UK nationals were given until 30 June to apply for residency in Luxembourg in the wake of Brexit. They risk losing their right to live and work in the country as well as access to social benefits if they fail to register with authorities.

“The protection of citizens’ rights has been a high priority of Luxembourg since the beginning of the Brexit process,” the foreign ministry told Delano in a statement. “Given the sizeable number of people not having submitted their application at the end of the previous deadline of 30 June, and the far-reaching consequences such an omission could entail, it has been decided to postpone the deadline to 31 December 2021.”

More than 490 people have yet to submit their application for residency, the foreign ministry said.

“The authorities will carry out an in-depth analysis of the situation in order to identify possible reasons explaining why the persons concerned have not yet applied for a residence document,” a spokesperson said. Over the past year, UK nationals have been sent two letters of reminder to take action. 

As of 4 June, a total of 3,838 applications had been received by authorities, of which 565 are still being processed. All applications have been accepted so far. 

With Luxembourg extending its deadline to allow latecomers to secure their residency rights, the country “is confident that possible late applications by Luxembourg citizens for the EU settlement scheme in the UK will be handled in a pragmatic and flexible way,” the ministry said.

The UK ambassador to Luxembourg, Fleur Thomas, earlier this month urged UK nationals to submit their paperwork as quickly as possible, saying it it “vital to protect your right to live here, and your future in Luxembourg.”

All UK nationals who arrived in Luxembourg before 1 January this year must apply to update their status. “If you know someone who hasn’t, please encourage them to start the process,” Thomas said.

Updated on 28 June at 9.25am to include statement by the foreign ministry.