Recap: These Schengen Countries Changed Their Rules for Residence Permit Applicants in 2024

Many changes to the immigration system of EU countries have been implemented throughout 2024. Many of these measures aim to improve market gaps and the need for foreign workers, especially in countries with serious labour shortages.

However, some EU countries had to tighten rules for residence permits, adopt restrictions, or even add requirements for those who want to become residents of EU countries. Many of these changes are made to improve foreigners’ integration into their respective communities. 

Based on reports collected throughout 2024, Schengen.News presents changes made to residence permit policies across some of the 27 EU countries, as follows: 

Germany 
Due to labour shortages, Germany has enhanced efforts to attract more workers to the country. The changes introduced throughout 2024 include the Opportunity Card, also known as the Chancenkarte, which became effective on June 1, 2024. 

The system is point-based, allowing foreigners who are eligible to move to Germany easily. Candidates for Chancenkarte have to meet the following requirements:

• Valid professional qualifications or a university degree. 
• Work experience. 
• Basic German or English language skills, with the language skills depending on the sector. 
• Being under 35 years of age. 
• Financial stability to support yourself during the job search. 

In addition, the German government streamlined the recognition process for foreign qualifications, which increased the chances of hiring foreign workers across different sectors of the German economy. 

Since 2024, foreigners have had longer periods of time available to search for jobs, making Germany a more attractive country to move to. 

On the other hand, the German government has hiked the salary requirement for EU Blue Card applicants, with new rates applying in 2025. The new measure requires candidates with jobs at German companies to earn a gross annual income of €48,300, which is over €4,000 per month. 

This amount could be different, depending also on the type of job that the applicant has. For example, for bottleneck professions, the income threshold has to be around €43,000. 

France 
While Germany facilitated some rules for non-EU citizens with plans to become German residents, France tightened rules for this category of migrants. One of the changes expected in 2025 is related to the multi-year residence permit applicants. Once new measures become effective, the A2 level of the French language will become mandatory for residence permit candidates to be eligible to obtain certain residence permits. Ten-year residence permits require a B1 level, while more than a B2 level is mandatory for citizenship applicants. 

In addition, France will be allowing undocumented migrants who enter the system to become regularised if they meet certain conditions, such as living continuously in France for at least three years and having two years of work experience in a profession that is experiencing labour shortages in France. The provision will be available throughout 2025. 

The concept of “habitual residence” was clarified throughout 2024, and it was concluded that foreigners who are not physically present in the country for at least three years could risk having their request for residence permit renewal denied. 

Hungary 
Since January 1, 2024, Hungary has introduced a new immigration law that imposes stricter conditions on residence permits for third-country nationals. 

The Hungarian government raised the number of residence permit types from 18 to 24, with eight of them being for employment purposes alone. In addition, the residence permit for other purposes is no longer available. 

Another change concerns the guest worker residence permit, which will only be granted, by law, to those employed by specified employers, from specified countries, and in specified occupations. 

Moreover, the guest worker permit can now only be extended for up to three years and after this period, a new application must be submitted in order for the permit to be extended. This means that guest workers will not be eligible for permanent residence or family reunification in Hungary. 

Spain 
In December of 2024, the Spanish Congress decided to end its “Golden Visa” programme, which previously granted residence permits to foreign nationals who invested at least 500,000 in real estate or Spanish businesses. 

Other changes implemented from November 2024 will also impact candidates for Spanish residence permits greatly, with some of those being as follows:

• Irregular migrants can apply for regularisation two instead of three years after uninterrupted residence. Between 2025 and 2027, the Spanish government will grant residence permits to 900,000 undocumented migrants in an effort to address labour shortages. 
• Introduction of “Arraigo Sociolaboral,” which is a combination of the previous social and laboral permits, allowing regularisation for migrants that have an offer for jobs with at least 20 hours per week. 
• The second chance, the “Arriago” permit, will allow individuals who lost their residence permits in the last two years due to reasons related to health, public order and security. 
• Applicants for “Arraiago Socioformativo” have more chances to obtain the permit, especially for migrants with vocational training programs. 
• Simplifying the process for candidates applying for family reunification permits. 
• Extended deadlines for job-seeking visas, making the process less stressful for migrants. 

Finland 
The Finnish government introduced several changes for residence permit applicants and holders, some of which were implemented last year and some others entering into force in 2025. 

In September 2024, a new rule removed the right for certain categories of foreign nationals to change their immigration status while in Finland, requiring them to potentially do so from their home countries. 

Identity verification requirements have also been tightened during the same month, while good character has become one of the determining factors for an applicant to obtain permits. 

As of January of this year, applicants for residence permits issued for employment purposes in Finland have to earn a certain amount of income on a monthly basis to be eligible for this type of permit. 

Changes introduced for 2025 will also affect candidates’ finances, as Finland raised fees for residence permits. Since January, applicants for residence permits will have to pay €20 to renew their residence permits in order to enjoy benefits from the temporary protection status. Applying online will cost less (€20), while paper applications are more expensive (€40). In addition, an extension to the deadline for voluntary return costs €100. 

Italy 
One of the key changes that the Italian government made in 2024 included the facilitation of entry procedures for foreign workers, which entered into force in October. 

On the other hand, in December, the authorities tightened rules for family reunification permit candidates. This rule affects foreign nationals who want to bring their family members into the country. 

Due to its labour shortages, Italy increased the work visa quotas for third-country nationals, increasing the number of visas issued from 30,850 in 2019 to 452,000 in the period between 2023 and 2025. 

More Changes for Residence Permit Candidates Introduced by These EU Governments 
Sweden has lowered the income threshold for EU Blue Card applicants, with the decision being effective since January 2025. In an effort to attract highly qualified workers, the Swedish authorities have introduced a new income threshold, which will be 1.25 times the average gross annual salary instead of the previous threshold of 1.5. 

Switzerland has also facilitated its rules for working foreigners with a temporary status. Since June of 2024, holders of temporary status in Switzerland have been permitted to apply for employment residence permits, allowing them to access the Swiss labour market. 

Ireland, too, made some changes regarding residence permit applicants, making the application process for them much simpler. Since November 2024, foreigners in Ireland can renew their residence permits online, a measure that will make the application process more convenient. 

On the other hand, Slovenia tightened its rules for residence permit applicants in 2024, imposing language requirements for permanent residence permit applicants. Those who want to extend their residence obtained for family reunification purposes must also prove basic Slovenian language skills.

Source: https://schengen.news/recap-these-schengen-countries-changed-their-rules-for-residence-permit-applicants-in-2024/