On 12 April 2024, the European Council took an important step towards facilitating legal migration for skilled professionals from non-EU countries. The updated Single Permits Directive aims to make the process of obtaining work and residence permits in alliance countries faster, easier and more transparent.
The introduction of a single permit for both the right to work and the right to stay in the EU.
Stricter deadlines for issuing a permit. The time limit for a decision may exceptionally be extended for an additional 30 days in cases of complex applications.
The right to change employers. Single permit holders will be able to change employers without the need to obtain a new document.
Social protection. The update also establishes rules applicable if a single permit holder becomes unemployed. In such cases third-country workers are allowed to remain in the territory of the member state if the total period of unemployment does not exceed three months during the validity of the single permit or six months after two years of the permit.
The employee can submit an application from the territory of a third country or, if he has a valid residence permit, from the EU. If a member state approves the issuance of a single permit, this decision will serve as both a residence permit and a work permit.
The Directive will enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The member states will have to implement the directive into their national legislation within two years.
