Chief Minister Howard Quayle has underlined his pledge that EU nationals currently living in the Isle of Man will be welcome after Brexit.

As he confirmed to the House of Keys that there would be no settlement fee for EU nationals who live here, he stressed the island wanted the current 4,000-plus contingent currently in the island to stay.

’I think it is incredibly important that we do state time and time again that EU nationals living in the Isle of Man - I think there are circa 4,200 living on the Isle of Man - are welcome to the Isle of Man,’ he said.

’We wish them to stay, their time already based here will be counted for the five-year settlement scheme period.’

The Isle of Man’s decision to confirm there would be no fee for EU nationals wishing to register for settled status here follows similar moves in the UK and Jersey.

Mr Quayle told MHKs on Tuesday: ’The EU Settlement Scheme is set to fully launch on March 30 2019, the same date as the United Kingdom will launch their scheme.

’Applications to the Isle of Man Settlement Scheme may begin on this date. There will be no fee for the Settlement Scheme application.’

With it still unclear under what terms the UK Government will leave the EU, Mr Quayle also sought to reassure EU nationals living here that they would still be entitled to do so whatever deal is struck.

Residence

’If you are an EU national living on the Isle of Man, then as long as you comply with the five-year term of residence in the Isle of Man you will receive settled status and you will be able to apply for that up to December 31, 2020,’ he said.

’After that, it really will be dependent on what the UK agree - whether they have a hard, non-negotiated Brexit or a negotiated settlement.

’Irrespective of no deal or a deal, we can guarantee that the settlement scheme will continue to run until December 31, 2020, so anyone currently on the Isle of Man, and their family, is absolutely safe.’

Those who have not lived in the island for five years by the end of 2020 are also secure, Mr Quayle said.

’If they have not already got their five years’ residency, they will be counted as being here, and as long as they stay for five years or stay in the UK and the Isle of Man combined for a five-year period, they are welcome and will be allowed to remain without any problems whatsoever.’