Immigrationboards.com

Hi guys, new here, would be grateful for some advice. In a nutshell- I'm a Latvian citizen, been permanently living in the UK for the last 9 years (if it has any significance- have a long-term partner who is British, we're not married), never worked(never claimed any sorts of benefits either), never applied for ILR(some research years ago told me it wasn't necessary within EU) I'm on Electoral Register though and voted on occasion.
I've recently concerned myself with the thought of what would happen if UK leaves EU and what it'd mean to people like me, as I don't like the uncertainty or it all and the possibility of becoming "illegal immigrant" overnight and what impact it'd have on my very settled life here.
Is becoming a citizen the only "sure way" of making sure you're not going to be in trouble? If so- and I'm sorry if this was asked numerous times before- will the fact that I've never worked here or have ILR make it difficult for me to prove the residency criteria? Do I need to apply for ILR now?
(I'm not worried about becoming a citizen for any other reason apart from the security aspect, infact I'd rather not as the cost is rather significant)

As an EU citizen, you do not have the option to get ILR.

However, after five continuous years of exercising treaty rights, you automatically get PR (permanent resident) status.

Exercising treaty rights means
a) Working
b) Studying (requires either CSI or non-UK EHIC card)
c) Job seeking
d) Self-sufficient (requires CSI)

From the sounds of it, it seems that the only category applicable to you is the last one. The last one requires you to have Comprehensive Sickness Insurance (CSI) for it to count as exercising treaty rights. So, you will need to have had at least five continuous years of having CSI for you to have earned PR status.

If you have not had CSI for five continuous years, you do not have PR and can not apply for citizenship. Also, your right to remain will be on par with that of an alien (non-Commonwealth citizen) if the UK were to leave the EU.

You will not become an illegal immigrant overnight. The UK will have to give two years notice of leaving under the Lisbon treaty and there will be transitional arrangements for people in your position. In a worst case situation, you will likely have to return to Latvia and apply for a visa to stay in the UK.

Thank you for your reply, secret.simon.
Shocking news, I've never even heard of CSI, let alone have it. Always thought something like being on Electoral Register or providing a council tax slip would prove residency if needed to:(