Report on the implementation of Directive 2011/98/EU on third-country nationals residing and working in a Member State

Summary:

Report presented on 29 March 2019 by the European Commission on the implementation of Directive 2011/98/EU on a single application procedure for a single permit for third country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third country workers legally residing in a Member State.

Further information:

Directive 2011/98/EU was the sixth directive in the area of legal migration adopted after the Treaty of Amsterdam gave the EU the power to legislate in this field.

The Directive has two main objectives. The first is to facilitate the procedure for a third country national to be admitted for work in a Member State by introducing a single application procedure for a single permit (a combined work and residence permit) and in so doing help to better manage migration flows. In addition, the Directive lays down a number of safeguards in the application procedure.

The Directive’s second main objective is to ensure equal treatment between third country workers and nationals of the Member State of residence. The Directive is therefore a key instrument in EU immigration policy for third country nationals admitted to work or working in the Member States where the Directive applies.

This report gives an overview of the transposition and implementation of the Directive by Member States and identifies possible problematic issues.