Skip to content

Europe Issues 3.57M First Residency Permits to Non-EU Citizens in 2024

Europe saw a surge in residency permits for non-EU citizens in 2024. Top destinations and nationalities reveal global mobility trends.

As we can see in the image there are buildings, traffic signals, windows, few people here and...
As we can see in the image there are buildings, traffic signals, windows, few people here and there, cars and sky.

Europe Issues 3.57M First Residency Permits to Non-EU Citizens in 2024

In 2024, a significant number of non-EU citizens secured first residency permits in Europe, with Germany, France, and Spain emerging as the top destinations. This move was driven by various reasons, including employment, family, education, and other purposes.

Canada led the way among non-EU nations, with 15,400 citizens obtaining first-time permits. France was the most popular choice, attracting 3,461 Canadians. New Zealand followed with 2,701 permits, predominantly for the Netherlands. Australia saw 9,400 citizens secure permits, with the Netherlands, France, and Germany being the favoured destinations.

The trend continued for other nations. In 2024, the EU issued 80,300 permits to US citizens, with Spain being the top choice. South Africa had 10,600 citizens move to Europe, with the Netherlands being the primary destination. Britain saw 43,600 citizens obtain permits, with Spain issuing the most. India had a notable presence, with 192,445 citizens securing permits, predominantly in Germany.

In total, European countries issued 3.57 million first residency permits to non-EU citizens in 2024. This data reflects the ongoing global mobility and the EU's attractiveness for various reasons, including work, family, and education.

Read also: