The number of new residence permits in the European Union (EU) increased by 2025, by 10.1% (355,350) compared to the previous year, reaching 3.9 million, with citizens of Brazil in fourth place (170,400), and today Eurostat is reporting.
© Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
11/09/2026
by
Lusa
Dand according to the EU statistical office, employment was the main reason for issuing new securities in the EU, representing about one third of the total number of first residence permits issued in 2025 (1.3 million or 33.6%).
Family reasons were the second most common, with 1.1 million new authorisations (28.1%), followed by other reasons, including international protection (900 thousand or 22.8%).
The remaining first titles were issued for reasons related to education (600 thousand, 15.5%).
In comparison with 2024, residence permits for employment increased by 2025, 16.1% those issued for family reasons 14.1% and related to education 9.0%.
The ‘other reasons’ category, including asylum seekers, fell by 0.9%.
Brazilian citizens occupied the fourth place last year of EU residence visas (170,400), after Ukrainians, 335,100, Indians (227,600) and Moroccans (202,100).
A residence permit shall be any valid permit for at least three months issued by the authorities of an EU Member State which allows a third-country national to remain legally in the territory.