The EU’s four-page position paper on citizens’ rights calls for the “same level of protection as set out in union law at the date of withdrawal of EU-27 citizens in the U.K. and of U.K. nationals in EU-27.”

“We want to negotiate in a good spirit and we know that we want to continue working together with Britain,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters on the way into the summit. BRUSSELS: British Prime Minister Theresa May said Thursday she would set out plans at a Brussels summit to "protect" the rights of European Union citizens living in the UK after Brexit "What I'm going to be setting out today is clearly how the UK proposes to protect the rights of EU citizens in the UK, and see the rights of UK citizens living in Europe protected," May said as she arrived at the two-day meeting of EU leaders. Under Mrs May’s plans, unveiled on the eve of the anniversary of the Brexit referendum, EU nationals who have lived in the UK for five years by a specific cut-off date will be given the chance to take up ‘settled status’, granting them rights to stay in the country and receive healthcare, education, welfare and pensions as if they were British citizens. "Her proposal doesn't go anywhere near giving the three million EU citizens living in Britain -- one million of whom are Londoners -- the certainty they need to make long-term plans for themselves or their families." She told EU leaders: “The commitment that we make to EU citizens will be enshrined in UK law and will be enforced through our highly respected courts.” The British offer stands only on the basis that a reciprocal one is made for UK citizens living in EU countries, Downing Street has indicated. The plans were outlined at a European Council summit in Brussels and included that citizens arriving after an unspecified cut-off date but before the actual date that the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 would have a "grace period" where they must regularise their immigration status.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces that citizens of the European Union living in the United Kingdom will be able to acquire a "UK settled status" after the UK leaves the EU.