As of 2012, Britons must earn more than £18,600 a year before a husband or wife from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) can settle in the UK with them. Do you think people from abroad who marry a British citizen should have the right to come and live in Britain with their spouse regardless of income, or should they only be allowed to come and live here if their spouse earns enough money to support them?

As of 2012, Britons must earn more than £18,600 a year before a husband or wife from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) can settle in the UK with them. Do you think people from abroad who marry a British citizen should have the right to come and live in Britain with their spouse regardless of income, or should they only be allowed to come and live here if their spouse earns enough money to support them? Published on 22 February 2017 → Survey conducted on 22 February 2017 on 5102 GB adults

All adults

Region

Gender

Politics

Age

Should have the right to come and live here with their spouse regardless of income

22%

Should only be able to come and live here if their spouse earns enough to support them

61%

Don’t know

17%

Should have the right to come and live here with their spouse regardless of income

22%

Should only be able to come and live here if their spouse earns enough to support them

61%

Don’t know

17%

Select a country

Would you support or oppose increasing the amount of time that migrants have to live in the UK before they are legally entitled to stay on a permanent basis?

Business Sentiment Tracker: Businesses lack confidence in the UK economy – but back themselves to succeed

Can stablecoins find an audience in the UK?

UK financial outlook 2026: Consumer spending trends, budgeting habits and financial expectations

From awareness to action: how effectively do the world’s top brands convert?

British banking preferences revealed: digital vs in-person

UK financial services round-up: trends and insights 2025

How high is the demand for subscription-style insurance in Britain?

Britons might use AI in financial service but not for advice