European Union Member States have united on a negotiating mandate to revamp the EU Long-Term Residents Directive, shaping the framework for third-country nationals to attain long-term resident status within the Union.
To qualify as an EU long-term resident, third-country nationals must maintain legal and continuous residence in an EU Member State for a minimum of five years. In alignment with the Council’s stance, the proposed update introduces flexibility by allowing third-country nationals to accumulate residence periods of up to two years in other Member States, facilitating the fulfillment of the required five-year residence period, as reported by SchengenVisaInfo.com.
However, specific conditions will govern this accumulation. The Council has stipulated that only certain types of legal residence permits, such as the EU Blue Card or highly qualified employment permits, will be accepted for applicants who have resided in another Member State.
Prospective long-term residents must meet defined criteria, including providing evidence of stable and regular resources sufficient to support themselves and their families, coupled with maintaining sickness insurance. Integration conditions may also be applicable to third-country nationals seeking long-term resident status.
Once granted, the long-term resident status is permanent. However, the Council underscores that there are circumstances under which it can be withdrawn, such as when an individual has not maintained their primary residence in the EU for a specified period.
A notable feature of EU long-term resident status is the right to intra-EU mobility. Holders of this status are granted the privilege to move and reside in other EU countries for work, study, or other reasons, distinguishing it from national residence systems.
However, this right to intra-EU mobility is not automatic and is subject to certain conditions. Member states may assess their national labor markets if an EU long-term resident relocates from another EU member state for employment.
Beyond mobility, EU long-term residents enjoy equal treatment with EU nationals across various aspects. Eurostat data reveals that by the end of 2020, approximately 23 million nationals from third countries legally resided in the EU, constituting 5.1% of the EU population, with over ten million holding long-term permanent residence permits. The ongoing discussions and potential updates aim to streamline the process for third-country nationals to attain and maintain long-term resident status within the European Union.
