Some of your Questions:

Q. What is a long-term resident?

A long-term resident is a citizen from a country outside the EU who has been given long-term resident status. This status means that the person will have similar rights as EU citizens.

Q. What conditions must I fulfil to get long-term resident status?

If you have resided legally for an uninterrupted period of five years in an EU country, you can apply to become a long-term resident.
You must demonstrate that you have:

  • Stable and sufficient financial resources
  • Health insurance
Some EU countries may also request that you fulfil certain integration conditions, such as tests for language or about the country you are moving to. You may have to show that you have accommodation suitable to receive your family.

Q. Can I leave the host EU country during the five-year period before I fill out my application?

Yes. You can spend periods shorter than six months in a row abroad, if those periods do not add up to more than ten months in total during the necessary five-year period before you hand in your application. Such periods outside you host country will not be considered as interruptions when calculating the duration of your residence.

In some exceptional circumstances, longer periods of absence may also be treated as not interrupting your residence. Depending on national law, these could include time spent outside your host country for military service, serious illness, maternity care, research or study.

Q. How do I apply to become a long-term resident?

You apply to the competent national authorities with the necessary documentation to prove your length of residence and the other conditions outlined above.

Q. I have submitted my application. What happens next?

If your application is successful you will be granted long-term resident status and issued with a long-term resident’s permit. In general, you should be informed of the decision within six months of sending in your application.

Q. How long can I stay?

Your long-term resident status does not have any fixed end. As regards your residence permit, it will be valid for at least five years and is automatically renewable on expiry.

Q. Can my application be refused?

Yes. Countries can refuse to grant you long-term resident status if you do not fulfil the necessary conditions or if you represent a threat to public policy or public security.

Q. Under what circumstances could I lose my long-term resident status?

You could lose your status if:

  • Your application was based on false information or documents
  • You represent a serious threat to public security or public policy
  • You have been absent from EU territory for more than 12 months in a row
  • You have become a long-term resident in another EU country

The competent national authorities will inform you of their decision to refuse or withdraw your long-term residence status and will give reasons for their decision.

Q. May I argue against a decision to refuse or withdraw my long-term resident status?

Yes. You will have the right to legally challenge a decision to refuse your application for long-term resident status or a decision to refuse or withdraw your long term resident’s permit.

Q. What rights would I get as a long-term resident?

As a long-term resident you have the right to be treated equally with the citizens of the host EU country in the following areas:

  • Access to employment and self-employment (this may not apply for some activities which are only for nationals or EU citizens, such as access to some positions in the public administration)
  • Conditions of employment and work
  • Education and work-related training, including study grants
  • Recognition of diplomas and qualifications
  • Social protection, social assistance and social security as defined by national law (EU countries can limit this to basic benefits only, such as the minimum income)
  • Tax benefits
  • Access to goods and services (e.g. transport, museums, restaurants, etc.)
  • Freedom of association and trade union membership
  • Free access to the entire territory of the EU host country

Q. As a long-term resident in one EU country, can I live and work in a second EU country?

Yes. You can stay in a second EU country for more than three months for purposes including work, study or training, if you apply for and are granted a residence permit in this second country. To obtain a residence permit for a second EU country, you may have to show that you have one or more of the following:

  • Stable and regular financial resources to maintain yourself and your family
  • Sufficient health insurance
  • Appropriate accommodation
  • If you wish to take up a job, evidence of employment
  • If you are self-employed, evidence that you have sufficient financial funds
  • If you wish to study or train, proof that you are registered to do so

You may also be required to comply with integration measures such as language requirements.


The second EU country may set a quota on the number of residence permits it issues. This could mean that your application may be refused if this quota has been met, even if you fulfil the appropriate conditions. The second EU country can also examine the labour market situation before allowing you to work, giving preference to persons already staying there legally.

Q. Will I have any rights in the second EU country?

Yes. Once you get a residence permit for the second country, you are entitled to equal treatment with citizens of that country. Some restrictions as regards access to labour market can be applied for one year. You can also bring your family members with you if the family was already joined together in the first country.

Q. Can I move between EU countries during my short-term visit – less than three months?

If you have entered an EU country with a Schengen visa, you can travel throughout the Schengen area for as long as your visa is valid, and for a maximum of three months during a six-month period. You will not need a separate visa for each Schengen area country and you will not need to show your passport at each internal border.


The borderless Schengen area includes 22 EU countries, excluding Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the UK. If you wish to travel to one of these five countries for a short stay (less than three months), you must get a separate national visa. If you wish to travel from one of these five countries to the Schengen area, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa. Select the EU country of interest on this map for more information.

Q. Can I move between EU countries during my long-term visit – less than three months?

When you stay in an EU country for a long stay, usually for more than three months, you will generally be issued with a national long-stay visa and/or a residence permit. If your long-stay visa or permit has been issued by a Schengen area country, you can travel to another Schengen area country for three months per six-month period. You must:

  • Stable and regular financial resources to maintain yourself and your family
  • justify the purpose of your stay
  • have sufficient financial resources for your stay and return
  • not be considered a threat to public policy, public security or public health

You can also pass through other Schengen area countries on the way to your host country.

To move from one Schengen area country to another for more than three months, you will need a long-term visa and/or a permit for that country. If you wish to work, study or join your family in the second country, you may have to fulfil more national conditions. To travel to a country that is not in the borderless Schengen area, you must get a separate national visa and meet all the necessary conditions.

Q. Any rules for certain categories of non-EU residence permit holders?

Certain categories of non-EU residence permit holders, and their family members, may be able to move more easily from their host EU country to another EU country, where both countries have adopted applicable EU rules.
Students who hold the necessary residence permits may also be able to travel to another EU country under certain conditions.