In 2022, the European Union issued approximately 3.7 million first residence permits to non-EU citizens, marking a significant 26% increase compared to 2021, with 753,445 more permits
granted. This figure represents the highest number of permits recorded since 2009, surpassing even the pre-pandemic levels observed in 2019, which stood at 3.0 million.
According to data published by Eurostat, the majority of these permits were issued for "employment reasons," accounting for 42% of the total, with approximately 1.6 million permits granted. This figure shows an 18% increase compared to 2021, totaling 243,617 more permits. Other significant reasons for issuing permits were "family reasons" (24%), "other reasons" (21%), which includes international protection, and "education reasons" (13%). Comparing these figures to 2021, it is evident that "other reasons" experienced the most substantial increase at 37% (209,074 permits), followed by "education reasons" at 33% (117,230 permits), and "family reasons" at 26% (183,524 permits).
Germany topped the list of EU countries issuing first residence permits, granting 538,690 permits, which accounted for 15% of the total permits issued in the EU. Other countries that issued a significant number of permits included Spain with 457,412 permits (12% of the total), Italy with 337,788 permits (9%), and France with 324,200 permits (9%).
Notably, Germany witnessed the largest relative increase in the total number of permits issued in 2022 compared to 2021, recording a staggering 190% increase (from 185,570 to 538,690 permits). This surge was primarily due to the higher number of permits issued for family and other reasons. Following Germany, Malta saw a 164% increase (from 14,358 to 37,851 permits), and Ireland experienced a 146% increase (from 34,935 to 85,793 permits). On the other hand, Czechia experienced a decrease of 28% (from 74,395 to 53,809 permits), Slovakia witnessed a 6% decrease (from 29,067 to 27,441 permits), and Hungary experienced a marginal 1% decrease (from 58,115 to 57,286 permits).
Regarding the destinations for work, Spain led the way with 145,314 permits issued, followed by Germany with 81,795 permits, and Italy with 66,791 permits. For family-related reasons, Germany granted the highest number of permits (188,367), followed by Spain (168,804) and Italy (131,275). Additionally, Germany issued the most permits for "other reasons" (198,456), followed by Italy (114,256). France topped the list for "education-related" permits with 104,777 permits, trailed by Germany (70,072) and Spain (58,636). Photo by Carlos Goulão, Wikimedia commons.