Italian Couple's Bank Accounts Frozen Due to Post-Brexit Regulations

An Italian restaurateur and his British wife faced their bank accounts being suddenly frozen after 15 years due to harsh post-Brexit measures, allegedly to deter immigrants from staying in the UK. Despite over two decades of residing and paying taxes in the UK, they, like many EU nationals, discovered their permanent residence cards are now void.

Activists from the EU citizens group the3million highlight the government's controversial stance on EU settled status, which replaces old PR cards. Cases of outright rejection for those with PR cards have surged under the new rules.

Andreea Dumitrache of the3million condemns the lack of leniency for those unaware they had to reapply under the settlement scheme. Over 4,000 late statuses were granted monthly until changes in August made the process more stringent.

Dee and Massimo, who preferred not to disclose their full names, were unaware of their predicament until their bank cut them off just as they were transitioning their business to Belfast from Kent. The blockage led to their restaurant closing temporarily.

The situation left Massimo feeling alienated in a country he's lived in for over twenty years. In a desperate move, they removed his directorship from their company records, which later resulted in their account being restored, though his personal account remains inaccessible.

Santander is looking into Massimo's complaint, stating no further details. Lawyers cautioned that post-Brexit, Theresa May's "hostile environment" policy would apply to EU citizens, with possible repercussions for businesses and individuals.

Dee fears the impact of these policies could lead to homelessness and further hardships due to rigid legislation and bureaucracy.

As per the EU-UK withdrawal agreement, the UK should uphold the rights of EU citizens who were in the country pre-Brexit. Though the application scheme ended in June 2021, late applications were accepted for valid reasons until rules were tightened in August, discounting unawareness as a valid reason.

The3million urges the government to revoke the rule change, arguing it clashes with the Brexit agreement's spirit. They criticize the Home Office for hastily denying applications without appeal opportunities, stripping EU citizens of their established rights.

The Home Office counters that permanent residence documents under EU law became obsolete after June 2021, and despite a largely advertised scheme, they continue to process late applications if justifiably delayed.