EU long-term resident status
EU long-term resident status allows non-EU citizens who have been in the EU legally for five continuous years to stay and work in the EU for an indefinite period. It was introduced in 2003 as a means to better integrate non-EU citizens. Once someone has been granted the status, they can move and work anywhere within the EU.
In order to be eligible for the EU long-term resident status, non-EU citizens must prove that they are able to financially support themselves and their family. Once an application has been filed, national authorities have six months to issue their decision. An application can be rejected for reasons related to security or public policy, but not for economic reasons.
If the application is approved, the non-EU citizen will be granted a five-year residence permit which will be renewed automatically. Recognised long-term residents have the right to equal treatment with the country’s nationals in areas such as employment, education and social security.
The laws on the EU long-term resident status do not apply in Denmark and Ireland.
Recognising migrants’ qualifications
In 2019, about 48% of highly-skilled migrants worked in low or medium skilled jobs, compared with just 20% of EU citizens. The most common form of occupation is as a cleaner or domestic helper, while 62% of computer programming firms and 43% of construction companies are reporting labour shortages.
In a 2021 resolution, MEPs called for EU rules recognising the qualifications of migrant workers in a quicker, fairer and more streamlined manner across the EU.
In November 2023, the Commission issued a recommendation saying said that countries should work to reduce barriers to the recognition of skills and qualifications that make it difficult for people to legally migrate to that country.
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