EU Long-Term Residence Status
The EU long-term residence (LTR) status gives a non-EU national who has lived lawfully and continuously in an EU country for 5 years a durable status with rights close to those of EU citizens. This page describes the EU framework rules. Based on the European Commission guidance, September 2026.
What the status is
Under Directive 2003/109/EC, a non-EU national who has resided lawfully and continuously for 5 years in an EU country may be granted long-term resident status. Directive 2011/51/EU extended it to beneficiaries of international protection.
The conditions
- 5 years of lawful and continuous residence in a single EU country.
- Stable and regular income sufficient to support yourself and your family.
- Health insurance.
- Integration measures where the member state requires them.
- Not being a threat to public security or policy.
What it gives you
Rights close to those of EU citizens in areas such as work, education, social security and services, and an easier route to work or study in other member states.
The 2022 recast proposal
On 27 April 2022 the Commission proposed a recast. Its aims include counting residence periods across member states (including for students and temporary-protection beneficiaries), strengthening the rights of long-term residents and their families, aligning EU LTR with national permanent residence, and making circular migration easier. Negotiations are ongoing, so the recast does not yet apply.
National vs EU long-term residence
The EU LTR status is not automatically the same as a country's national permanent residence; the differences are the reason the recast seeks to align them. Check both against the country where you live.
Short stay vs long stay
This concerns the long-stay end. Short stays in the Schengen area are governed separately by the 90/180-day rule.
Frequently asked questions
What is EU long-term residence status?
It is a status under Directive 2003/109/EC giving a non-EU national who has lived lawfully and continuously in an EU country for 5 years a long-term resident status with rights close to those of EU citizens.
Do I get it automatically after 5 years?
No. You must also meet conditions: stable and regular income, health insurance, integration measures where the country requires them, and not being a threat to public security.
Is it the same as national permanent residence?
Not necessarily — the rules differ between national permanent residence and the EU long-term residence status; a 2022 recast proposal seeks to align them.
Has the 2022 recast taken effect?
No. The Commission proposed a recast on 27 April 2022 and negotiations are ongoing, so it does not yet apply.
Do all EU countries run this?
The Directive applies across the EU, but the application authority, documents, fees and processing times are set by each member state.
Is the UK covered?
No. This is an EU framework; the UK is not part of it.
Related: the document translation and copies guide and the guides hub. Note that the short-stay Schengen 90/180 rule is a separate topic.
Source: European Commission / DG HOME, "Long-term residents" page — retrieved 2026-09-29. Application authority, documents, fees and processing times vary by member state, and the recast is not yet in force, so confirm the current position with the relevant member state and the official EU page at the time you apply.