Returning to UK from Germany - what do I need?
 

I am a UK national who is currently living in Germany since July 2018 with my German wife and our daughter (who has a UK passport). I have an offer of employment starting 2nd Aug 2021 in the UK and we wish to return in mid July.

I am trying to navigate the gov.uk website to determine how we approach this. It seems it would be a EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit for my wife that would be valid for 4 months, I presume from when she enters the UK. The grey area for me is what comes next, the gov.uk site states "Once in the UK, the British citizens’ family members can apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme" but that this is only valid until 30th June 2021.


My wife lived and worked in the Uk from 2007 until 2017 when our daughter was born and was a housewife until we left for Germany in July 2018 - I am not sure if this has any bearing on what/how we can apply for.

Also to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit, she needs to go to a biometric centre for her fingerprints at a cost of £55 and we are not close to any of the 3 locations in Germany, is this normal?

I hope someone could help me here, have been trying to contact the gov.uk helpline but no-one picks up the phone and I sent an email enquiry 2 weeks ago with no response!

Re: Returning to UK from Germany - what do I need?
 

Has your wife applied to the EU Settlement Scheme?

Re: Returning to UK from Germany - what do I need?
 

Thanks for the reply. No, is that an option whilst we are still in Germany?

Re: Returning to UK from Germany - what do I need?
 

Providing your wife has a National Insurance number then she can apply from Germany. I would try that first before going down the family permit route.

Re: Returning to UK from Germany - what do I need?
 

Great, I will take a look into that. Many thanks BritInParis!