It may soon be easier to become an EU resident under new regulations

At times, the European Union can seem like the cool clique in high school. You won’t be able to integrate into the in-crowd social dynamic unless you’re already one of those who are popular. New rules put forward by the European Commission, however, could make life considerably easier for those living outside of the EU.

Current EU law allows non-EU citizens who have legally lived in an EU member state for at least five years to apply for permanent resident status in the bloc. TimeOut reports that over the course of those five years, they are only permitted to leave the country in question for no more than six consecutive months, or a total of ten months. Additionally, they must demonstrate that they have health insurance, a reliable source of income, and, in some cases, proficient language and cultural knowledge.

However, the European Parliament has suggested reducing the residency requirement from five to three years. In addition, they proposed allowing individuals to combine their time spent residing in various EU member states in order to meet the three-year requirement. They further believe that once acquired, these residents ought to be permitted to relocate to any other member state without any limitations on their employment or additional scrutiny. They additionally asserted that the children of these individuals would be given the same privileges.

Although all of this sounds quite intriguing, the European governments must first approve the proposal in order for it to become possible. Before the upcoming elections for the European Parliament, in February 2024, it is anticipated that the new laws will be carried out.

However, some political groups that believe immigration issues should be handled nationally have voiced their opposition to the proposal, and this could cause governments to slow the process, as reported by euronews.travel.

Evie Blanco is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience who was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Queens, New York. She is extremely well-versed in hip-hop music and culture and is always aware of any developments within it. Whether it’s the latest in pop culture, a fascinating foreign destination, a truly amazing new restaurant, or breaking news, she loves to write about it all.