What changed between the draft committee report and the plenary report

Removed:Recital 9 b (new): (9b) Considering that applicants usually experience periods of interruption, with this risk increasing during the cumulation of time periods while being mobile across the Union, Member States should not take into account periods of interruptions that are less than two months into the calculation of the duration of residence period. This would help to reduce the risk of excluding a number of third-country nationals, who fulfilled all the conditions to apply for an EU long-term resident status, from applying for the status.

Added:Recital 11 a (new): (11a) Where a third-country national has resided for more than ten years in the Member State concerned immediately prior to his or her application, that third-country national should not be required to comply with requirements on income and sickness insurance. That could, in particular, be helpful to facilitate access to EU long-term residence for vulnerable groups, including people with a disability, and for pensioners.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to Article 5.

Added:Recital 11 b (new): (11b) Where a third-country national already possesses a national permanent residence permit, the Member State in which that permit was issued should consider all requirements to acquire EU long-term residence permit fulfilled.

Removed:Recital 10: (10) Any period of residence spent by a holder of a visa or residence permit issued under Union or national law should be counted for acquiring the EU long-term resident status, including periods of residence under a status or in a capacity that is excluded from the scope of the Directive, such as residence for study purposes or vocational training or residence initially based solely on temporary grounds. Where the third-country national concerned has acquired a title of residence which will enable him/her to be granted EU long-term resident status, these periods should be taken into account fully in the calculation of the period required to acquire EU long-term resident status, provided that the overall residence has been legal and continuous.

Added:Recital 12: (12) Member States should be able to require applicants for EU long-term resident status to comply with language conditions. However, the means for implementing this requirement should not be liable to jeopardise the objective of promoting the integration of third-country nationals, having regard, in particular, to the level of knowledge required to pass a civic integration examination, to the accessibility of the courses and material necessary to prepare for that examination, to the amount of fees applicable to third-country nationals as registration fees to sit that examination, or to the consideration of specific individual circumstances, such as age, gender, illiteracy, caring responsibilities, health, previous diplomas acquired in the Member State or level of education.

Removed:Recital 10 a (new): (10a) To facilitate the integration and social inclusion of beneficiaries of international, temporary and other forms of national protection, Member States should take into account the entire period between the date of the lodging of the application for international, temporary or national protection and the date of the granting of the status of beneficiary of international, temporary or national protection.

Added:Recital 13: (13) Moreover, third-country nationals who wish to acquire and maintain EU long-term resident status should not constitute a threat to public policy or public security. The notion of public policy may cover a conviction for committing a serious crime. The decision whether a third-country national constitutes a threat to public policy or public security should be made in accordance with procedures enshrined in national legislation and with the right for the applicant to appeal before the national court.

Removed:Linked to the agreement reached in the trilogue of the Qualification Regulation.

Added:Recital 16: (16) The acquisition of EU long-term resident status should be certified by EU long term residence permits enabling those concerned to prove their legal status easily and immediately. Such residence permits should also satisfy high-level technical standards, notably as regards protection against falsification and counterfeiting, in order to avoid abuses in the Member State in which the status is acquired and in Member States in which the right of residence is exercised. However, falsification and counterfeiting, in particular of documents, could take place without the knowledge of a third-country national. Therefore, Member States should individually examine cases and assess whether the third-country national had knowledge of and responsibility for such falsification and counterfeiting.

Removed:Recital 11: (11) To acquire EU long-term resident status, third-country nationals should prove that they have adequate resources and sickness insurance, to avoid becoming a burden for the Member State. Member States may indicate a certain sum as a reference amount, but they may not impose a minimum income level below which all applications for EU long-term resident status will be refused, irrespective of an actual examination of the situation of each applicant. When making an assessment of the possession of stable and regular resources, Member States may take into account factors such as contributions to the pension system and fulfilment of tax obligations. The concept of ‘resources’ should not concern solely the ‘own resources’ of the applicant for EU long-term resident status, but may also cover the resources made available to that applicant by a third party provided that, in the light of the individual circumstances of the applicant concerned, they are considered to be stable, regular and sufficient. When assessing stable and regular resources, gaps in between work contracts of less than two months should be considered irrelevant. For the uniform application of requirements on stable and regular resources, Member States should take into account a maximum period of one year for the assessment of resources. This will help address the wide discretion between Member States in applying the requirement and therefore ensure that a larger group of third-country nationals can have access to EU…

Added:Recital 17: (17) In order to promote circular migration of EU long-term residents and contribute to brain gain, in particular to allow them to invest in their countries of origin or other third countries and share the knowledge and skills acquired in the Union, as well as to return temporarily to their countries of origin for personal and family circumstances, EU long-term residents should be allowed to be absent from the territory of the Union for up to 24 consecutive months without losing their EU long-term resident status. In case of longer absences, Member States should establish a facilitated procedure for the re-acquisition of the EU long-term resident status, by allowing a third-country national to apply for the re-acquisition of their EU long-term resident status after one year of continuous and legal residence in the Member State concerned. Where Member States issue a national permanent residence permit in accordance with national law and provide for provisions on periods of absences, more favourable provisions should apply.

Removed:Falls under the recast procedure.

Added:Recital 20: (20) The recognition of the qualifications and skills of third-country nationals is a key step for their integration into the labour market. Qualifications, including diplomas, certifications, as well as skills and competences acquired by a third-country national in another Member State should be recognised in the same way as those of Union citizens. Qualifications acquired in a third country should be taken into account in accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council35 without prejudice to future Union law on the recognition of qualifications of third-country nationals, to support Member States and to facilitate the integration of third-country nationals into the labour market as well as to support intra-EU labour mobility. This Directive should be without prejudice to the conditions set out under national law for the exercise of regulated professions. Where the qualifications of the third-country national were already recognised in another Member State, the Member State concerned should take into account such qualifications in accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC.

Removed:Recital 11 a (new): (11a) Where a third-country national has resided for more than ten years in the Member State concerned immediately prior to his or her application, that third-country national should not be required to comply with requirements on income and sickness insurance. In particular, this could be helpful to facilitate access to EU long-term resident status for vulnerable groups, including people with disability, and for pensioners.

Added:Recital 20 a (new): (20a) Member States should ensure that all EU long-term residents enjoy equal treatment as set out in this Directive, in line with the principle of non-discrimination as enshrined in Article 21 of the Charter of the Fundamental Rights.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and clarity.

Added:Recital 21: (21) This Directive should take into account the common standards and procedures in Member States for returning irregularly staying third-country nationals introduced by Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council36 .

Removed:Recital 11 b (new): (11b) Where a third-country national already possesses a national permanent residence permit, the Member State in which this permit was issued should consider all requirements to acquire EU long-term residence permit fulfilled.

Added:Recital 22: (22) EU long-term residents should enjoy reinforced protection against decisions ending their legal stay . Member States should provide for effective legal remedy against such decisions. In line with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union, Member States should take into account the individual circumstances before taking a decision to end the legal stay of an EU long-term resident.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to Article 14, which falls under the recast procedure.

Added:Recital 23: (23) Decisions ending the legal stay of EU long-term residents should not be founded on economic considerations. Before taking a decision to end the legal stay of an EU long-term resident, Member States should take into account the solidity of the person’s family relations and the duration of residence, the existence of family, cultural and social ties with his or her country of origin, and in cases where there are children involved, the best interests of a child.

Removed:Recital 12: (12) For the purpose of promoting the social inclusion of third-country nationals, Member States should not require applicants for EU long-term resident status to comply with integration conditions.

Added:Recital 24: (24) Where a Member State intends to end the legal stay , on a ground provided for in this Directive, of a beneficiary of international protection who has acquired EU long-term resident status in that Member State, and refoule him/her, that person should enjoy the protection against refoulement guaranteed under Directive 2011/95/EU and under Article 33 of the Geneva Convention. For that purpose, where the person enjoys international protection in a Member State other than the one in which that person is currently residing as a long-term resident, it is necessary to provide, that that person may be required to go only to the Member State which granted international protection and that that Member State is obliged to take back that person. The same safeguards should apply to a beneficiary of international protection who has taken up residence but has not yet obtained EU long-term resident status in a second Member State.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence of the Directive.

Removed:Recital 16: (16) The acquisition of EU long-term resident status should be certified by EU long term residence permits enabling those concerned to prove their legal status easily and immediately. Such residence permits should also satisfy high-level technical standards, notably as regards protection against falsification and counterfeiting, in order to avoid abuses in the Member State in which the status is acquired and in Member States in which the right of residence is exercised. However, it is important to note that falsification and counterfeiting, in particular of documents, could take place without the knowledge of a third-country national. Therefore, Member States should individually examine cases and assess whether the applicant had knowledge of such falsification and counterfeiting.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence of the Directive and in line with the principle of proportionality.

Removed:Recital 17: (17) In order to promote circular migration of EU long-term residents and contribute to brain gain, in particular to allow them to invest in their countries of origin and share the knowledge and skills acquired in the Union, to return temporarily to their countries of origin for personal and family circumstances, as well as to pursue professional or educational opportunities in other third countries, EU long-term residents should be allowed to be absent from the territory of the Union for up to 24 consecutive months without losing their EU long-term resident status. In case of longer absences, Member States should establish a facilitated procedure for the re-acquisition of the EU long-term resident status, by allowing a third-country national to apply for the re-acquisition of their EU long-term resident status after one year of continuous and legal residence in the Member State concerned. Where Member States issue national permanent residence permit in accordance with national law and provide for provisions on periods of absences, the more favourable provisions should apply.

Removed:Recital 20: (20) Professional and occupational qualifications acquired by a third-country national in another Member State should be recognised in the same way as those of Union citizens. Qualifications acquired in a third country should be taken into account in accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council35 . This Directive should be without prejudice to the conditions set out under national law for the exercise of regulated professions. Where the qualifications of the third-country national were already recognised in another Member State, the Member State concerned should take into account such qualifications in accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC.

Removed:Recital 22: (22) EU long-term residents should enjoy reinforced protection against decisions ending their legal stay. Member States should provide for effective legal remedy against such decisions. In line with the ECHR and CJEU case law, Member States should take into account the individual circumstances of the individual, prior to the decision ending legal stay.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and codified the European Court of Human Rights ruling.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and in line with the best interests of a child.

Added:Recital 28: (28) Harmonisation of the terms of acquisition of the EU long-term resident status promotes mutual confidence between Member States. However, this Directive should be without prejudice to the right of Member States to issue residence permits of permanent or unlimited validity other than the EU long-term residence permit. Such national residence permits should not confer the right to reside in other Member States. However, where a Member State decides to grant a national residence permit to a third-country national, the third-country national should also be offered at the same time an EU long-term residence permit in order to facilitate the acquisition of such right. An EU long-term resident should not be precluded from acquiring or holding other national or Union residence permits.

Removed:Recital 27 b (new): (27b) In light of particularly difficult circumstances and for the purpose of protecting family members, Member States should grant autonomous EU long-term residence permit to family members of an EU long-term resident after two years of residence in the territory of that Member State. With due regard to family life and human dignity, and in certain conditions to provide protection against abuse, Member States should take measures to legally safeguard family members and ensure that they can retain the right of residence on personal basis.

Added:Recital 29: (29) Member States should ensure a level playing field between EU long-term residence permits and national residence permits of permanent or unlimited validity, in terms of procedural and equal treatment rights, procedures to obtain the respective statuses and access to information. In particular, Member States should ensure that when issuing a national residence permit of permanent or unlimited validity, more favourable provisions on procedural safeguards and rights should apply to EU long-term residents and their family members. Member States should also ensure that applicants for an EU long-term residence permit are not required to pay higher fees for the processing of their application than applicants for national residence permits. Finally, Member States should engage in the same level of information, promotion and advertisement activities with respect to the EU long-term residence permit as they do for national residence permits of permanent or unlimited validity, and should inform applicants of the possibility of requesting the EU-long term residence when they submit an application for a national residence permit. When providing information about the EU long-term residence and national residence permits, Members States should provide the same level of information on national websites on legal migration and information campaigns, and training programmes provided to the competent migration authorities. All information on the procedure to obtain the EU long-term resident …

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and in line with protecting family life.

Added:Recital 30: (30) This Directive aims to facilitate and promote mobility for EU long-term residents within the Union (‘intra-EU mobility’) and to reduce the administrative burden associated with mobility. Intra-EU mobility is one of the key components of this Directive, as it provides a clear added value that cannot be achieved at a Member State level. Establishing the conditions subject to which the right to reside in another Member State may be acquired by third-country nationals who are EU long-term residents should contribute to the effective attainment of an internal market as an area in which the free movement of persons is ensured. The occupational and geographical mobility of third-country nationals who are already EU long-term residents in one Member State should be recognised as an important contributor to enhancing the Union’s attractiveness, to improving labour market efficiency across the Union, to addressing skills shortages and matching skills to the Union’s labour market needs, to contributing to labour market adjustments, to boosting economic growth, and to offsetting regional imbalances. Furthermore, the intra-EU mobility of EU long-term residents and their family members can facilitate their social and cultural integration.

Removed:Recital 28: (28) Harmonisation of the terms of acquisition of the EU long-term resident status promotes mutual confidence between Member States. However, this Directive should be without prejudice to the right of Member States to issue residence permits of permanent or unlimited validity other than the EU long-term residence permit. Such national residence permits should not confer the right to reside in other Member States. An EU long-term resident should not be precluded from acquiring or holding other national or EU residence permits.

Added:Recital 33 a (new): (33a) For the purpose of facilitating intra-EU mobility, this Directive sets up a specific intra-EU mobility scheme whereby the holder of a valid EU long-term residence permit issued by a Member State is allowed to enter, to stay and to work in one or more Member States in accordance with the provisions governing short-term and long-term mobility under this Directive. Short-term mobility for the purposes of this Directive should cover stays in Member States other than the Member State that issued the long-term residence permit, for a period of up to 90 days per Member State. Long-term mobility for the purposes of this Directive should cover stays in Member States other than the Member State that issued the long-term residence permit for a period exceeding 90 days per Member State.

Removed:This provision falls under the recast procedure.

Added:Recital 33 b (new): (33b) For the purpose of enhancing intra-EU mobility, EU long-term residents should have the possibility to reside in another Member State, on the basis of an EU long-term or other residence permit issued in a second Member State. The EU long-term resident should apply for a residence permit within the first three months after arriving in the territory of the second Member State, subject to the provisions in Chapter III and provided that the requirement on the duration of residence in the first Member State has been fulfilled. The national authorities of the second Member State should provide easily understandable information to the EU long-term resident on the differences in rights and procedural guarantees granted on the basis of the different types of permit that the EU long-term resident applies for.

Removed:Recital 29: (29) Member States should ensure a level playing field between EU long-term residence permits and national residence permits of permanent or unlimited validity, in terms of procedural and equal treatment rights, procedures and access to information. In particular, Member States should ensure that, when issuing a national residence permit of permanent or unlimited validity, more favourable provisions on procedural safeguards and rights should apply to EU long-term residents and their family members. Member States should also ensure that applicants for an EU long-term residence permit are not required to pay higher fees for the processing of their application than applicants for national residence permits. Finally, Member States should engage in the same level of information, promotion and advertisement activities with respect to the EU long-term residence permit as they do for national residence permits of permanent or unlimited validity, for example with regard to information on national websites on legal migration and information campaigns, and training programmes provided to the competent migration authorities. Where a third-country national holds a national permanent residence permit and applies for an EU long-term residence permit in the same Member State, the Member State concerned should automatically grant an EU long-term residence permit to that person .

Added:Recital 34: (34) In order to facilitate the intra-EU mobility of EU long-term residents for the exercise of an economic activity in an employed or self-employed capacity, and to reduce the unnecessary administrative burdens imposed on EU long-term residents, no check of the labour market situation in a second Member State should be carried out when examining applications for residence in a second Member State.

Removed:Linked to Article 14, which falls under the recast procedure.

Added:Recital 34 a (new): (34a) When an EU long-term resident chooses to apply for a national residence permit, the Member State where the national residence permit is to be granted should explicitly mention on the permit that the third-country national is a holder of an EU long-term residence permit, and therefore, both the EU long-term resident and his or her family are entitled to related rights, including equal treatment, and procedural safeguards. Where Member States require the EU long-term resident to provide evidence, including on stable and regular resources, a similar evaluation and assessment as in the first Member State should be carried out, in line with the principle of proportionality.

Removed:Recital 30: (30) This Directive aims to facilitate mobility for EU long-term residents within the Union (‘intra-EU mobility’) and to reduce the administrative burden associated with mobility. In the meantime, EU long-term residents should have the possibility to apply for other residence schemes in other Member States. The occupational and geographical mobility of third-country nationals who are already EU long-term residents in one Member State should be recognised as an important contributor to improving labour market efficiency across the Union, to addressing skills shortages and to offsetting regional imbalances.

Added:Recital 35: (35) As soon as an EU long-term resident submits a complete application for residence in a second Member State within the deadline provided for in this Directive, it should be possible for that Member State to allow the EU long-term resident to begin employment or study. Member States should ensure that EU long-term residents are entitled to begin employment or study no later than 30 days after submitting the application for residence in the second Member State.

Removed:Changes introduced here fall under the recast procedure and are necessary for internal coherence.

Added:Recital 36: (36) Where EU long-term residents intend to apply for residence in a second Member State in order to exercise a regulated profession, their professional diplomas, certifications and other qualifications as well as skills and competences should be recognised in the same way as those of Union citizens exercising the right to free movement, in accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC and other applicable Union and national law.

Removed:Recital 33 a (new): (33a) This Directive aims to introduce new provisions facilitating intra-EU mobility, in order to enhance the Union’s attractiveness, match better international skills with Union’s labour market needs, and contribute to labour market adjustments and the overall economic growth. Intra-EU mobility is one of the key components of this Directive, as it provides a clear added value that cannot be achieved at a Member State level.

Added:Recital 37: (37) Family members should also be able to settle in a second Member State with an EU long-term resident in order to preserve family unity and to avoid hindering the exercise of the EU long-term resident's right of residence. With regard to the family members who are authorised to accompany or to join the EU long-term residents, Member States should pay special attention to the situation of disabled or otherwise dependent adult children, spouses and legal partners and of first-degree relatives in the direct ascending line who are dependent on them. Family members residing in a second Member State should be able to exercise the same rights as family members residing in the first Member State.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to the key aim of the Directive to enhance intra-EU mobility for third-country nationals.

Added:Recital 38: (38) The Member State in which an EU long-term resident intends to exercise his or her right of residence should be able to check that the person concerned meets the conditions for residing in its territory. It should also be able to check that the person concerned does not constitute a threat to public policy, public security or public health, as defined in Article 2, point 21, of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council1a. / 1a Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) (OJ L 77, 23.3.2016, p. 1).

Removed:Recital 33 b (new): (33b) For the purpose of facilitated intra-EU mobility, this Directive sets up a specific intra-EU mobility scheme whereby the holder of a valid EU long-term residence permit issued by a Member State is allowed to enter, to reside and to work in one or more Member States in accordance with the provisions governing short-term and long-term mobility under this Directive. Short-term mobility for the purposes of this Directive should cover stays in Member States other than the one that issued the EU long-term residence permit, for a period of up to 90 days per Member State. Long-term mobility for the purposes of this Directive should cover stays in Member States other than the one that issued the EU long-term residence permit.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to the key aim of the Directive to enhance intra-EU mobility for third-country nationals.

Removed:Recital 33 c (new): (33c) For the purpose of enhancing intra-EU mobility, EU long-term residents should have the possibility to reside in another Member State, on the basis of an EU long-term residence permit or national residence permit. The EU long-term resident should apply for a residence permit within the first three months after arriving in the territory of the second Member State, subject to the provisions in Chapter III and provided that the requirement on the duration of residence in the first Member State has been fulfilled. The national authorities of the Member State concerned should provide easily understandable information to the EU long-term resident on the differences in rights and procedural guarantees depending on the type of permit he or she applies for.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to the key aim of the recast to enhance intra-EU mobility for third-country nationals.

Removed:Recital 34: (34) In order to facilitate the intra-EU mobility of EU long-term residents for the exercise of an economic activity in an employed or self-employed capacity, and to reduce the unnecessary administrative burdens imposed on EU long-term residents, no check of the labour market situation should be carried out when examining applications for residence in a second Member State.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to the key aim of the recast to enhance intra-EU mobility for third-country nationals.

Removed:Recital 34 a (new): (34a) When an EU long-term resident chooses to apply for a national residence permit, the Member State where the national residence permit is granted should explicitly mention on the permit that the third-country national is a holder of an EU long-term residence permit, and therefore, both the EU long-term resident and his or her family are entitled to related rights, including equal treatment, and procedural safeguards. Where Member States require the EU long-term resident to provide evidence, including on stable and regular resources, a similar evaluation and assessment as in the first Member State should be carried out, in line with the principle of proportionality. In that case, gaps in between labour contracts of less than two months should be considered irrelevant for the purpose of the assessment.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to the key aim of the recast to enhance intra-EU mobility for third-country nationals.

Removed:Recital 37: (37) Family members should also be able to settle in a second Member State with an EU long-term resident in order to preserve family unity and to avoid hindering the exercise of the EU long-term resident's right of residence. With regard to the family members who are authorised to accompany or to join the EU long-term residents, Member States should pay special attention to the situation of adult children and of first-degree relatives in the direct ascending line who are dependent on them. Family members residing in a second Member State should be able to exercise the same rights as family members residing in the first Member State.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to the key aim of the recast to enhance intra-EU mobility for third-country nationals.

Removed:Recital 38: (38) The Member State in which an EU long-term resident intends to exercise his or her right of residence should be able to check that the person concerned meets the conditions for residing in its territory. It should also be able to check that the person concerned does not constitute a threat to public policy and public security.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence of the Directive and linked to the deletion of Article 20, which falls under the recast procedure.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and reflects changes introduced under the recast procedure.

Added:Article 1 – paragraph -1 (new): -1. The purpose of this Directive is to create a harmonised EU long-term resident status and establish rules on the procedures and rights associated with that status. / This Directive aims to ensure the equal treatment of third-country nationals as referred to in Article 12, foster their integration and social inclusion, and enhance the right to mobility for EU long-term residents within the Union (‘intra-EU mobility’). The rules set out in this Directive also aim to increase the Union’s attractiveness to third-country skills and talents.

Removed:Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d: (d) ‘second Member State’ means any Member State other than the one which currently grants EU long-term resident status to a third-country national and in which that long-term resident exercises the rights provided under this Directive;

Removed:Linguistic change reflecting the nature of the Directive.

Removed:Article 4 – paragraph 1: 1. Notwithstanding paragraph 3 of this article, Member States shall grant EU long-term resident status to third-country nationals who have resided legally and continuously within its territory for three years immediately prior to the submission of the relevant application. An interruption period of less than two months shall not affect the continuous nature of residence. Such interruption shall not be taken into account for the duration of residence.

Removed:In its Asylum and Migration Management Regulation, the Commission included an amendment to EU long-term residence directive, which shortens the period of time for beneficiaries of international protection to residence in the first Member State from 5 to 3 years. The Rapporteur believes that this amendment is in line with the earlier proposal of the Commission and is necessary for internal coherence of the Directive.

Removed:Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new): 1a. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, Member States may grant EU long-term resident status to vulnerable persons who have resided legally and continuously within their territories for less than three years, based on an assessment of their individual situation, in accordance with the conditions set out in national law.

Removed:In line with the overall objective the recast to create a more coherence and fair system. The rapporteur’s amendment aims to introduce a durable solution to those who face particularly difficult circumstances, for instance victims of human trafficking.

Removed:During the trilogue on the Qualifications Regulation in June 2018, the Parliament and the Council have agreed on this provision. The provision is also included in the Council’s general approach on the Qualification Regulation. Therefore, the Rapporteur believes the following amendment is necessary for the internal coherence of the Directive.

Added:Article 5 – paragraph 2: 2. For the purpose of paragraph 1, point (a), Member States shall evaluate the stable and regular resources by reference to their nature and regularity. Member States shall also assess the individual circumstances of the applicant. To ensure compliance with non-discrimination Member States shall consider recourse to social assistance in the evaluation of stable and regular resources, in the case of an applicant's disability or incapacity to work due to circumstances such as pregnancy, injury, accident or disease, in accordance with national law. Stable and regular resources shall not be required to be higher than the threshold below which nationals of the Member State concerned become eligible for social assistance, or, where this criterion is not applicable, higher than the minimum social security pension paid by the Member State concerned. / For the purpose of evaluating stable and regular resources, gaps in between labour contracts of less than two months shall be considered irrelevant. Member States shall not impose a minimum income level, below which all applications for EU long-term resident status would be refused, irrespective of an actual examination of the situation of each applicant. / For the purpose of evaluating stable and regular resources, a maximum period of one year shall be considered. Where Member States issue national residence permits in accordance with Article 14(1) and where more favourable provisions apply for the evaluation of stable and regular reso…

Removed:Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) stable and regular resources , also made available by any other third party, which are sufficient to maintain himself/herself and the dependent members of his or her family, without recourse to the social assistance system of the Member State concerned. Member States shall evaluate these resources by reference to their nature and regularity and may take into account the level of minimum wages and pensions prior to the application for long-term resident status;

Added:Article 5 – paragraph 3: 3. In accordance with national law, Member States may require a proof of language proficiency up to A2 level. In such cases, Member States shall provide language courses free of charge.

Removed:Necessary for the internal coherence of the Directive and in line with the principle of proportionality.

Added:Article 5 – paragraph 4: 4. Where Member States issue national residence permits in accordance with Article 14(1), and where the conditions laid down in national law for issuance of such permit are met, the third-country national who applied for the national residence permit shall be considered to have fulfilled all the conditions to acquire the EU long-term resident permit.

Removed:Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new): 1a. The conditions referred to in paragraph 1 shall not apply to third-country nationals who have resided legally and continuously for ten years immediately prior to the submission of the relevant application.

Added:Article 7 – paragraph 1: 1. To acquire EU long-term resident status, the third-country national concerned shall submit an application with the competent authorities of the Member State in which he/she resides. The application shall be accompanied by documentary evidence to be determined by national law that he/she meets the conditions set out in Articles 4 and 5 as well as, if required, by a valid travel or identification document or their certified copy.

Removed:In line with aims set out in the proposal to create a more fair system to acquire EU long-term resident status, faciliate easier access to the residence status, and promote the integration of third-country nationals who settled legally and on a long-term basis in the Union.

Added:Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1: The competent national authorities shall give the applicant written notification of the decision as soon as possible and in any event no later than 60 days from the date on which the complete application was submitted. Any such decision shall be notified to the third-country national concerned in accordance with the notification procedures under the relevant national legislation.

Removed:Article 5 – paragraph 2: 2. For the purpose of paragraph 1, point (a), in line with the principle of proportionality, Member States shall evaluate the stable and regular resources by reference to their nature and regularity, shall take into account the individual situation of the person concerned, and shall, as the primary criteria take into account the level of minimum wages and pensions prior to the application for long-term resident status. In any case, the amount shall not be higher than the threshold below which nationals of the Member State concerned become eligible for social assistance, or, where this criterion is not applicable, higher than the minimum social security pension paid by the Member State concerned. / For the purpose of assessing stable and regular resources, gaps in between labour contracts of less than two months shall be considered irrelevant. Member States shall not impose a minimum income level, which they regard as stable and regular resources, below which all applications for EU long-term resident status would be refused, irrespective of an actual examination of the situation of each applicant. For the evaluation of stable and regular resources, a maximum period of one year shall be considered. / Where Member States issue national residence permits in accordance with Article 14(1) and where more favourable provisions apply for the evaluation of stable and regular resources than provided in this Article, the same evaluation shall be applied to EU long-term resident permit h…

Added:Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2: Where the documents presented or information provided in support of the application are inadequate or incomplete, the competent authorities shall notify the applicant of the additional documents or information that are required and shall set a reasonable deadline for presenting or providing them. That reasonable deadline shall not be stricter than the equivalent deadline imposed on applicants for national permits. The period referred to in the first subparagraph shall be suspended until the authorities have received the additional documents or information required. If the additional documents or information required have not been provided within that deadline, the application may be rejected.

Removed:Article 5 – paragraph 3: 3. Member States shall not require third-country nationals to comply with integration conditions.

Added:Article 7 – paragraph 4: 4. Where an application for an EU long-term residence permit concerns a third-country national who holds a national residence permit issued by the same Member State in accordance with Article 14(1), that Member State shall not require the applicant to present additional evidence for the application for the EU long-term residence permit provided the compliance with those conditions was already verified in the context of the application for the national residence permit. Where applicable, EU long-term residents shall not be precluded from retaining a national permanent residence permit in accordance with Article 14(1).

Removed:Necessary to reflect the aim of the recast, in particular to promote integration of third-country nationals who settled legally and on a long-term basis in the Union. Considering this Directive covers nationals who have resided in the Union for a long-term basis, it is safe to assume that this specific category of third-country nationals are already integrated.

Added:Article 8 – paragraph 2: 2. Member States shall issue an EU long-term residence permit to EU long-term residents. The permit shall be valid at least for five years; it shall, upon application if required, be automatically renewable on expiry, without introducing additional conditions.

Removed:Article 5 – paragraph 4: 4. Where Member States issue national residence permits in accordance with Article 14(1), all conditions to acquire the EU long-term residence permit shall be considered as fulfilled.

Removed:Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1: The competent national authorities shall give the applicant written notification of the decision as soon as possible and in any event no later than 30 days from the date on which the complete application was lodged. Any such decision shall be notified to the third-country national concerned in accordance with the notification procedures under the relevant national legislation.

Removed:Necessary to reflect the aim of the recast to further harmonise and simplify procedures for acquiring an EU long-term residence status. Furthermore, the Rapporteur believe that the rules set out in this Directive should be harmonised with more favourable provisions adopted in the recent legal migration instruments, including the Blue Card Directive (90 day limit), the ICT Directive (30 day limit) and the S&RD (90 day limit).

Removed:Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2: Where the documents presented or information provided in support of the application are inadequate or incomplete, the competent authorities shall notify the applicant of the additional documents or information that are required and shall set a reasonable deadline, within a minimum of 30 days, for presenting or providing them. The period referred to in the first subparagraph shall be suspended from the notification until the authorities have received the additional documents or information required. If the additional documents or information required have not been provided within that deadline, the application may be rejected.

Removed:Article 7 – paragraph 4: 4. Where an application for an EU long-term residence permit concerns a third-country national who holds a national residence permit issued by the same Member State in accordance with Article 14(1), that Member State shall not require the applicant to give evidence of the conditions provided for in Article 5(1) and (2), if the compliance with those conditions was already verified in the context of the application for the national residence permit. Member States shall not require third-country nationals who hold a national residence permit and are applying for an EU long-term residence permit to comply with integration conditions. If applicable, EU long-term residents shall not be precluded from retaining a national permanent residence permit in accordance with Article 14(1).

Removed:Article 8 – title: EU long-term residence permit

Removed:Technical amendment for internal clarity and coherence.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence.

Added:Article 9 – paragraph 2: 2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, point (c), Member States may extend the period of absences for specific or exceptional reasons beyond 24 consecutive months which shall not entail withdrawal or loss of status. Where the duration of absence allowed under national permanent residence permit referred to in Article 14(1) is longer than the period of absence allowed under this Directive, the more favourable provision shall apply.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to Article 14, which falls under the recast procedure.

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 4: deleted

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and to meet the objective of the recast, in particular protection against expulsion. In line with principle of non-refoulement.

Removed:Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new): By way of derogation from this Article, applicants in possession of national permanent residence permits in accordance with Article 14(1) shall not be subject to fees when applying for an EU long-term residence permit.

Added:Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) education and training, including study grants in accordance with national law;

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to Article 14, which falls under the recast procedure.

Added:Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point c: (c) recognition of qualifications, including diplomas, certificates and other qualifications, in accordance with the relevant national procedures, and taking into account qualifications acquired in a third country in accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC where the latter qualifications were already recognised in another Member State;

Removed:Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point c: (c) recognition of occupational and professional qualifications, including diplomas, certificates and other qualifications, in accordance with the relevant national procedures, and taking into account qualifications acquired in a third country in accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC where the latter qualification was already recognised in another Member State;

Added:Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d: (d) access to the branches of social security referred to in Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council40 , and social assistance and social protection as defined by national law;

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to the overall objective to increase Union’s attractiveness for skills and talents from third-countries, as well as ensure a level playing field between the EU long-term residence permit and national permanent residence permits in terms of equal treatment rights.

Added:Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point f: (f) access to goods and services and the supply of goods and services made available to the public , including access to private housing, and to procedures for obtaining public housing ensuring a decent standard of living, as well as information and counselling services provided by employment offices;

Removed:Article 12 – paragraph 2: 2. With respect to the provisions of paragraph 1, point (d), the Member State concerned may restrict equal treatment to cases where the registered or usual place of residence of the EU long-term resident within the Member State concerned.

Added:Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point g: (g) freedom of association and affiliation and membership of an organisation representing workers or employers or of any organisation whose members are engaged in a specific occupation, including the rights and benefits conferred by such organisations, without prejudice to the national provisions on public policy and public security;

Removed:In accordance with the principle of proportionality and linked to guaranteed equal treatment rights for third-country nationals and their families.

Added:Article 12 – paragraph 2: 2. With respect to the provisions of paragraph 1, points (d) and (e), the Member State concerned may limit equal treatment to cases where the registered or usual place of residence of the EU long-term resident lies within the Member State concerned. Member States shall inform EU long-term residents of such restrictions when they acquire the EU long term resident status, and on request, provide the EU long-term resident with easily understandable and accessible reasons for such restriction.

Removed:Article 13 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new): (da) the nature and seriousness of the criminal offence committed by the applicant;

Added:Article 12 – paragraph 3 – introductory part: 3. Member States may restrict equal treatment with nationals only in the following cases:

Removed:Codifies the ruling of ECtHR in its case on Boutlif v Switzerland and M Uner v the Netherlands.

Added:Article 12 – paragraph 3 – point a: (a) Member States may retain restrictions to access to employment or self-employed activities in cases where those activities are reserved to nationals, provided that such employment or activities entail occasional involvement in the exercise of public authority, in accordance with existing national or Union legislation;

Removed:Article 13 – paragraph 3 – point d b (new): (db) in cases where there are children involved, the best interests and well-being of the children, in particular the seriousness of difficulties which any children of the applicant are likely to encounter in the country to which the applicant is to be returned;

Added:Article 12 – paragraph 3 – point b: (b) Member States may require proof of appropriate language proficiency for access to tertiary education and training. Access to university may be subject to the fulfilment of specific educational prerequisites. Access to early childhood and secondary education and care shall be without any restrictions or prerequisites. Member States shall provide appropriate language training for children.

Removed:Codifies the ruling of ECtHR in its case on Boutlif v Switzerland and M Uner v the Netherlands.

Added:Article 12 – paragraph 4: 4. As far as the Member State which granted international protection is concerned, paragraph 3 of this Article shall be without prejudice to Directive 2011/95/EU.

Removed:Article 13 – paragraph 3 – point d c (new): (dc) the solidity of social, cultural and family ties with the host country and with the country of destination.

Added:Article 12 – paragraph 5: 5. EU long-term residents moving to a third country, or their survivors who reside in a third country and who derive rights from an EU long-term resident, shall receive, in relation to old age, invalidity and death, statutory pensions based on the EU long-term resident's previous employment that were acquired in accordance with the legislation referred to in Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004, under the same conditions and at the same rates as nationals of the Member States concerned where such nationals move to a third country. Any difficulty for EU long-term residents to receive their pension entitlements shall be addressed by the Member State in a timely and effective manner.

Removed:Codifies the ruling of ECtHR in its case on Boutlif v Switzerland and M Uner v the Netherlands.

Added:Article 13 – paragraph 3 – point a: (a) the duration of residence in their territory and the periods of absence;

Removed:Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new): Where Member States issue national permanent residence permits, they shall grant third-country nationals to whom they issue the EU long-term resident status the same rights, procedural safeguards and advantages as those provided for under the national schemes, where such provisions are more favourable under national schemes. Where more favourable conditions apply and allow for the acquisition of an EU long-term residence permit, the rights under Chapter III shall be applied subject to the conditions referred to in Article 4(1).

Added:Article 13 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new): (da) the nature and seriousness of the criminal offence committed by the person concerned;

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and is linked to the aim of the recast to ensure a level playing field between the EU long-term residence permit and national permanent residence permits.

Added:Article 13 – paragraph 3 – point d b (new): (db) in cases where there are children involved, the best interests and well-being of the children;

Removed:Article 14 – paragraph 1 b (new): Where a third-country national holds a national permanent residence permit in accordance with this Article, and applies for an EU long-term residence permit in the same Member State, the Member State in question shall automatically grant an EU long-term resident status to the person concerned.

Added:Article 13 – paragraph 6: deleted

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and is linked to the aim of the recast to ensure a level playing field between the EU long-term residence permit and national permanent residence permits.

Added:Article 13 – paragraph 7: 7. Where a decision ending the legal stay of an EU long-term resident has been adopted, that EU long-term resident shall have the right to effective legal remedy in the Member State concerned in accordance with Article 10.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to Articles 17 and 25, which fall under the recast procedure. Linked to objective of the recast, in particular to enhance EU’s attractiveness in the eyes of third-country nationals, promote their integration in the Union’s labour market, and facilitate their right to intra-EU mobility.

Added:Article 16 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2: deleted

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to improving the effectiveness and better implementation of the current Directive.

Added:Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1: Member States may not require third-country nationals to comply with integration measures, in accordance with national law. The persons who acquired an EU long-term residence permit in the second Member State and their family members shall have access to free language courses.

Removed:Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point a: (a) stable and regular resources, also made available by any third party, which are sufficient to maintain themselves and the dependent members of their families, without recourse to the social assistance of the Member State concerned. For each of the categories referred to in Article 16(2), Member States shall evaluate these resources by reference to their nature and regularity and may take into account the level of minimum wages and pensions. For the purpose of assessing the resources, the second Member State shall apply the same evaluation rules set out in Article 5(2). Gaps in between labour contracts of less than two months shall be considered irrelevant for the purpose of the assessment;

Added:Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2: deleted

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and inextricably linked to the Recital 11, Article 5, and this Article, all of which fall under the recast procedure. changes introduced in Recital 11, Article 5, and this Article.

Added:Article 17 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3: deleted

Removed:Article 17 – paragraph 3: deleted / (deleted) / (deleted)

Added:Article 17 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1: The application shall be accompanied by the EU long-term residence permit and a valid travel or identification document or their certified copies.

Removed:Necessary to reflect the aim of the recast, in particular to promote integration of third-country nationals who settled legally and on a long-term basis in the Union. Considering this Directive covers nationals who have resided in the Union for a long-term basis, it is safe to assume that this specific category of third-country nationals are already integrated.

Added:Article 17 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 – introductory part: Additional documentary evidence shall be limited to:

Removed:Article 17 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1: The application shall be accompanied by their EU long-term residence permit and a valid travel document or their certified copies.

Added:Article 17 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 – point b: (b) in case of study or training, including occupational and vocational training, the second Member State may require the persons concerned to provide evidence of enrolment in an accredited establishment in order to pursue studies or training.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and clarity.

Added:Article 17 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 a (new): Member States shall ensure that any requirement of such evidence is proprotionate and is not dissuasive.

Removed:Article 17 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 – introductory part: If applicable, additional documentary evidence shall be limited to:

Added:Article 17 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3: With regard to the exercise of an economic activity in a regulated profession as defined in Article 3(1), point (a), of Directive 2005/36/EC, for the purpose of applying for a residence permit in a second Member State, EU long-term residents shall enjoy equal treatment with Union citizens as regards recognition of professional and occupational diplomas, certificates or other qualifications, in accordance with applicable Union and national law.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to the changes introduced in the subparagraph above.

Added:Article 17 – paragraph 5: 5. The EU long-term resident shall be allowed to commence work or study in the second Member State as soon as possible and no later than 30 days after the date of submission of the complete application.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to provisions under Article 15, which falls under the recast. In line with the overall objective to enhance the rights of EU long-term resident’s family members and fundamental right to family life.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and inextricably linked to Article 15(3), which falls under the recast procedure.

Added:Article 19 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1: Member States may refuse applications for residence from EU long-term residents or their family members where the person concerned constitutes a threat to public policy, or public security, or public health.

Removed:Article 19 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2: When taking the relevant decision, the Member State shall consider the severity or type of offence against public policy or public security committed by the long-term resident or his or her family member(s), or the danger that emanates from the person concerned, while also having a proper regard to the duration of residence and to the existence of links with the country of residence.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence, in accordance with Article 6 of this Directive. Linked to the recast’s aim to strengthen protection against expulsion.

Removed:Article 24 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3: deleted

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and clarity. Additionally, linked to the overall objective of promoting integration of third-country nationals who have lawfully resided within the Union on a long-term basis.

Removed:Re-introduces a text that was deleted in the new proposal. The following strike-through text falls under the Recast procedure.

Added:Article 26 – paragraph 2: 2. An EU long-term resident shall be entitled to submit an application for an EU long-term residence permit, upon the arrival of that EU long-term resident to the second Member State or no later than the expiry of that resident’s EU long-term residence permit in the first Member State.

Removed:Article 26 – paragraph 1: 1. Upon application for an EU long-term residence permit, the second Member State shall grant EU long-term residents the status provided for by Article 7. The second Member State shall notify its decision to the first Member State.

Added:Article 26 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2a. By way of derogation from Article 17(2), point (a), a maximum period of six months shall be considered for the evaluation of stable and regular resources.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to recast’s key objective of enhancing intra-EU mobility for third-country nationals, which is an added value of the status in comparison to national permits on Member State level.

Added:Article 26 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1: Where the second Member State confers entitlement to social assistance, or maintenance aid for studies, including vocational training, consisting in student grants or student loans to Union citizens exercising free movement rights in accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC or Article 21 TFEU, other than workers, self-employed persons or persons who retain such status, their family members, prior to the completion of five years of legal and continuous residence, it shall also confer such entitlement to EU long-term residents under the same conditions.

Removed:Article 26 – paragraph 1 a (new): 1a. Upon granting of the EU long-term residence permit, all rights as referred to in Chapter I and II of this Directive applicable to EU long-term residents and their family members in the first Member State shall apply to EU long-term residents and their family members in the second Member State.

Added:Article 26 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2: deleted

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to recast’s key objective of enhancing intra-EU mobility for third-country nationals, which is an added value of the status in comparison to national permits on Member State level.

Added:Article 26 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2 a (new): The second Member State shall, in accordance with national law or practice, provide social assistance to an EU long-term resident, in the case of a disability or incapacity to work due to circumstances such as pregnancy, accident, injury or disease.

Removed:Article 26 – paragraph 2: 2. By way of derogation from Article 4(1) and (3), an EU long-term resident shall be entitled to submit an application for an EU long-term residence permit, upon his or her arrival to the second Member State or no later than the expiry of his or her EU long-term residence permit in the first Member State.

Removed:Article 26 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2a. For the purpose of application, as referred to in paragraph 1, the applicant shall present: / (a) the valid EU long-term residence permit issued by the first Member State; / (b) a valid travel document, as specified by national law;

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to recast’s key objective of enhancing intra-EU mobility for third-country nationals, which is an added value of the status in comparison to national permits on Member State level.

Removed:Article 26 – paragraph 2 b (new): 2b. The Member State concerned may require the EU long-term resident to present documentary evidence to prove that conditions have been met in the first Member State when acquiring the EU long-term residence permit and that the condition referred to in Article 4(1) is fulfilled.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to recast’s key objective of enhancing intra-EU mobility for third-country nationals, which is an added value of the status in comparison to national permits on Member State level.

Removed:Article 26 – paragraph 2 c (new): 2c. By way of derogation from Article 5(1), the second Member State may require the EU long-term resident to present: / (a) stable and regular resources, also made available by any other third party, which are sufficient to maintain himself or herself and the dependent members of his or her family, without recourse to social assistance system of the Member State concerned. For the evaluation of stable and regular resources, a maximum period of six months shall be considered. / (b) evidence of, or if provided for by national law, having applied for, sickness insurance in respect of all risks normally covered for his or her own nationals in the Member State concerned.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to recast’s key objective of enhancing intra-EU mobility for third-country nationals, which is an added value of the status in comparison to national permits on Member State level.

Removed:Article 26 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1: By way of derogation from Article 12, first paragraph, point (d), the second Member State shall not be obliged to confer entitlement to social assistance, or maintenance aid for studies, including vocational training, consisting in student grants or student loans to EU long-term residents other than workers, self-employed persons, and their family members, prior to the completion of three years of legal and continuous residence in its territory.

Removed:Article 26 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2: The second Member State may decide to confer entitlement to such assistance to EU long-term residents prior to the completion of three years of legal and continuous residence, provided that it ensures the same treatment to Union citizens exercising free movement rights in accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC or Article 21 TFEU, other than workers, self-employed persons or persons who retain such status, their family members, as well as third-country nationals enjoying the right of free movement equivalent to that of Union citizens other than workers, self-employed persons or persons who retain such status under an agreement between the Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and third countries on the other, and their family members.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and linked to recast’s objective of protection third-country nationals against expulsion and enhancing procedural safeguards.

Added:Article 27 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) on the documentary evidence needed for an application and on rights and procedures related to living and working in a second Member State under relevant Union and national labour law and practice;

Removed:Article 26 – paragraph 5: 5. The procedure laid down in Article 7 shall apply to the presentation and examination of applications for EU long-term resident status in the second Member State. Article 8 shall apply for the issuance of the residence permit. Where the application is rejected, the procedural guarantees provided for by Article 10 shall apply. Without prejudice to paragraph 4 of this Article, a decision to reject an application for mobility shall take account of specific circumstances of the case and shall respect the principle of proportionality.

Added:Article 27 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) on the status acquisition and residence conditions applicable to third-country nationals and to their family members, including their rights and obligations and the procedural safeguards under this Directive and under relevant Union and national law and practice.

Removed:Necessary for internal coherence and in accordance with the principle of proportionality.

Added:Article 27 – paragraph 2: 2. Where Member States issue national residence permits in accordance with Article 14, they shall ensure the same access to information on the EU long-term resident permit as the one provided with respect to such national residence permits. During the application process, the Member State issuing a permit shall inform the applicant, in writing, of the possibility of obtaining an EU long-term residence permit and the possibility to retain national and EU long-term resident permits simultaneously. Member States shall ensure accessibility to information for persons with disabilities.