EU countries issued 3.9 million first residence permits in 2025. That is a 10.1% increase over 2024.
Germany issued 605,292 first residence permits in 2025. That was the second-highest total in the EU.
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Employment Is the Top Reason for EU Residence Permits
Employment and family reunification made up over half of all first residence permits. Both grew faster than the EU average.
Employment was the top reason for a residence permit in the EU. It accounted for 1.3 million first residence permits across the bloc.
| Reason | Permits (2025) | Share | Change vs. 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | 1.3 million | 33.6% | +16.1% |
| Family reunification | 1.1 million | 28.1% | +14.1% |
| Other reasons / international protection | 0.9 million | 22.8% | -0.9% |
| Education | 0.6 million | 15.5% | +9.0% |
The only category to shrink was other reasons for a residence permit. That group includes international protection.
Ukraine led with 335,100 first residence permits among EU nationalities.
India followed with 227,600 first residence permits. That was a record high since 2013.
Morocco ranked third. It recorded 202,100 first residence permits.
Together, the top three countries accounted for about a fifth of all first residence permits issued in the EU.
Germany Ranks Second in the EU for New Residence Permits
Germany issued the second-most first residence permits in the EU. Only Spain issued more, with 635,438 permits.
Poland ranked third. It recorded 467,314 first residence permits.
Italy and France followed. They recorded 433,099 and 377,462 first residence permits, respectively.
Germany also holds the largest stock of valid residence permits in the bloc. By the end of 2025, 5.9 million non-EU citizens held a valid permit.
Syrians, Turks, and Indians are the largest nationality groups among Germany’s valid residence permit holders. Afghan citizens made up 42% of Germany’s first permits granted for other reasons.
