The amount of people granted British citizenship increased by 37% in 2024 compared to 2023, with over 240,000 people being granted British citizenship in the year ending June 2024. This is part of an upward trend that has been seen since June 2020, with more people than ever wanting to gain citizenship in the UK so that they can stay in the country permanently.
You can qualify for British citizenship if you are over the age of 18, prove you have a good knowledge of the English language and you pass the Life in the UK test. Being in the UK exactly five years before the day the Home Office receives your application is also considered essential to be considered for citizenship, and you also must have intent to continue living in the country after being awarded it.
If you have already gained British citizenship, you might be asking yourself ‘what does it really mean?’. This article is here to help you with understanding all of your rights and responsibilities you will have following your citizenship application being accepted.
What Are The Benefits of British Citizenship?
Permanent UK Residency
The most obvious advantage of becoming a British citizen is that you will gain permanent residency in the country without any restrictions. This means that you can leave and return whenever you wish, as long as you have the intention to have the UK remain your main country of residence. While you can purchase property in the UK without being a British citizen, you will need to be one if you're buying a home with the intention of living in it.
Right to Work or Study in the UK
As well as the right to live in the UK, you can also work or study in the UK if you are a British citizen. You are free to take a job with any employer and this can be life-changing for some people who are looking to start a fulfilling career in the country. More people can follow their true job passions when they become a British citizen, which can lead to a better work life balance.
Hold a British Passport
When you hold a British passport, you are permitted to travel to 148 countries across the world without a visa. This makes it one of the most powerful passports in the world, so it’s a huge advantage of becoming a British citizen. You’ll also find it easier to re-enter the UK with a British passport, as you won’t have to go through any immigration checks.
Vote in UK Elections
UK elections are a huge part of British culture with citizens getting the right to vote on who will be running the country for the next several years. Becoming a British citizen allows you to partake in both local and national elections, as you have the responsibility of selecting who you think will be the best candidate for the role.
Access to National Health Service (NHS)
The UK’s publicly funded healthcare system gives free healthcare to all British citizens and means that they don’t have to pay for any checkups or treatments they receive. The Immigration Health Surcharge and private health insurance can both be costly, but these are avoided with British citizenship. You will only pay a small surcharge for things like dental care, prescriptions and eye care.
Ability to Claim Public Funds
Public funds can be claimed if you are a British citizen. The two main types of benefits you can receive after gaining citizenship are Jobseeker’s Allowance and Child Benefits. These can be integral to ensuring that you and your family can live comfortably in the country without serious financial hardship. You can also gain extra support if you are unable to work, disabled or elderly.
Responsibilities of UK Citizens
Being a UK citizen isn’t just about your rights, as you also have responsibilities that you need to follow once your application is successful. You need to abide by all of the UK laws, respect others, treat people with kindness, contribute to the community, protect the environment and participate in democratic processes. All of these ensure that you are behaving as what is expected from a British citizen.
Taxes are a main responsibility of being a British citizen, as you have to ensure that all of your taxes are paid accordingly. There is national insurance, income tax, capital gains tax, VAT and other eligible taxes. HMRC can take further enforcement action if you haven't paid your income tax and haven't made an agreement with them to pay it within the permitted time frame.