Long-Term Residents Directive. Recast

It affects non-EU nationals legally settled in EU Member States, their family members, and employers seeking to hire mobile non-EU workers already long-term resident in the EU.

• Allows residence periods in different Member States to count toward the five-year requirement.
• Counts more lawful residence periods, including study, temporary protection, and temporary-status residence.
• Strengthens equal treatment rights, including private housing access and broader social protection.
• Eases movement to a second Member State by removing labour-market checks and quotas.

Takes effect

The Directive enters into force on the twentieth day following publication in the Official Journal.

Transitional law

Directive 2003/109/EC is repealed once the transposition deadline for the recast Directive has passed.

• Directive 2003/109/EC (32003L0109)
  • entire act: repeals the entire directive as part of the recast
• Directive 2003/86/EC (32003L0086)
  • art. 4(1): derogates from third subparagraph on integration conditions for family reunification
  • art. 7(2): derogates from first subparagraph on integration measures for family reunification
  • art. 5(4): derogates from first subparagraph by setting a 90-day decision deadline
  • art. 14(2): derogates by barring labour market examination for family members
  • art. 15(1): derogates by cumulating residence in different Member States for autonomous permits