European Citizens Rights Service

Our European Citizens Rights Service provides tailored support for EU nationals and their family members across Scotland, helping individuals understand and access essential welfare services in their preferred languages. This service primarily serves EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status (or who are eligible for it), including third-country nationals with similar residency rights.

Our team includes three dedicated support workers:

  • Polish-speaking Rights Adviser
  • Romanian-speaking Rights Adviser
  • Lithuanian-speaking Link Worker

In addition to Polish, Romanian, and Lithuanian, we can offer assistance in various other languages through our multilingual volunteer network. This includes support in non-European languages when capacity allows, ensuring that everyone eligible receives accessible support.

Our Services

Our Rights Advisers offer direct, one-on-one advice, guiding clients on key welfare matters related to healthcare, benefits, pensions, employment, and housing. This support focuses on helping clients understand their rights and navigate Scotland’s social systems.

Our Link Worker Service takes a unique approach to supporting clients by helping them connect with relevant existing services. Rather than providing direct advice, our Link Worker offers referral and accompaniment services. This approach is designed to:

  • Understand why clients have been unable to access certain services independently or if previous attempts have not met their needs.
  • Provide support as they navigate these services, ensuring clients feel guided and empowered throughout the process.
  • Offer ongoing assistance to make sure clients receive the services they need, providing a “hand-holding” approach to build their confidence and independence.

How We Can Assist You

  • Benefits Guidance: Support with navigating benefits claims and eligibility requirements.
  • Financial Support and Debt Management: Help accessing financial resources and managing finances (referrals to existing services only).
  • Energy Advice: Tips on reducing bills and managing energy expenses (referrals to existing services only).
  • Housing Support: Assistance with housing concerns and understanding tenancy rights.
  • Employment Guidance: Information on employment rights and opportunities in Scotland.
  • Healthcare Access: Guidance on accessing healthcare services.
  • Pension Information: Support with understanding and accessing pensions.

For individual support, please contact us at welfare@citizensrightsproject.org.

Workshops and Information Sessions

We offer multilingual workshops and information sessions, both online and in-person, for EU citizens seeking practical knowledge about their rights in Scotland. Topics include:

  • Benefits and financial support (including Universal Credit and Social Security Scotland)
  • Debt management
  • Energy advice
  • Housing rights
  • Rights at work
  • Pensions
  • Having/Adopting a baby in Scotland

To register for a workshop or receive updates on upcoming events, please sign up here.

***This service is run with the assistance of funding from the National Lottery, the Robertson Trust and the People’s Postcode Trust.