Residence permits – statistics on authorisations to reside and work

Data extracted: 3 October 2024.

Planned article update: October 2025.

Highlights

In 2023, more than 3.9 million non-EU citizens obtained the right to both reside and work in the EU through the single permit administrative procedure.

89 037 highly qualified non-EU workers received an EU Blue Card in 2023, giving them comprehensive socio-economic and residence rights in the EU.

191 840 authorisations for seasonal work were issued to non-EU workers in 2023.

Single permits issued, 2019–2023

All years: excluding Denmark and Ireland as they are not bound by the Single Permit Directive.
2019: Czechia and Greece no data available. Change of status not available for France, Cyprus, and Lithuania.
2020: Czechia and Greece no data available. Change of status not available for Cyprus, and Lithuania.
2021: Greece no data available. Change of status not available for Italy, and Lithuania.
2022-2023: Change of status not available for Greece, Italy, and Lithuania.
Source: Eurostat (online data code: migr_ressing)

This article presents statistics on authorisations to reside and work issued by EU countries on the basis of specific EU directives, which require harmonised rules for non-EU citizens allowing them to receive legal residence and employment rights.

Key findings

In 2023, the number of authorisations issued on the basis of the 5 EU directives presented in this article, reached their highest levels across the EU since their enforcement:

The highest number so far was recorded for single permits issued (more than 3.9 million), followed by authorisations issued for students, researchers and other related categories (nearly 451 000), authorisations for seasonal work (almost 192 000), EU Blue Cards (more than 89 000), and authorisations for intra-corporate transfers (nearly 11 000).
Germany issued the majority of all EU Blue Cards in the EU (69 353 or 77.9% of all EU Blue Cards issued) and the highest number of authorisations for students, researchers and other related categories (144 464 or 32.0%).
With 961 041 single permits, France issued the highest number of such authorisations in the EU (24.4% of the total), Italy with 79 536 issued the highest number of authorisations for seasonal work (41.5%) and the Netherlands with 2 725 issued the highest number of authorisations for intra-corporate transfers (25.2%).

Overview of EU directives at EU and national level

Table 1 shows that single permits represent by far the largest legal path to obtaining residence and working rights in the EU. More than 3.9 million single permits were issued in the EU in 2023, representing a significant number of non-EU citizens benefiting from the simplified procedure of issuing residence rights together with a work permit.

The 4 other types of authorisations refer to specific groups of non-EU citizens being granted the right to work in EU Member States. Nearly 451 000 residence permits were issued under the Student and researchers (SR) Directive, almost 192 000 under the Seasonal Workers (SW) Directive, 89 000 under the EU Blue Card (BC) Directive and nearly 11 000 under the Intra-corporate transfers under the Intra-corporate transfers (ICT) Directive.

Table 1: Residence permits issued under EU Directives, 2023
Source: Eurostat (migr_resbc1), (migr_ressing), (migr_ressw1_1), (migr_resict1_1) and (migr_ressrath)

Single procedure for non-EU citizens to reside and work in the EU

More than 3.9 million single permits were issued in the EU in 2023

After a decrease in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic (see Figure 1), the number of single permits issued increased in the following years, reaching more than 3.9 million single permits issued in 2023, a 9.8% increase compared with 2022. It should be noted that the coverage of totals included in this analysis changed over time. No data available for Czechia (2019-2020), and Greece (2019-2021). Change of status data not available for Lithuania (2019-2023), Cyprus (2019-2020), France (2019), Greece (2022-2023), Italy (2021-2023).

More than 60% of single permits issued in 2023 were extensions of an existing residence permit

In 2023, around two-thirds of single permits issued in the EU were extensions of residence permits (63.1% or 2 487 841), which can be broken down to either renewals (55.8%) or change of status (7.3%) of existing residence permits (see Figure 1). The remaining 36.9% (1 452 149) of single permits were issued for the first time i.e. an inflow in the reporting Member State. More than half of the total number of single permits (63.8%) issued in the EU were issued by 4 Member States in 2023: France (961 041 permits, 24.4% of the total), Spain (583 222, 14.8%), Portugal (544 301, 13.8%) and Italy (426 927, 10.8%) – see Table 1.

Figure 1: Single permits issued, 2019–2023 (million)
Source: Eurostat (migr_ressing)

EU Blue Cards issued to highly qualified non-EU citizens

About 89 000 EU Blue Cards issued in 2023

The number of EU Blue Cards issued in the EU continued to increase between 2013 and 2023, with the exception of 2020 when a decrease of 3.6% was recorded due to the COVID-19 pandemic – see Figure 2. A record number of 89 037 EU Blue Cards were granted to non-EU citizens in 2023, an increase of 8.8% compared with the 81 846 EU Blue Cards granted in 2022. It should be noted that the coverage of totals included in this analysis changed over time. Data not available for Greece (2013-2018), Sweden (2014), Malta (2015), and Portugal (2015). Break in time series was recorded for Germany in 2019.

Figure 2: Blue Cards granted, EU, 2013–2023 (number)
Source: Eurostat (migr_resbc1)

Germany issued 69 353 EU Blue Cards in 2023 (85.8% of all EU Blue Cards issued)

Table 1 shows that, in 2023, the majority of EU Blue Cards in the EU were issued in 4 countries: Germany (69 353, 77.9% of the total), Poland (7 402, 9.2%), France (3 912, 4.8%) and Lithuania (1 710 or 2.1%). Conversely, 6 EU countries issued less than 100 EU Blue Cards in 2023: Malta (31 EU Blue Cards), Greece (28), Portugal (26), Estonia (25), Slovakia (24), Hungary (17) and Cyprus issued no EU Blue Cards.

Citizens of India were granted the highest number of EU Blue Cards in 2023

Figure 3 presents the top 10 countries whose citizens were granted EU Blue Cards in 2023 and accounted for more than two-thirds (67.2%) of the total 89 037 cards issued in the EU in 2023. Of these, 21 228 EU Blue Cards were granted to citizens of India, representing nearly one-quarter of all EU Blue Cards issued in the EU (23.8%). The next largest numbers were for citizens of Russia (9 488 EU Blue Cards, 10.7% of the total), Türkiye (5 803, 6.5%), Belarus (5 294, 5.9%) and Iraq (3 990, 4.5%). More than 2 000 EU Blue Cards were issued to the citizens of China (3 792), Ukraine (2 743), Tunisia (2 575), Egypt (2 529) and Pakistan (2 408).

Figure 3: Share of top 10 non-EU countries whose citizens were granted EU Blue Cards, EU, 2023 (%)
Source: Eurostat (migr_resbc1)

Authorisations for seasonal work

Nearly 192 000 authorisations for seasonal work were issued in 2023

The total number of authorisations for seasonal work granted to non-EU citizens in the EU rose every year from 112 608 in 2019 to 191 840 in 2023. The highest value was recorded in 2023, representing an increase of 22.6% compared with 2022, when 156 476 residence permits for seasonal work were issued. It should be noted that the coverage of totals included in this analysis changed over time. No data available for Belgium (2019-2021), France (2019-2020), and Cyprus (2019-2020).

Figure 4: Authorisations to reside for seasonal work in the EU, 2019-2023 (number)
Source: Eurostat (migr_ressw1_1)

Italy issued 79 536 authorisations for seasonal work in 2023

Table 1 shows that, in 2023, the majority of authorisations for seasonal work in the EU were issued in the following 5 countries: Italy (79 536, 41.5% of the total), France (37 354, 19.5%), Croatia (17 869, 9.3%), Spain (12 554, 6.5%) and Finland (7 842, 4.1%). On the opposite side of the ranking, 2 EU countries issued less than 100 authorisations for seasonal work in 2023: Belgium (99) and Slovakia (42), and no authorisations to reside for seasonal work were issued in Hungary, Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands.

Citizens of Morocco were granted the highest number of authorisations to reside for seasonal work in the EU in 2023

The top 5 countries whose citizens were granted authorisations for seasonal work in 2023 accounted for nearly two-thirds (65.6%) of the total 191 840 authorisations for seasonal work issued in the EU in 2023 - see Figure 5. Of these, 58 547 authorisations were granted to citizens of Morocco, which represented around one-third of all authorisations for seasonal work issued in the EU (30.5% of the total). The next largest numbers and shares were for citizens of Bangladesh (29 249 authorisations for seasonal work, 15.2%), India (22 498, 11.7%), Ukraine (8 693, 4.5%) and Serbia (6 841, 3.6%).

Figure 5: Share of top 5 non-EU countries whose citizens were granted authorisations for seasonal work, EU, 2023 (%)
Source: Eurostat (migr_ressw1_1)

Authorisations for intra-corporate transfers

10 800 authorisations for intra-corporate transfers were issued in 2023

The total number of authorisations for intra-corporate transfer (meaning persons posted from a company operating outside the EU to a branch in one of the EU countries) granted to non-EU citizens fluctuated between 2019 and 2023, with a minimum of 4 903 authorisations recorded in 2020 and a maximum of 10 831 in 2023 – see Figure 6. It should be noted that the coverage of totals included in this analysis changed over time. No data available for Belgium (2019-2021), Czechia (2019-2020), Germany (2019-2020), and Greece (2019). 2023 data is estimated using 2022 data for Croatia.

Following a significant decrease of authorisations for intra-corporate transfers in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic (-46.7%), a substantial increase was registered in the next 2 years: +27.7% in 2021 (6 260 authorisations issued for intra-corporate transfers) and +68.7% in 2022 (10 562 authorisations). 10 831 authorisations to reside for intra-corporate transfers in the EU were granted in 2023, representing an increase of 2.5% in comparison with 2022.

Figure 6: Authorisations to reside for intra-corporate transfers granted in the EU, 2019-2023 (number)
Source: Eurostat (migr_resict1_1)

The Netherlands issued around one-quarter of all authorisations to reside for intra-corporate transfers in 2023

Table 1 shows that, in 2023, most authorisations for intra-corporate transfers granted in the EU were issued by 5 countries: the Netherlands (2 725, 25.2% of the total), Germany (1 942, 17.9%), Hungary (1 909, 17.6%), France (1 540, 14.2%) and Spain (1 109, 10.2%). On the contrary, 6 EU countries issued less than 20 authorisations in 2023: Slovenia (17 authorisations), Belgium (16), Portugal (7), Cyprus (6), Malta (4) and Poland (1), and no authorisation to reside for intra-corporate transfers was issued in Estonia.

Citizens of India were granted the highest number of authorisations to reside for intra-corporate transfers in the EU in 2023

The top 5 countries whose citizens were granted authorisations for intra-corporate transfers in 2023 accounted for nearly three-quarters (74.1%) of the total 10 831 authorisations for intra-corporate transfers issued in the EU in 2023 - see Figure 7. Of these, 3 886 authorisations were granted to citizens of India, which represented 35.9% of all authorisations for intra-corporate transfers issued in the EU. The next largest numbers and shares were for citizens of China (1 558 authorisations for intra-corporate transfers, 14.4% of the total), South Korea (1 301, 12.0%), United Kingdom (647, 6.0%) and the United States (633, 5.8%).

Figure 7: Share of top 5 non-EU countries whose citizens were granted authorisations for intra-corporate transfers, EU, 2023 (%)
Source: Eurostat (migr_resict1_1)

Authorisations for students and researchers (and other related categories)

In 2023, nearly 451 000 of authorisations for study, research and other activities were issued in the EU

The total number of authorisations for study, research and other related activities (authorisations issued to trainees, volunteers, school pupils and au pairs) granted to non-EU citizens in the EU increased between 2021 and 2023 – see Figure 8. In 2021, 331 494 authorisations for students and researchers and other related categories were issued in the EU, followed by an increase in 2022 when 421 974 authorisations were issued (+27.3%). The highest value of 450 777 authorisations for students and researchers and other related categories was recorded in 2023, representing an increase of 6.8% in comparison with 2022. It should be noted that the coverage of totals included in this analysis changed over time. 2021 data not available for Belgium and Greece. 2023 data is estimated using 2022 data for Malta.

Figure 8: Authorisations to reside for study, research and other activities in the EU, 2021-2023 (number)
Source: Eurostat (migr_ressrath)

Germany issued nearly one-third of all authorisations for study, research and other activities in 2023

Table 1 shows that, in 2023, the majority of authorisations for study, research and other activities in the EU were issued in the following 5 countries (79.6%): Germany (144 464, 32.0% of the total), France (116 950, 25.9%), Spain (55 436, 12.3%), the Netherlands (27 922, 6.2%) and Sweden (13 910, 3.1%). On the other side of the ranking, one country issued less than 50 authorisations (Malta, 26 authorisations), and no authorisations to reside for study, research and other activities were issued in Greece.

Citizens of India were granted the highest number of authorisations to reside for study, research and other activities, in the EU in 2023

The top ten countries whose citizens were granted authorisations for study, research and other activities in 2023 accounted for nearly half of the total 450 777 authorisations (47.8%) - see Figure 9. Of these, 50 308 authorisations were granted to citizens of India, which represented 11.2% of all such authorisations in the EU. The next largest numbers were for citizens of China (46 989 authorisations, 10.4%), Morocco (21 871, 4.9%), United States (20 726, 4.6%), Türkiye (16 972, 3.8%), Russia (15 127, 3.4%), Algeria (13 321, 3.0%), Tunisia (10609, 2.4%), Colombia (10289, 2.3%) and Cameroon (9343, 2.1%). All of these ten countries recorded an increase in the last 2 years (2022 and 2023) - See Figure 9. The greatest increase in 2023 in absolute numbers in comparison with 2022 was recorded by citizens of India (+9 962) and China (+4 769).

Figure 9: Top 10 countries whose citizens were granted authorisations for study, research and other activities, EU, 2021-2023 (number)
Source: Eurostat (migr_ressrath)

Source data for tables and graphs

Residence permits – statistics on authorisations to reside and work: tables and figures

Data sources

The statistics presented in this article are collected by Eurostat on the basis of EU legal acts, covering specific areas of the legal migration of non-EU citizens to the EU countries: statistics on Single Permits, statistics on EU Blue Cards, statistics on Intra-Corporate Transfers, statistics on Seasonal Workers and statistics on Students and Researchers and other related categories.

EU directives are European Union (EU) legal acts that are transposed by EU Member States so they become law in the Member States. See more details here: EUR-Lex - European Union directives.

In the context of this article, EU directives refers to the five specific legal acts:

Directive on EU Blue Cards (Directive 2009/50/EC). The EU Blue Card is a work and residence permit for non-EU/EEA nationals and is linked to highly-qualified employment. The EU Blue Card provides comprehensive socio-economic rights and a residence in the EU. Applicants should present a valid work contract or a binding job offer for highly-qualified employment with a duration of at least one year in the EU Member State concerned. This directive was recast in 2021 by the Directive 2021/1883 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment. New data requirements following this recast will become applicable since 2024 reference year.

Directive on Single Permits (Directive 2011/98/EU). A single permit is a combined title within a single administrative act encompassing the right for non-EU citizens to legally work and reside in an EU Member State). Data on single permits cover most permits issued for work under national and EU law, but also permits issued for other reasons where the holder has the right to work.

Directive on Seasonal Workers (Directive 2014/36/EU). The authorisation for the purpose of seasonal work refers to any of the authorisations that entitle the holder to stay and work on the territory of the Member State for seasonal work, usually for limited period of time of maximum three months (or more in specific conditions).

For more technical aspects and guidelines in relation to the collection of these statistics, please refer to definitions and methodological concepts.

Context

The topic of residence permits issued under the EU directives refers to the EU legal migration policy on working area that facilitates a balanced common EU migration policy from which migrants, countries of origin, and countries of destination benefit. These EU legal acts are part of the legal migration policy that support the EU's green and digital transition, while making European societies more cohesive and resilient.

In practice, the EU has developed rules to harmonise Member States' conditions of entry and residence for certain categories of nationals from non-EU countries. This includes entry and residence for labour purposes, such as highly qualified workers, seasonal workers, intra-corporate transfers, students and researchers and other categories. Single permit procedure is also important in this context, expressing the policy that promotes simplified procedure of issuing the residence permits for different reason together with the right to work, helping the integration of migrants and reducing the bureaucracy at the same time.

For further information on these and other measures (seasonal workers and intra-corporate transferees) please refer to the European Commission webpage on labour migration.

Explore further

Database

Managed migration (migr_man), see:

Residence permits (migr_res)

Residence permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resval)

First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst)

First permits issued for family reasons by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfam)

First permits issued for education reasons by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resedu)

First permits issued for remunerated activities by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resocc)

First permits issued for other reasons by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resoth)

Change of immigration status permits by reason and citizenship (migr_reschange)

All valid permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship on 31 December of each year (migr_resvalid)

Long-term residents by citizenship on 31 December of each year (migr_reslong)

Single permits issued by type of decision, length of validity (migr_ressing)

Long-term residents among all non-EU citizens holding residence permits by citizenship on 31 December (%) (migr_resshare)

Long-term residence permits issued during the year (migr_resltr)

First permits issued for family reunification with a beneficiary of protection status (migr_resfrps1)

Permits valid at the end of the year for family reunification with a beneficiary of protection status (migr_resfrps2)

Residence permits by reason, age, sex and citizenship (migr_resage)

First permits by reason, age, sex and citizenship (migr_resfas)

All valid permits by age, sex and citizenship on 31 December of each year (migr_resvas)

Long-term residents by age, sex and citizenship on 31 December of each year (migr_reslas)

Long-term residence permits issued during the year by age, sex and citizenship (migr_resltra)

Change of immigration status permits by age, sex and citizenship (migr_reschst)

EU blue cards (migr_resbcard)

EU blue cards by type of decision, occupation and citizenship (migr_resbc1)

Admitted family members of EU blue card holders by type of decision and citizenship (migr_resbc2)

EU blue card holders and family members by Member State of previous residence (migr_resbc3)

Residence permits for intra-corporate transfer (migr_resictra)

Intra-corporate transferee permits issued, renewed and withdrawn by type of permit, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resict1_1)

Intra-corporate transferee permits issued by type of permit, economic sector and citizenship (migr_resict1_2)

Intra-corporate transferee permits issued by type of permit, length of validity, transferee position and citizenship (migr_resict1_3)

Authorisation for the purpose of the seasonal work (migr_resseaw)

Authorisations for the purpose of seasonal work by status, length of validity, economic sector and citizenship (migr_ressw1_1)

Authorisations issued for the purpose of seasonal work by economic sector, sex and citizenship (migr_ressw2)

Residence permits - Students and Researchers (migr_ressr)

Authorisations for study and research by reason, type of decision, citizenship and length of validity (migr_ressrath)

Authorisations for long-term mobility of researchers by reason, type of decision, citizenship and length of validity (migr_ressrltm)

Thematic section

Managed migration

Publications

Methodology

Residence permits (ESMS metadata file – migr_esms)

External links

European Commission, see:
European Commission – DG Migration and Home Affairs, see:
International Labour Organization (ILO) – labour migration
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – Migration, see:
- International Migration Outlook