It will become easier to get EU resident status

02.05.2023 The EU plans to make it easier for residents of non-EU countries to move around the bloc and reduce the period of residence in an EU member state before obtaining the status of a long-term resident from five to three years.

The European Parliament has stated that it intends to make these changes, but before they are adopted, the governments of all participating countries must come to an agreement.
Citizens of non-EU countries can technically obtain the status of a long-term resident of the bloc if they have legally lived in one of the EU countries for at least five years. They cannot leave the country for more than six months in a row or for a total of 10 months for the entire period of residence.

They must also confirm the availability of health insurance, as well as a stable source of income. Some countries also require that persons applying for permanent residence pass language or cultural proficiency tests. But most states only issue a national permit, not a permit to enter the EU.

Last year, the European Commission proposed to simplify these rules. And recently, MEPs announced that they want to reduce the period of residence in the bloc for obtaining a residence permit from five years to three. They also stated that people should be able to combine periods of residence in different states to make up the total amount and include time of study, seasonal work or temporary protection (as refugees).

Long-term EU residents will also be able to move to other member states of the bloc without any additional restrictions on work or integration checks. The same status will be granted to dependent children.

However, according to MEPs, people who have a residence permit in an EU country only because of an investment scheme should not have the right to take advantage of these exemptions.

It is assumed that work on the new legislation will be completed by February 2024 - before the next elections to the European Parliament.

Link to source: https://www.euronews.com/travel/2023/04/25/want-to-live-in-the-eu-new-rules-could-make-it-easier-to-...