The EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement protects almost 6 million EU citizens living in the UK and about 1 million UK nationals living in the EU.

Omissions

• The UK figure of roughly 5.7–5.8 million covers EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens and their eligible family members (including non-EU family members), not 'EU citizens' alone, so the headcount of EU citizens proper is lower.
• The figure measures residence status grants/beneficiaries under the EU Settlement Scheme (cumulative, including late applications), not a current residence census; the UK's Office for National Statistics/Migration Observatory estimates of EU nationals actually living in the UK are lower and declining (net EU migration to the UK was negative in the year to mid-2025).
• At end-2025 an estimated 1.4 million people still held pre-settled status, i.e. the status mix is still in transition.
• The claim speaks of persons 'protected' by the Withdrawal Agreement; the ~1 million UK nationals figure is the Commission's estimate of UK nationals and family members residing in host EU states, a large part of whom live in Member States with declaratory (non-mandatory registration) systems, so exact beneficiary counts are not published.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission — Citizens' rights (EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement)"According to the latest UK data, around 5,7 million EU citizens and their family members were granted a residence status under the Withdrawal Agreement in the UK" and "According to latest data, around 1 million UK nationals and their family members reside in their host EU States (most in Spain, France, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands)."
• PrimaryGOV.UK — EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status automation update, April 2026"The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) reflects these obligations and by the end of 2025 had provided over 5.8 million EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens, and their eligible family members, with the immigration status they need to live in the UK." / "At the end of 2025, an estimated 1.4 million people held pre-settled status."