More than 10,000 Bulgarians living in Great Britain who have submitted settled status applications do not meet the requirements, according to information from the British side. Another 264,000 have been approved and will continue living in the country. Because of the difficulties Bulgarians are encountering in applying for settled status, Ivan Kondov, Foreign Ministry permanent secretary held a meeting with British Ambassador to Bulgaria Rob Dixon.

The Bulgarian diplomat stressed that due to the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions many people delayed submission of their applications. In view of this Bulgaria has asked Great Britain for flexibility after 30 June, 2021, the deadline for applying to the settlement scheme, as well as for clear rules what Bulgarian citizens can do after that date.