Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, at what stage the infringement proceedings against the UK launched by the European Commission under Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on 11 June 2011 are.

The Government does not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.

EU citizens and their family members have the right to enter, live and acquire permanent residence in other Member States when certain conditions are met, as set out in EU law. Where they are exercising Treaty rights as a student, the EU national is required to hold comprehensive sickness insurance and have sufficient resources so as not to become a burden on the social assistance system of the UK. This is irrespective of the level at which they are studying or whether they are affiliated with the National Health Service (NHS). These conditions must have been met if they then become economically active, and later rely on such periods as a student to qualify for permanent residence.