The European Union Member States have agreed on a negotiating mandate to update the EU Long-Term Residents Directive, which sets out the conditions under which third-country nationals can acquire long-term resident status within the bloc.
In order to be able to become an EU long-term resident, third-country nationals must legally and continuously reside in an EU Member State for a minimum period of five years.
However, in line with the Council position, the update allows third-country nationals to accumulate residence periods of up to two years in other Member States, helping them meet the required five-year residence period.
Still, certain conditions will apply. For applicants who have resided in another Member State, the Council has decided to accept only specific types of legal residence permits, such as EU Blue Card or highly qualified employment.
Applicants seeking long-term resident status in an EU Member State must meet certain criteria. They must provide evidence of stable and regular resources sufficient to support themselves and their families, along with maintaining sickness insurance.
Third-country nationals seeking long-term resident status may also be subject to integration conditions.
Once granted, long-term resident status is permanent. Nonetheless, the Council highlights that there are circumstances in which it can be withdrawn.
Long-term resident status is permanent. However, it can be withdrawn in certain cases, for instance, when a person has not had their main residence in the EU for a certain period of time.
A significant feature of the EU long-term resident status is the right to intra-EU mobility. Differently from national residence systems, those who hold this status are permitted to move and reside in other EU countries for work, study, or other reasons.
Nonetheless, such a right is not automatic and is subject to some conditions.
This right to intra-EU mobility is not an automatic right but is subject to a number of conditions. Such a condition is that member states may assess the situation of their national labour markets in case an EU long-term resident moves to their country from another EU member state for work.
In addition to the above-mentioned, EU long-term residents also enjoy equal treatment with EU nationals in various aspects.
Data provided by Eurostat show that there were around 23 million nationals of third countries legally residing in the EU at the end of 2020, constituting 5.1 per cent of the EU population. Of the total, over ten million held a long-term permanent residence permit.
