920,000 British Citizens Held EU Residence Permits in 2025
Eurostat reported that British nationals remained the seventh-largest group of non-EU residents at the end of 2025.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Europe
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Data from Eurostat shows that 920,000 British citizens held residence permits in European Union countries by the end of 2025. These individuals accounted for a portion of the 27.8 million total non-EU citizens residing in the bloc with formal permits.
Why it matters
The statistics highlight the enduring presence of British nationals within the EU following the shifts in residency requirements that began after 2021. This data tracks the distribution of these residents across different member states and the primary purposes for their permits.
Spain hosted 409,000 British permit holders, followed by France with 172,000 and the Netherlands with 92,000. Of all permits, 94,800 were for employment, 67,400 for family, 16,600 for education, and 738,700 for other reasons.
The players
Eurostat
This is the statistical office of the European Union responsible for publishing high-quality statistics for Europe.
The details
British citizens ranked as the seventh largest group of non-EU nationals residing in the EU as of December 31, 2025. The figures specifically track individuals holding formal residence permits and do not include those who have obtained citizenship in an EU member state.
Timeline
Eurostat began tracking UK-specific residence permit data in 2021.
The statistics represent the residency status as of the end of 2025.
Travel Outlook
This data captures the long-term residency landscape following the end of freedom of movement for British citizens. It reflects the post-Brexit reality where British residents must hold formal permits, contrasting with historical EU travel and settlement patterns.
For British citizens living or planning to move to the EU, these figures underscore the necessity of maintaining valid residence permits to reside in member states legally. Travelers should ensure they understand specific permit requirements in their destination country to avoid issues with long-term stay limitations.
The takeaway
The data confirms that despite significant changes to residency status, nearly one million British citizens maintained legal ties to EU countries by the end of 2025. Prospective expats should prioritize verifying local permit requirements and documentation processes in their preferred member state.
Further reading
For more information on regional mobility, visit our Europe section.
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