Under Council Directive 2004/81/EC, EU Member States have the option to grant residence permits to third-country nationals who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration, such as smuggling. This ad hoc query seeks to map which Member States have implemented this possibility, and to what extent this residence procedure is used in practice.

Due to the increased need for foreign labour force, Member States are multiplying their negotiations of bilateral agreements and programmes with third countries on labour mobility. In order to have a current state of play and with a view to better coordinate this matter, the European Commission asked EMN Member countries to provide information on any bilateral agreement or programme supporting mobility from third countries.

16 Member States provide information on legislation, responsible authorities, criteria and process and residence permits for victims of trafficking.

Ad Hoc Query, requested by the Austrian NCP on 26 July 2010 concerning enhanced cooperation between member states and certain countries of origin - 18 responses