The European Parliament has agreed to start discussions on the revision of the conditions for granting permanent residence permits. Recently, a report to that effect appeared.

The EU Council proposes the following measures:

  • Reduce the minimum continuous period of residence under a residence permit in an EU country to obtain a permanent residence permit—from 5 to 3 years.
  • To summarize the periods of living on a residence permit in different EU countries and include them in the total period for obtaining a permanent residence permit. Previously, it was required to live five years in one particular country.
  • Take into account the periods of residence in the EU on long-term and resident visas, temporary protection, residence permits for business trips, seasonal work, au pair, training, and internships.
  • Equate the holders of permanent residence permits with EU citizens, allowing them to move and work freely in any EU country.
  • Reduce the period of consideration of applications for a permanent residence permit to 2 months. Currently, this process can take up to six months.
  • If language skills are required to obtain a permanent residence permit in an EU country, the minimum level of language proficiency should not exceed level A2. In addition, free language courses must be available.

It is important that these changes will not apply to holders of residence permits by investment.

The new version of the directive is expected to be completed by February 2024.