Jersey has ‘highest proportion of EU nationals in world’

Friday 16 July 2021

Jersey has the highest proportion of resident EU nationals outside of the European Union than anywhere else in the world, according to newly-released statistics.

The island’s percentage of resident EU nationals sits at 16% - double the UK’s (8%).

Guernsey’s EU population, meanwhile, stands at 7%, while the Isle of Man’s stands at 3%.

The Government shared the finding yesterday as it confirmed the number of applicants to its Settlement Scheme.

The scheme was set up after the UK voted for Brexit - stopping free movement between the UK and Crown Dependencies and Europe on 31 December 2020 – to ensure EU nationals living and working in Jersey prior to this date would be able to continue.

In total, 17,550 applications were received.

The majority were from Portuguese nationals (9,980), followed by Polish (3,219), Romanian (1,765) ad then French (606).

Pictured: Applications by nationality and age group. (GoJ)

Applications were received from all EEA countries, apart from Luxembourg and Liechtenstein.

Most applicants (12,557) were between 31 to 65 years old.

12,524 applications have been granted so far, although the thorough checking process is still underway.

42 have been refused – one of which was “due to failing the criminal threshold”. The remaining refusals, the Government confirmed, was “due to a lack of residency.”

Pictured: A breakdown of the applications that have been processed so far. (GoJ)

The scheme closed on 30 June 2021, but 47 late applications have been received in the first week of July. They will be considered against “reasonable grounds” for a late application.

Jersey's Government will be sharing on individuals granted settled or pre-settled status with the UK Home Office to ensure that UK Border Force recognise those transiting through the UK to Jersey who have the appropriate permission. This will also ensure the UK recognises EU nationals who relocate to the UK.

The figures provide the first formal records of EU nationals living in Jersey. Information was previously received by Consuls who had estimated up to 20,000 living locally.

Carried out earlier this year, the 2021 Census will provide a further detailed breakdown of the island's population. It's expected to be published happen in the autumn.