Background:  

The possibility of obtaining a residence permit as a long-term resident in another EU Member State is established under EU legislation (Directive 2003/109/EC) to grant third-country nationals free movement rights comparable to EEA citizens. In Sweden, between 1.000 and 1.500 long-term residents from other Member States, along with approximately 3.000 family members, are granted residence permits annually. However, the Swedish Migration Agency observed misuse, including sham employment contracts, fraudulent applications, and labour exploitation in low-wage sectors. Because verification controls within the EU mobility framework are based on specific indications rather than systematic employer checks, Sweden launched this ad hoc query to map data, misuse patterns, and preventative verification practices across Member States.

Respondents:  

21 EMN Member Countries (including BE) provided a public answer to this ad hoc query. 

Findings:  

A preliminary analysis of the results of the ad hoc query shows that: 

• Statistical tracking and permit volumes vary substantially across EMN Member Countries: Disaggregated data between status holders and family members is available in only a few EMN Member Countries, with the highest volumes in SE (1.583–2.345 holders; 287–758 family members) and ES (413–510 holders; 33–52 family members). Lower counts were reported by CZ, AT, BG, LT, PL, HR, FR, and FI. Many EMN Member Countries do not track this category separately (BE, DE, EE, LV, LU, NL, SK, SI, CY), while IE has not opted into Directive 2003/109/EC. 
   
• Top nationalities are predominantly non-EU European and Asian nationals: Among EMN Member Countries providing nationality breakdowns (BG, CZ, FI, FR, LT, PL, ES, SE), the most common nationalities between 2023 and 2025 include Ukraine, Pakistan, China, Russia, India, Belarus, Bangladesh, Morocco, Albania, Vietnam, and North Macedonia. 
   
• Detection of misuse is extremely rare, with SE as the primary exception: Most responding EMN Member Countries reported no detected misuse or statistical evidence of fraud. Conversely, SE identified around 20 cases of sham employment between 2023 and 2025 where fake jobs were established within compatriot networks to secure residence permits and family reunification. 
   
• Preventative verifications focus on financial independence, document checks, and status loss: EMN Member Countries apply ex-ante checks and safeguards, including verifying long-term status and travel documents (e.g. DE, SE), inspecting contracts, salaries, and social security (e.g. BE, CY, SE), cross-checking tax, employment, and criminal registries (e.g. LU, HU, ES), conducting interviews (e.g. FI, SE), and revoking permits if fraud occurs or if the original long-term status is lost (e.g. DE, CZ, ES, NL).  

For further details, please read the compilation of answers attached above.