Advocacy and Representation
Understanding the European Migrant Experience in Scotland
According to Scotland’s Census 2022, approximately 4.31% of Scotland’s population was born in European Union (EU) member countries. If we add to this the children of EU nationals born in the UK and those who were born elsewhere but later naturalised as EU nationals, we can assume that at least 1 in 20 people living in Scotland belong to EU communities.
Why the European Migrant Perspective Matters
European communities are a vital part of Scotland’s society. They contribute significantly to the economy, working across key sectors such as hospitality, health and social care, agriculture, and construction. They also play an essential role in delivering public services, while at the same time relying on those very services as residents and families building their futures here. However, their value should not be measured solely by their contributions; as members of society, they deserve recognition, inclusion, and consideration simply as human beings who call Scotland home.
At the same time, EU communities are incredibly diverse—shaped by different cultures, languages, histories, and migration journeys. Their experiences in Scotland are not uniform and are influenced by factors such as ethnicity, religion, and systemic barriers. Furthermore, through our work with the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), we also support third-country nationals (TCNs) whose residency depends on their relationship with EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens. Because of this dependency, they too shape the EU migrant experience in Scotland, facing many of the same barriers—such as immigration insecurity and difficulties accessing rights—while also navigating additional challenges unique to their status.
While the migrants we support often share common challenges with their Scottish peers – such as low pay, insecure work, or difficulties accessing housing – they also face additional barriers. Language difficulties, insecure immigration status, discrimination, and a lack of understanding of their rights can all place them at greater disadvantage. Moreover, being far from their close family, friends, and support networks can further contribute to isolation and hardship.
To build a fairer, more inclusive Scotland, it is crucial to understand these unique experiences. By listening to the voices of EU communities, we can shape policies and services that work better for everyone – creating a society where all individuals, regardless of their background, can thrive.
Amplifying the Voices of European Communities
We are proud to play an active role in ensuring that the voices of European communities are heard and valued in shaping policies and decisions. Large organisations, including government bodies, research institutions, and universities, often approach us for support in reaching the migrant communities we work with. In response, we help facilitate focus groups in different languages and connect them with individuals whose experiences and perspectives can contribute meaningfully to consultations and research.
Sometimes, our role involves actively identifying and reaching out to individuals who we believe could provide valuable insights. For example, when a research project or consultation is taking place, we assess whether any of our clients or community members would be a good fit and invite them to participate.
Our work has included supporting engagement in key consultations such as:
Human Rights Bill
consultations
We were approached twice by the Human Rights Consortium in Scotland to help gather input from European communities.
Fair Work Convention
– Hospitality Inquiry
We assisted in connecting migrant workers to the consultation process.
Scottish Covid-19
Inquiry
We were invited to contribute by facilitating discussions among EU migrants to ensure their experiences were represented.
Anti-Racism Observatory in Scotland consultations
Unlike other consultations where we were invited to assist, we recognised the importance of EU communities’ voices in anti-racism efforts and proactively applied for funding to conduct targeted consultations.
Through these initiatives, we have built trusted relationships within migrant communities and developed the skills to create safe and inclusive spaces where individuals can share their experiences and views. We are a trusted bridge between communities and decision-makers, ensuring that the lived realities of migrants inform policies and research.
Insights from Our Work with EU Migrants
Through years of providing dedicated support to vulnerable EU nationals, we have built a deep understanding of the challenges they face and the barriers they encounter. This hands-on experience has allowed us to identify key issues affecting migrant communities, leading to the development of several in-depth reports based on data gathered from our frontline casework.
We are committed to using this knowledge to drive positive change. We welcome opportunities to collaborate with researchers and policymakers who are seeking to better understand the migrant perspective on crucial topics such as access to public services, citizens’ rights, and promoting inclusion and diversity. By working together, we can help shape policies and practices that truly reflect the needs of our diverse communities.
Find below some of our reports, developed as a reflection of our day-to-day work with migrant communities.
Citizens Rights Project Link Service: Empowering European Migrant Communities: Preventing Poverty and Tackling Financial Trauma in Scotland [JANUARY 2025]
This report highlights the transformative impact of the Citizens Rights Project Link Service in supporting EU migrants and their families across Scotland. From August 2023 to December 2024, the service addressed critical issues such as financial hardship, systemic barriers, and complex challenges like housing disputes, Universal Credit appeals, and employment rights.
By providing multilingual, holistic support and bridging gaps in service provision, nearly 200 individuals have benefited from this service, either through direct support, queries addressed, or attending information sessions and workshops, and reached more than 37,000 people through awareness initiatives. The report showcases inspiring case studies, systemic challenges faced by migrants, and the need for sustained funding to continue empowering communities and preventing financial trauma. Read the full report to discover the difference we’re making and how you can support our mission.
Supporting EU migrants in Scotland: The Ongoing Impact of Brexit on Rights, Welfare, and Inclusion [NOVEMBER 2024]
This briefing provides a comprehensive analysis of the ongoing impact of Brexit on the rights, welfare, and inclusion of EU migrants in Scotland. It highlights the challenges faced by individuals navigating the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), accessing essential services, and combating misinformation and discrimination. Readers will gain insights into the work of the Citizens Rights Project (CRP), including its support for late EUSS applications, assistance with welfare and financial inclusion, advocacy for vulnerable migrants, and the broader implications of post-Brexit policies. The briefing underscores the urgency of addressing these issues to ensure the well-being and integration of EU nationals in Scotland.
Human Rights Consortium Scotland Response to the Scottish Government’s “A Human Rights Bill for Scotland: consultation” – MIGRANT FOCUS [October 2023]
This response is a report of the different views and experiences of community conversations of migrants to contribute to the development of the Human Rights Bill for Scotland, in the hope that the Scottish Government can take into account their lived experience in relation to their human rights and in accessing the services providing these to shape the Human Rights Bill and its implementation. These community conversations initially focused on access to information, advice and advocacy; accessing public services; and on access to justice or complaints procedures and remedies when human rights are not met. Conversations grew branches into several other topics and themes of the consultation questions.
Scottish Human Rights Bill Consultation – Lived Experiences of EU migrants in Scotland [October 2023]
The Citizens Rights Project conducted a series of four discussions in September, specifically engaging with EU migrants. These conversations were undertaken to gather insights and information to contribute to a report by the Human Rights Consortium Scotland. This report was then submitted as part of the consultation process regarding the new Human Rights Bill for Scotland. This report do not encompass any analytical or reflective examination of the responses received. Instead, they faithfully reproduce the experiences, ideas, and comments shared by the participants.
Report analysis on late applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme supported by Citizens Rights Project advisers [January 2023]
This report gathers case studies of late applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme and the barriers and vulnerable situations some people face when submitting an application. It highlights that in most cases late applicants are eligible to apply and that people tends to submit more than one application because they struggle with the process, rather than because they want to trick the system.
Citizens Rights Project – Our experience providing EU Settlement Scheme outreach and support after the deadline [August 2022]
In July 2020, Citizens Rights Project produced the document “EU Settlement Scheme: Citizen Report”1, to respond to the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) call for evidence to make recommendations to the Home Secretary regarding the EU Settlement Scheme overall governance, efficiency and communication.
This report looks back to that document to analyse whether the issues identified, and the recommendations made are still relevant today.
A physical proof for EU citizens with pre-settled or settled status: findings of the survey [April 2022]
On 16th November 2021 we launched the survey “Would EU citizens benefit from a physical proof of their pre-settled or settled status?”. This report gathers the findings of the 717 responses received to conclude that citizens with pre-setttled and settled status in Scotland want a physical proof of their immigration status on top of their digital profile. It also includes information about the reasons behind that demand and issues faced by EU migrants and their family members due to the lack of physical evidence.
You can read a summary of the report here.
Manifiesto conjunto sobre la pérdida de derechos tras el Brexit [Nov 2021]
A paper on the situation and issues faced by the Spanish community in the UK after Brexit put together by several organisations and immigration experts across the four nations, including the Citizens Rights Project. This paper also include recommendations. It has been shared with authorities from the Spanish State in Spain and the UK.
Human Rights For All: Some Recommendations for the Scottish Human Rights Bill on Protecting migrants’ human rights [October 2021]
The new report ‘Human Rights for All: Some recommendations for the Scottish Human Rights Bill on protecting migrants’ human rights‘ is now available. This was part of a project coordinated by the Human Rights Consortium Scotland, aimed to exploring what is necessary to ensure that the upcoming enhanced Scottish human rights framework improves the realisation of rights for people who have migrated to Scotland. Citizens Rights Project was one of the organisations consulted for this report. We held conversations with migrant communities in Spanish, Italian, Romanian and Polish. These fed some of the conclusions and recommendations included in this report. You can access the full report in the link at left hand side of the page, or read a summary here.
Asking some important questions: A collation of Scottish Civil Society Questions for UK and Scottish Governments after UK Withdrawal from the EU [September 2021]
The Citizens Rights Project has joined other Scottish civil society organisations in Scotland to help in the collation of questions for UK and Scottish Government after UK withdrawal from the European Union. In particular, we have helped with questions related to the protection of EU citizens.
This report provides a useful summary of these key concerns that should inform future work amongst, and with, Scottish civil society on the impacts of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
It was coordinated and written by Human Rights Consortium Scotland and the Scottish Universities Legal Network on Europe (SULNE) as part of their partnership Civil Society Brexit Project, funded by The Legal Education Foundation.
Issues with the EU Settlement Scheme and EU citizens’ rights report
[June 2021]
A report about the difficulties and issues that EU citizens could face after the deadline to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme on June 30, 2021.
EU citizens’ access to welfare benefits and pensions
[March 2021]
Research briefing on access to welfare benefits and pensions for EU citizens with pre-settled and settled status prepared by Nina Miller Westoby, a socio-legal researcher based at the University of Glasgow.
This paper addresses a number of questions relating to the welfare benefits and pension entitlements of European Union citizens who began living in Scotland (or the UK) before the end of the transition period (31 December 2020) and who continue to live here. The Withdrawal Agreement (WA) governs the rights of this group of Union citizens.
EU Settlement Scheme: Citizen Report [July 2020]
We submitted the report EU Settlement Scheme: Citizen Report to the Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) at the end of July 2020, in response to their “call for evidence”, which will make recommendations to the Home Secretary Regarding the EUSS overall governance, efficiency and communication.
We investigated the experiences of EU nationals when applying for the EUSS and reported on our findings, as wells as concerns, recommendations and needs when raising awareness online and face-to-face around Scotland, among citizens, but also representatives, local authorities and third sector organisations.
This report describes the findings of that exercise, which were obtained via a combination of direct communication and an online survey ‘Let’s Settle This’. It gives valuable insight into how participants have experience the EUSS, some of whom are vulnerable or have faced challenges due to a lack of service provision or awareness of those challenges.
EU Settled Status: lessons from Scotland [June 2019]
The insights from this paper derive from the work undertaken by the Citizens Rights Project in Scotland between February 2018 and April 2019.
The Citizens Rights Project was launched in February 2018 and was initially funded by the European Commission Representation in Scotland (February-May and September-October 2018), and next by the Scottish Government (September-December 2018). The project aims at raising awareness of EU citizens’ rights after Brexit and delivers information and advice on these through public events in various parts of Scotland.
Brexit and EU citizens’ in Scotland: Impacts, challenges and support needs [January 2019]
What support do EU citizens in Scotland need to deal with Brexit? What challenges related to Brexit do they and those working with them currently face? To what extent are they aware of their rights post-Brexit? What longer term challenges but also opportunities do EU Citizens in Scotland expect in result of Brexit?
To help answer these questions we launched a research project. It involved community consultations and focus group discussions on issues raised by Brexit and the resultant longer term opportunities and challenges for EU27 citizens in Scotland. The preliminary report was presented to central and local government, other key decisions makers, and to Scotland’s civic society more generally, who contributed to the research on an event on 10.12.2018 in Edinburgh.
The study was led by Dr. Paulina Trevena, an experienced researcher who specialises in EU migration to the UK and Scotland.