" for the delay, including those in abusive relationships who were prevented from applying, children whose parent or guardian does not apply on their behalf or those without the mental or physical capacity to apply.

Those who do not apply are set to be issued with a 28-day notice, telling them to submit an application or risk being ineligible to work in the UK and access healthcare or benefits.

They may also be unable to rent housing, as English landlords must check the immigration status of their tenants and could face deportation from the country.