Communication from the Commission - Policy Plan on Legal Migration {SEC(2005)1680}
Date: 2005-12-21
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU migration policy, cooperation policy, immigration, migrant worker

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 21.12.2005 
COM(2005) 669 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 

Policy Plan on Legal Migration 

{SEC(2005)1680} 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. 

1.1. 

1.2. 

2. 

2.1. 

2.2. 

Introduction .................................................................................................................. 3 

The political context..................................................................................................... 3 

The Lisbon Agenda and demographic trends............................................................... 4 

Legislative measures on labour immigration ............................................................... 5 

General framework directive........................................................................................ 5 

Four specific directives ................................................................................................ 6 

2.2.1.  A proposal for a directive on the conditions of entry and residence of highly skilled 

workers......................................................................................................................... 7 

2.2.2.  A proposal for a directive on the conditions of entry and residence of seasonal 

workers......................................................................................................................... 7 

2.2.3.  A proposal for a directive on the procedures regulating the entry into, the temporary 

stay and residence of Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICT) ............................................ 7 

2.2.4.  A proposal for a directive on the conditions of entry and residence of remunerated 

trainees ......................................................................................................................... 8 

2.3. 

Other legislative measures ........................................................................................... 8 

3. 

3.1. 

3.2. 

3.3. 

4. 

5. 

5.1. 

5.2. 

6. 

Knowledge building and information .......................................................................... 8 

Information and policy debate ..................................................................................... 8 

The European Job Mobility Portal (EURES)............................................................... 8 

The European Migration Network (EMN)................................................................... 9 

Integration .................................................................................................................... 9 

Cooperation with Countries of origin ........................................................................ 10 

Instruments to support circular and return migration................................................. 10 

Training in the countries of origin ............................................................................. 10 

Conclusion.................................................................................................................. 11 

Annexes...................................................................................................................... 12 

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1. 

INTRODUCTION 

The Hague Programme, endorsed by the European Council on 4-5 November 2004, stressed 
the  importance  of  having  an  open  debate  on  economic  immigration  at  EU  level,  which  – 
together with the best practices in Member States and their relevance for the implementation 
of the Lisbon strategy – should be the basis for “a policy plan on legal migration including 
admission  procedures  capable  of  responding  promptly  to  fluctuating  demands  for  migrant 
labour in the labour market1”, to be presented by the end of 2005. This document represents 
the Commission’s response to this European Council’s request. 

On  11  January  2005  the  Commission  adopted  a  Green  Paper  on  an  EU  approach  to 
managing economic migration2 to fulfil its political mandate and launch a process of in-depth 
discussion on the most appropriate Community rules for admitting economic immigrants and 
on  the  added  value  of  adopting  such  common  measures.  The  response  to  the  public 
consultation revealed a significant political interest in this matter3 The European Parliament, 
the European Social and Economic Committee and the Committee of the Regions have also 
adopted their respective opinions4. A public hearing was held on 14 June 2005. 

The  analysis  of  the  contributions  showed  a  general  support  for  a  common  EU  policy  for 
economic immigration, albeit with important differences in the approaches to be followed and 
in the expected end result. The issues raised and the suggestions put forward represent a good 
basis for the elaboration of this document. 

Building  on  the  existing  framework,  this  Policy  Plan  defines  a  road-map  for  the  remaining 
period of The Hague Programme (2006-2009) and lists the actions and legislative initiatives 
that  the  Commission  intends  to  take,  so  as  to  pursue  the  coherent  development  of  EU  legal 
migration  policy5.  It  also  responds  to  the  Commission's  Lisbon  programme  adopted  in  July 
2005. 

1.1. 

The political context 

Over  the  past  decades,  worldwide  migration  flows  have  been  growing  considerably6. 
Economic differences between, and demographic changes within, developed and developing 
countries, on a background of trade, political problems and instability in countries of origin, 
have all contributed to a steady increase in workforce mobility.  

Given the evolving EU economic and social situation, the international context and the likely 
growth of immigration in the future, an agreement on common EU rules covering the broad 
spectrum  of  migration  issues  is  necessary  in  order  to  ensure  an  efficient  management  of 

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3http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/news/consulting_public/economic_migration/news_contributions_econ

European Council conclusions, Annex I, § III 1.4 
For details of all instruments referred to in this document, see bibliography 

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omic_migration_en.htm 
EP: A6-0286/2005; SOC/199 (CESE 694/05 ); ECOS-045 
Since 1999, 4 directives – based on Art. 63 (3) and (4) EC – containing provisions on access to work 
(long-term  residents,  family  reunification,  students,  researchers)  and  several  Communications  have 
been adopted 
ILO report 2004; World Bank report 2005; EU Economy 2005 review 

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migration  flows  both  toward  and  inside  Europe,  as  confirmed  by  the  October  2005 
Communication on European values in the globalised world7. 

It  must  be  noted  that  whilst  decisions  on  admission  numbers  for  economic  immigrants 
entering the EU in order to seek work are the responsibility of the Member States, it is clear 
that the admission of third-country nationals in one Member State may affect others and their 
labour  markets.  Moreover,  the  ongoing  deliberations  on  future  policies  must  also  take  into 
account the Community preference principle and duly consider discussions on the transitional 
measures  presently  affecting  the  freedom  of  movement  of  the  citizens  of  the  new  Member 
States and their political and economic impact. 

An  effective  migration  policy  cannot  be  limited  to  instruments  for  the  admission  of 
immigrants.  Other  equally  important  legislative  and  operational  measures  are  necessary,  as 
immigration represents a complex phenomenon that needs to be addressed coherently across 
all  its  dimensions.  Admission  of  economic  immigrants  is  as  inseparable  from  measures  on 
integration  on  the  one  hand,  as  it  is  from  the  fight  against  illegal  immigration  and 
employment,  including  trafficking,  on  the  other.  It  is  in  this  context  therefore  that  the  EU 
must  intensify  its  efforts  to  reduce  the  informal  economy,  a  clear  “pull  factor”  for  illegal 
immigration,  as  well  as  a  catalyst  for  exploitation.  Given  the  importance  of  this  issue,  a 
separate Communication on future priorities in the field of illegal immigration will be issued 
by April 2006. 

This paper therefore puts forward initiatives to be developed in all these areas, including on 
cooperation  with  countries  of  origin.  In  the  development  of  the  various  initiatives,  due 
attention will be paid to gender issues, with a view to protecting the most vulnerable groups.  

1.2. 

The Lisbon Agenda and demographic trends 

With  regard  to  economic  immigration,  the  current  situation  and  prospects  of  EU  labour 
markets  can  be  broadly  described  as  a  “need”  scenario.  Some  Member  States  already 
experience  substantial  labour  and  skills  shortages  in  certain  sectors  of  the  economy,  which 
cannot be filled within the national labour markets. This phenomenon concerns the full range 
of qualifications - from unskilled workers to top academic professionals. 

Eurostat projections8 indicate that in the EU “population growth until 2025 will be mainly due 
to  net  migration,  since  total  deaths  will  outnumber  total  births  from  2010.  The  effect  of  net 
migration  will  no  longer  outweigh  the  natural  decrease  after  2025”.  This  will  have  serious 
repercussions on the number of employed people in the EU25, as “the share of population of 
working age […] in the total population is expected to decrease strongly, from 67.2% in 2004 
to 56.7% in 2050, a fall of 52 million […]”. The decline in the total population is expected by 
2025 and in the working age population by 2011. Some Member States (Germany, Hungary, 
Italy,  Latvia)  are  already  experiencing  a  decline  in  the  working  age  population,  while  in 
others it will happen later (i.e. Ireland from 2035). These demographic trends will not affect 

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COM(2005)525 
The Eurostat set of population projections is one among several scenarios of population evolution based 
on assumptions of fertility, mortality and migration. The trend scenario does not take into account any 
future  measures  that  could  influence  demographic  trends  and  comprises  four  variants:  the  ‘baseline’ 
variant, the results of which are presented here, as well as 'high population', 'low population' and 'zero-
migration' variants. Data from STAT/05/48 

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all  Member  States  to  the  same  degree,  but  they  are  trends  that  should  be  addressed  in  a 
coordinated and effective way. 

Immigration does not provide in itself a long-term solution to falling birth rates and an ageing 
population, but it is one of the available tools within a broader policy mix. In consideration of 
the low employment and high unemployment rates in many EU countries9, priority must be 
given  to  actions  toward  attracting  more  EU  citizens  and  legally  resident  migrants  to 
employment, with the aim of fulfilling the objectives of the New Lisbon Strategy for Growth 
and  Jobs,  in  particular  the  employment  guidelines10.  In  the  short  to  mid-term,  labour 
immigration can – as part of Lisbon Strategy’s comprehensive package of measures aimed at 
increasing  the  competitiveness  of  the  EU  economy  –  positively  contribute  to  tackling  the 
effects of this demographic evolution, and will prove crucial to satisfying current and future 
labour market needs and thus ensure economic sustainability and growth. 

2. 

LEGISLATIVE MEASURES ON LABOUR IMMIGRATION 

The  public  consultation  which  was  undertaken  confirmed  the  need  to  develop  EU  common 
rules  in  this  field  and  it  also  provided  the  Commission  with  a  useful  basis  on  which  to  put 
forward balanced and realistic proposals.  

The public consultation drew the attention to possible advantages of a horizontal framework 
covering conditions of admission for all third-country nationals seeking entry into the labour 
markets  of  the  Member  States.  However,  the  Member  States  themselves  did  not  show 
sufficient support for such an approach. Moreover, there is the need to provide for sufficient 
flexibility to meet the different needs of national labour markets. Therefore, it is deemed more 
appropriate to attain the objectives of transparency, effectiveness of EU legislation and non-
discrimination  through  a  targeted  set  of  several  complementary  measures  –  a  general 
framework  directive  and  four  specific  instruments.  This  package  aims  thus  to  develop  non-
bureaucratic and flexible tools to offer a fair, rights-based approach to all labour immigrants 
on the one hand and attracting conditions for specific categories of immigrants needed in the 
EU, on the other. 

Unlike the 2001 proposal for a directive on economic migration – which intended to regulate 
the  entry  and  residence  conditions  for  all  third-country  nationals  exercising  paid  and  self-
employed  activities  –  this  package  only  addresses  the  conditions  and  the  procedures  of 
admission  for  few  selected  categories  of  economic  immigrants.  In  addition,  it  intends  to 
establish  which  rights  a  third-country  national  in  employment  shall  enjoy  once  he/she  has 
been admitted to the territory of a Member State. 

These proposals will be preceded by discussions and consultations with the relevant experts. 
The economic impact on employment and growth will also be taken into account.  

This package is not exhaustive. If appropriate, additional proposals may be presented in areas 
where further examination is needed (e.g. to address those situations where personal contacts 
between  economic  immigrants  and  future  employers  are  a  pre-requisite  for  hiring,  or  to 
regulate the self-employed, etc). 

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The EU25 seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.6% in September 2005 (as in August) ranging 
from 4.3% (IE) to 17.7% (PL). It was 9.0% in September 2004 (Eurostat: 141/2005) 
Council Decision of 12 July 2005 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States 

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2.1. 

General framework directive 

With the exception of the single application for a joint permit, this instrument will not address 
admission  conditions  and  procedures  for  economic  immigrants,  which  will  be  laid  down  in 
the specific instruments. It will also not affect the application of the Community preference11 
principle. 

The main purpose of this horizontal instrument is to guarantee a common framework of rights 
to all third-country nationals in legal employment already admitted in a Member State, but not 
yet  entitled  to  the  long-term  residence  status.  This  would  not  only  be  fair  toward  persons 
contributing with their work and tax payments to our economies, but would also contribute to 
establishing a level playing field within the EU. In this context, the question of recognition of 
diplomas  and  other  qualifications  should  be  addressed  to  avoid  the  situation  where 
immigrants  work  well  below  their  competences,  a  loss  in  terms  of  income  and  skills’ 
valorisation for the immigrant as well as for the countries of residence and origin. 

A single application for a joint work/residence permit – held by the worker and containing the 
most  advanced  biometric  identifiers  –  could  be  proposed.  While  not  significantly  affecting 
national internal procedures, it would simplify procedures for immigrants and employers. In 
order  to  limit  abuses  and  to  fight  against  illegal  employment,  the  financial  responsibility  of 
the  employer  could  be  engaged,  as  in  the  researchers  directive.  The  validity  of  such  a 
document should be inextricably linked to the existence of a legal work contract; exceptions 
to this principle could be foreseen under specific conditions of nationals labour markets, and 
will be addressed in the specific directives. 

2.2. 

Four specific directives 

It was examined whether to propose specific schemes for precise sectors of the economy or 
for broad categories of immigrants. In the present situation and given the differences between 
Member  States  in  terms  of  demographic  forecasts,  social  conditions  and  labour  market 
structures, trends and needs, it was not deemed economically and socially efficient to address 
any specific sector, as this could result in an unwanted stiffening of national labour markets. 
On the other hand, the public consultation clearly identified categories of workers for which 
common  needs  and  interests  exist.  The  intention  is  also  to  strike  a  balance  between  the 
interests of certain Member States – more inclined to attract highly skilled workers – and of 
those  needing  mainly  seasonal  workers.  These  instruments  will  be  complementary  to  the 
framework directive and will only address paid workers. 

As a general principle, admission should be conditional on the existence of a work contract 
and  on 
test”.  Exceptions  may  be  necessary  for  declared 
structural/temporary needs in certain sectors/occupations/regions. International commitments 
entered  into  by  the  EC,  or  by  the  EC  and  its  Member  States,  notably  under  the  Common 

the  “economic  needs 

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Member States will consider requests for admission to their territories for the purpose of employment 
only where vacancies in a Member State cannot be filled by national and Community manpower or by 
non-Community  manpower  lawfully  resident  on  a permanent basis  in  that  Member  State  and already 
forming  part  of  the  Member  State’s  regular  labour  market  (Council  Resolution  of  20  June  1994,  in 
connection  with  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  n°1612/1968).  It  should  be  noted  that  the  Treaties  of 
Accession  of  16  April  2003  and  25  April  2005  give  preference  to  workers  who  are  nationals  of  the 
Members States over workers who are nationals of third countries as regards access to Member States’ 
labour markets 

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Commercial  Policy,  will  need  to  be  respected.  Moreover,  ethical  recruitment  should  be 
considered for sectors particularly vulnerable to brain drain: for example, the global crisis in 
human  resources  for  health,  with  severe  health  worker  shortages  in  parts  of  Africa  in 
particular, which are compounded by the brain drain, requires a comprehensive and coherent 
approach to ethical recruitment of health workers12. 

2.2.1.  A proposal for a directive on the conditions of entry and residence of highly skilled 

workers13 

The  vast  majority  of  Member  States  need  these  workers,  because  of  shortfalls  in  the  labour 
markets pool of highly qualified workers. Furthermore, recent studies highlight for example 
that  54%  of  Med-MENA  first-generation  immigrants  with  a  university  degree  reside  in 
Canada  and  the  USA,  while  87%  of  those  having  a  lower  than  primary,  a  primary  or  a 
secondary  level  education  are  in  Europe14.  In  response  to  this  situation  a  common  special 
procedure  to  quickly  select  and  admit  such  immigrants,  as  well  as  attractive  conditions  to 
encourage them to choose Europe could be devised. In this respect, it will be further evaluated 
whether to include intra-EU mobility or to opt for a more ambitious proposal, i.e. an EU work 
permit  (EU  green  card),  issued  by  one  Member  State  but  valid  throughout  the  EU,  on  the 
understanding  that  rules  regulating  access  to  the  national  labour  markets  will  be  fully 
respected. 

Fluctuating demands for migrant labour15 can only be met by flexible facilitated procedures. 
The  proposal  could  then  provide  for  an  opening  clause,  applicable  when  there  is  a  need  for 
certain  categories  of  workers  other  than  highly  skilled  (i.e.  qualified  workers)  or  a  lack  of 
manpower  in  certain  regions.  The  only  obligation  would  be  to  report  through  the  mutual 
information system on immigration and asylum. 

2.2.2.  A  proposal  for  a  directive  on  the  conditions  of  entry  and  residence  of  seasonal 

workers 

Seasonal  workers  are  regularly  needed  in  certain  sectors,  mainly  agriculture,  building  and 
tourism, where many immigrants work illegally under precarious conditions. The scheme will 
propose  a  residence/work  permit  allowing  the  third-country  national  to  work  for  a  certain 
number of months per year for 4-5 years. Entry and exit stamps should prevent abuses.  

The aim is to provide the necessary manpower in the Member States while at the same time 
granting  a  secure  legal  status  and  a  regular  work  prospective  to  the  immigrants  concerned, 
thereby  protecting  a  particularly  weak  category  of  workers  and  also  contributing  to  the 
development  of  the  countries  of  origin16.  Even  in  presence  of  high  unemployment,  this 
category  of  immigrant  workers  rarely  conflict  with  EU  workers  as  few  EU  citizens  and 
residents are willing to engage in seasonal activities. 

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COM(2005) 642 
Other than researchers  
CARIM 2005 Report (p. 21) 
See note 1 
COM(2005)390 

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2.2.3.  A proposal for a directive on the procedures regulating the entry into, the temporary 

stay and residence of Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICT) 

This  scheme  will  set  out  common  procedures  to  regulate  the  entry  into,  temporary  stay  and 
residence  in  the  EU  of  ICT.  These  procedures  will  be  without  prejudice  to  international 
commitments entered into by the EC or by the EC and its Member States. In order to enable 
the  reallocation  of  international  companies’  key  personnel  and  specialists  within  Europe, 
intra-EU mobility of ICT should also be addressed, as it would be a clear added value of the 
EU intervention. 

2.2.4.  A proposal for a directive on the conditions of entry and residence of remunerated 

trainees 

This is a particular category of persons in training for which no common rules exist (unlike 
for unremunerated trainees17): it is therefore important to fill in this legislative gap. Allowing 
third-country nationals to acquire skills and knowledge through a period of training in Europe 
can  be  a  way  to  encourage  brain  circulation,  beneficial  for  both  the  sending  and  receiving 
country.  Safeguards  will  be  necessary  to  avoid  abuses,  i.e.  trainees  who  are  in  reality 
underpaid temporary workers. 

2.3. 

Other legislative measures  

All legal immigration and asylum directives contain provisions regulating access to work for 
the third-country nationals concerned18. After evaluation, proposals for amendment could be 
put forward with a view to achieving further harmonisation, even before the mid-term review 
foreseen in the respective texts. 

3. 

KNOWLEDGE BUILDING AND INFORMATION 

Consulted stakeholders clearly stressed the added value of EU action to ensure a better access 
to,  exchange  and  dissemination  of  information  on  various  aspects  of  migration.  They  also 
acknowledged  the  importance  of  fostering  policy  debate  and  knowledge  building.  Hence,  a 
number of tools will be developed in the next years, to achieve a substantial improvement in 
access, exchange and co-ordination of available information. The list of actions presented is 
not exhaustive, complementary activities may be envisaged.  

3.1. 

Information and policy debate 

An  EU  Immigration  Portal  –  containing  EU  policies  and  acquis,  news  and  information,  as 
well  as  links  with  the  relevant  national  websites,  the  EURES  network,  the  future  EU 
integration website, relevant research results at EU and international level, etc – will be set up 
by the end of 2007. Specific information campaigns on the EU policies on immigration will 
be  carried  out,  together  with  further  studies,  in  particular  on  job-seekers  permits  and  highly 
skilled systems. 

Targeted  EU  activities  will  support  the  debate  and  exchange  of  experiences  among 
stakeholders. The 2006 European Year of Workers Mobility and the 2007 European Year of 

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Directive 2004/114/EC 
Annex III 

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Equal  Opportunities  for  All  will  identify,  discuss  and  address  significant  issues  related  to 
third-country immigrants.  

Besides monitoring the implementation of the existing legal instruments, the Commission will 
support national and EU level awareness raising, information and training initiatives. 

3.2. 

The European Job Mobility Portal (EURES) 

The consultation process highlighted that the services provided via the European Job Mobility 
Portal  and  the  EURES19  network  to  foster  mobility  of  EU  nationals  could  also  support  the 
management  of  economic  immigration  of  third-country  nationals.  In  this  context,  the 
forthcoming  revision  of  the  EURES  Guidelines  will  provide  a  relevant  framework  to  adapt 
and  expand  services  made  available  via  the  portal,  to  respond  to  some  of  the  information 
needs  examined  above  (e.g.  provide  regular  information  on  employment  opportunities  in 
Europe, EU labour market trends, etc), optimising synergies with the future EU immigration 
portal and the European Researchers’ Mobility portal20. The new Guidelines 2007-2010 will 
provide a medium-term horizon to implement the necessary adaptations. 

3.3. 

The European Migration Network (EMN) 

EMN goal was to provide the EC, its Member States and in the longer term the general public, 
with objective, reliable and comparable information on migration and asylum21. The analysis 
of the results of the public consultation on the Green Paper on the future of the EMN22 will 
identify  the  future  priorities,  develop  adequate  structures  and  take  the  necessary  steps  to 
ensure  the  satisfactory  delivery  of  results,  in  order  to  improve  available  information.  A 
reflection on how to better streamline the various present and future EC networks and sources 
of information on migration will be carried out in this context. 

4. 

INTEGRATION 

The 2003 Communication on Immigration, Integration and Employment stressed that access 
to  the  labour  market  is  crucial  for  the  integration  of  third-country  nationals.  The  2005 
Communication on  a Common Agenda for Integration, which the Commission  will  actively 
follow up, put forward a framework for the integration of third-country nationals in the EU. 
The orientations contained in this Communication have been supported by the Council in its 
conclusions on a common agenda for integration adopted in December 2005.  

As integration cuts across various fields, including employment, urban policies and education, 
the  Commission  will  ensure  joint  efforts  to  coherently  reflect  integration  priorities  across  a 
range of policies. Among measures recommended in various relevant areas23 are reinforcing 
of  the  capacity  of  introduction  programmes  and  activities  for  legal  immigrants  and  their 
dependants.  They  should  include  information  packages  for  newly  arrived  economic 
immigrants,  as  well  as  language  and  civic  orientation  courses  aimed  at  ensuring  that 

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23 

http://europa.eu.int/eures 
http://europa.eu.int/eracareers 
Laeken European Council 
COM(2005)606 
For details: COM(2005)389 

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immigrants  understand,  respect  and  benefit  from  common  European  and  national  values. 
Education, training and cultural initiatives will continue to support integration processes. 

The  EU  assists  Member  States’  integration  policies  via  financial  instruments,  such  as  the 
Preparatory  Actions  for  integration  of  third-country  nationals  INTI.  Under  the  financial 
perspectives 2007-2013, the Commission proposed  a  new targeted solidarity instrument, the 
European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals. Its objectives – complementary 
to the European Social Fund (ESF) – are related to challenges identified with respect to third-
country nationals, and are based on Common Basic Principles on Integration agreed by JHA 
Council in November 2004. 

A  specific  priority  of  the  draft  ESF  regulation  for  2007-2013  is  to  increase  immigrants' 
participation  in  employment  and  strengthen  their  social  integration.  In  this  respect,  the 
Commission intends to give particular attention to ensure that effective action and adequate 
resources are devoted to this priority. The negotiation of the Strategic National Frameworks – 
and corresponding operational programmes – will be the institutional vehicle to ensure that in 
the coming years EU funds will be effectively used for this purpose. The European Regional 
Development Fund may also support certain integration measures. 

5. 

COOPERATION WITH COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN 

A  clear  outcome  of  the  consultation  was  the  need  to  enhance  collaboration  with  third 
countries on economic migration and to develop initiatives offering “win-win” opportunities 
to  countries  of  origin  and  destination  and  to  labour  immigrants.  One  possible  action  is 
monitoring migration of skilled workers from developing countries to the EU so as to identify 
sectors  and  countries  of  origin  subject  to  significant  brain  drain.  Discussions  within  the  EU 
and  with  these  countries  should  take  place  to  seek  possible  solutions.  Furthermore,  the 
Commission, mindful of the importance of providing more comprehensive information in the 
Countries of origin on the possibilities and conditions for legal immigration to the EU, intends 
to take the necessary steps to enlarge the sources of information presently available. 

Other  initiatives  could  be  put  forward  in  the  following  areas  and  the  EU  may  provide 
adequate financial support where possible. 

5.1. 

Instruments to support circular and return migration 

The Communication on Migration and development highlighted the importance of facilitating 
return  migration  and  circular  migration.  Its  follow-up  –  also  by  specific  measures  –  can 
contribute  significantly  to  the  development  of  an  EU  economic  migration  policy.  The 
Directive on the status of long-term residents already offers interesting possibilities, such as 
the possibility for Member States to allow returning migrants to retain this status for longer 
than  the  one  year  period  provided  for  in  Art.  9.  Feasibility  studies  are  foreseen  on  possible 
new  measures,  i.e.  long-term  multi-entry  visas  for  returning  migrants  or  the  possibility  for 
former migrants to be given priority and obtain a new residence permit for further temporary 
employment in the former host country under a simplified procedure. In this respect, an EU 
database  of  third  country  nationals  having  left  the  EU  at  the  expiration  of  their  temporary 
residence/work  permit  could  be  set  up.  A  feasibility/opportunity  analysis  of  such  database 

EN 

10 

   EN 

 
could  for  example  be  included  in  the  impact  assessment  that  should  be  carried  out  for  the 
entry-exit system24. 

Furthermore,  the  EU  should  actively  pursue  efforts  to  design  temporary  migration  schemes 
that could help maximise benefits for all interested parties, i.e. responding to labour needs in 
Member States while contributing, through eventual return, to the development of countries of 
origin and offering skills and other gains to participating migrants. 

Arrangements on managed temporary and circular migration will be included in some of the 
specific instruments (§ 2.2). 

5.2. 

Training in the countries of origin 

Irrespective of pre-departure integration measures, professional training and linguistic courses 
in the country of origin could help immigrants to develop skills and better adjust to the labour 
needs in the EU, thus facilitating their opportunities to find legal employment. The political 
opportunity  and  the  technical/financial  feasibility  of  supporting  with  EC  funding  the 
establishment of adequate training structures under the responsibility of the local authorities 
and/or of non-governmental actors will be closely explored.  

Whatever  the  actions  taken,  the  admission  of  a  worker  should  not  be  conditional  on  the 
attendance of such courses, even though facilitations could be envisaged. 

6. 

CONCLUSION 

With  this  Policy  Plan,  the  Commission  fulfils  the  mandate  of  The  Hague  Programme  and 
responds  to  the  ideas  and  suggestions  put  forward  during  the  public  consultation.  Precise 
measures will be proposed in the next four years and additional studies and analysis will be 
carried  through  (see  Annex  I).  Further  discussions  and  consultations  with  experts  from 
Member States, social partners and other relevant stakeholders will take place in due time. 

24 

COM(2005)597 

EN 

11 

   EN 

 
                                                 
I. 

Roadmap for the proposed measures 

ANNEXES 

This roadmap should be considered as indicative and not exhaustive, as other actions may be 
scheduled in the coming years. It gives an overview of the Commission’s intentions, but its 
implementation  will  depend,  amongst  other  things,  on  the  necessary  preliminary  work  – 
including impact assessments and consultations – to be carried out before putting forward the 
concrete proposals, as explained in the main text of the policy plan on legal migration. 

Year 

Policy 
Plan 
section 

2006 

2. 

Actions envisaged 

Discussion  with  and  consultation  of  the  relevant  experts  (from  Member 
States,  the  other  EU  institutions  and  international  organisations  ,  social 
partners,  civil  society,  etc)  in  preparation  of  the  possible  legislative 
instruments  for  the  entry  and  residence  of  third-country  nationals  (will 
continue throughout the 2006-2009 period). 

3.1. 

-  Research  studies  and  dissemination  of  available  results  (will  continue 
throughout  the  2006-2009  period),  in  particular  studies  on  job-seekers 
permits  and  on  highly  skilled  schemes,  including  the  creation  of  a 
possible EU green card system (for 2006); 

- Activities under the umbrella of the European Year of Workers Mobility 

- Feasibility analysis and possibly pilot phase of the EU migration portal. 

3.2.  Development of the new EURES Guidelines 

3.3. 

-  Analysis  of  the  contributions  to  the  Green  Paper  on  the  Future  of  the 
European  Migration  Network  (EMN),  adopted  in  2005,  and  selected 
expert meeting (March 2006); 

-  Depending  on  the  outcome  of  the  public  consultation:  decision  on  the 
future of EMN and, if it is to be maintained, adoption by the Commission 
of  a  proposal  to  provide  a  legal  base  for  the  network  (second  half  of 
2006). 

4. 

-  Implementation  of  measures  for  integration  via  the  ESF  (will  continue 
throughout the 2006-2009 period); 

- Annual call for proposals for preparatory actions for integration of third-
country  nationals  INTI.  INTI  should  be  followed  by  the  European  Fund 
for the Integration of third-country nationals proposed by the Commission 
under the financial perspectives 2007-2013; 

-  Handbook  on  integration  for  policy-makers  and  practitioners  –  second 

EN 

12 

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edition, covering also integration in the labour market; 

- Integration website: pilot phase. It will also contain best practice in the 
area of integration in the labour market. 

5. 

-  With  a  view  to  foster  and  facilitate  circular  migration,  analysis  of  the 
transposition  and  implementation  in  particular  of  Art.  9  of  Council 
directive 2003/109/EC (long-term residents) by the Member States (to be 
continued in 2007); 

-  Feasibility  studies  on  long-term  multi-entry  visas  and  on  how  to 
effectively implement circular migration. 

- Availability of financial support under EU financial instruments for pilot 
projects  for  the  creation  of  training  structures  in  the  countries  of  origin 
(from 2006). 

-  Presentation  by  the  Commission  of  proposals  for  the  framework 
directive and for the directive on the conditions of entry and residence of 
highly skilled workers (negotiations in Council will start in 2007 and, if 
necessary, continue in 2008). 

Starting a process of reflection on the revision of existing directives based 
on the actual implementation by the Member States, including discussion 
with  the relevant  stakeholders  (will be carried out throughout the period 
according to the transposition date of the different measures). 

2007 

2.1. 

2.2.1. 

2.3. 

3.1. 

-  Activities  under  the  umbrella  of  the  European  Year  of  Equal 
Opportunities; 

-  Launch  of  information  campaigns  explaining  the  EU  policies  on 
immigration (continuation in the following years); 

Setting-up of an operational EU migration portal (end of 2007). 

3.2. 

- Adaptation of the EURES portal. 

3.3. 

4. 

5. 

- Depending on the outcome of 2006 consultation: start-up of 'new' EMN, 
i.e.  with  legal  basis  and  new  structure  resulting  from  the  Green  Paper 
consultation and legal basis procedure, definition of longer term priorities 
(for next two years) and further consolidation and active incorporation of 
representatives from all the Member States. 

European Integration Forum to bring together a range of stakeholders at 
EU level, including social partners and local authorities. 

-  Feasibility  of  a  system  to  monitor  migration  of  skilled  workers  from 
developing  countries  to  the  EU  with  a  view  to  identifying  significant 
cases of brain drain; 

EN 

13 

   EN 

 
 
-  Feasibility  of  workable  temporary  migration  schemes,  including 
incentives to foster the voluntary return of migrants; 

-  Feasibility/opportunity  analysis  of  the  database  of  third-country 
nationals having left the EU at the end of their temporary residence/work 
permit (“returnees database”); 

-  Conference  with  the  Member  States,  third-countries  and  other  relevant 
stakeholders  on  how  to  concretely  encourage  and  develop  brain 
circulation and return migration. 

2008 

2.2.2 

-  Presentation  by  the  Commission  of  a  proposal  for  a  directive  on  the 
conditions of entry and residence of seasonal workers. 

2.3. 

Proposals for amendments of the existing directives, where necessary and 
based on the 2007 analysis and consultations (could continue in 2009 and 
after). 

3.2. 

Follow-up activities on the EURES portal. 

4. 

5. 

2009 

2.2.3. 

2.2.4 

5. 

-  Impact  assessment  on  the  implementation  of  measures  to  support 
integration  via  the  ESF  and,  if  necessary,  via  other  Community 
instruments; 

-  Setting  up  of  a  system  to  monitor  migration  of  skilled  workers  from 
developing  countries  to  the  EU  with  a  view  to  identifying  significant 
cases of brain drain; 

- Based on the 2007 feasibility analysis, possible proposal for setting up 
the “returnees database”. 

- Presentation by the Commission of two proposals for a directive on the 
procedures  regulating  the  entry  into,  temporary  stay  and  residence  of 
intra-corporate transferees and on the conditions of entry and residence of 
remunerated trainees; 

-  Based  on  preceding  studies  and  feasibility  analysis,  possible 
presentation  of  proposals  for  concretely  support  circular  and  return 
migration. 

EN 

14 

   EN 

 
 
II. 

Bibliography  

The  following  bibliography  contains  the  full  reference  of  the  documents  and  legislative 
instruments and proposals quoted in the Policy Plan, together with other documents which are 
considered  of  relevance  for  the  issues  discussed  in  the  text.  It  must  nevertheless  not  be 
considered as exhaustive of the literature/instruments existing in this field.  

A. 

Article 63 of the EC Treaty: 

“The Council […] shall adopt: 

[…] 

3. measures on immigration policy within the following areas: 

(a) conditions of entry and residence, and standards on procedures for the issue by Member 
States  of  long-term  visas  and  residence  permits,  including  those  for  the  purpose  of  family 
reunion, 

(b) illegal immigration and illegal residence, including repatriation of illegal residents; 

4. measures defining the rights and conditions under which nationals of third countries who 
are legally resident in a Member State may reside in other Member States. 

Measures  adopted  by  the  Council  pursuant  to  points  3  and  4  shall  not  prevent  any  Member 
State  from  maintaining  or  introducing  in  the  areas  concerned  national  provisions  which  are 
compatible with this Treaty and with international agreements. […]” 

B. 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

Legislative instruments and proposals: 

Council  Directive  2005/71/EC  of  12  November  2005  on  a  specific  procedure  for 
admitting third-country nationals for purposes of scientific research; 

Council Recommendation 2005/762/EC of 12 October 2005 to facilitate the admission 
of third-country nationals to carry out scientific research in the European Community; 

Recommendation 2005/761/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 
September  2005  to  facilitate  the  issue  by  the  Member  States  of  uniform  short-stay 
visas  for  researchers  from  third  countries  travelling  within  the  Community  for  the 
purpose of carrying out scientific research; 

Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  on  the  establishment  of  a  mutual  information 
procedure  concerning  Member  States’  measures  in  the  areas  of  asylum  and 
immigration, COM(2005)480 final; 

Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on 
Community statistics on migration and international protection, COM(2005)375 final; 

Council  Decision  of  12  July  2005  on  guidelines  for  the  employment  policies  of  the 
Member States, OJ L 205 of 06.08.2005 (New Lisbon Agenda). 

EN 

15 

   EN 

 
(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

Council Directive 2004/114/EC of 13 December 2004 on the conditions of admission 
of third-country nationals for the purposes of studies, pupil exchange, unremunerated 
training or voluntary service (applicable as of 12 January 2007); 

Council Directive 2003/109/EC of 25 November 2003 concerning the status of third-
country nationals who are long-term residents (applicable as of 26 January 2006) 

Council  Directive  2003/86/EC  of  22  September  2003  on  the  right  to  family 
reunification (applicable as of 3 October 2005);  

(10)  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  859/2003  of  14  May  2003  extending  the  provisions  of 
Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 and Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 to nationals of third 
countries  who  are  not  already  covered  by  those  provisions  solely  on  the  ground  of 
their nationality; 

(11)  Proposal  for  a  Council  Directive  on  the  conditions  of  entry  and  residence  of  third-
country  nationals  for  the  purpose  of  paid  employment  and  self-employed  economic 
activities (COM(2001)386); 

(12)  Council  Directive  2000/43/EC  of  29  June  2000  implementing  the  principle  of  equal 

treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin;  

(13)  Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework 

for equal treatment in employment and occupation;  

(14)  Council Resolution of 20 June 1994 on limitations on the admission of third-country 

nationals to the territory of the Member States for employment; 

(15)  Council  Resolution  of  30  November  1994  relating  to  the  limitations  admission  of 
third-country  nationals  to  the  territory  of  the  Member  States  for  the  purpose  of 
pursuing activities as self-employed persons; 

(16)  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  n°1612/1968  on  freedom  of  movement  for  workers  (in 

particular, article 19(2) for the “Community preference”). 

C. 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

Commission Communications: 

Communication from the Commission on EU/EC Strategy for Action on the Crisis in 
Human Resources for Health in Developing Countries, COM(2005) 642; 

Communication  from  the  Commission  on  Priority  actions  for  responding  to  the 
challenges of migration: first follow up to Hampton Court, COM(2005)621 final; 

Green paper on The future of the European migration network, COM(2005)606 final; 

Communication  from 
the  Commission  on  Improved  effectiveness,  enhanced 
interoperability and synergies among European databases in the area of Justice and 
Home Affairs, COM(2005)597 final;  

Communication  from  the  Commission  on  European  values  in  the  globalised  world: 
Contribution  of  the  Commission  to  the  October  Meeting  of  Heads  of  State  and 
Government, COM(2005)525 final;  

EN 

16 

   EN 

 
(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

Communication  from  the  Commission  on  A  Common  Agenda  for  Integration: 
Framework  for  the  Integration  of  Third-Country  Nationals  in  the  European  Union, 
COM (2005)389 final; 

Communication from the Commission on Migration and Development: Some concrete 
orientations, COM (2005)390 final; 

Green  Paper  on  Confronting  demographic  change:  a  new  solidarity  between  the 
generations, COM(2005)94 final; 

Green  Paper  on  An  EU  approach  to  managing  economic  migration,  COM(2004)811 
final; 

(10)  Communication  from  the  Commission  Study  on  the  links  between  legal  and  illegal 

immigration, COM (2004)412 final; 

(11)  First Annual Report on Migration and Integration, COM(2004)508 final; 

(12)  Communication  from  the  Commission  on  Immigration,  integration  and  employment, 

COM(2003)336 final; 

(13)  Communication  from  the  Commission  on  Integrating  migration  issues  in  the  EU 

relations with third countries, COM(2002)703 final; 

(14)  Communication  from  the  Commission  on  A  Community  immigration  policy, 

COM(2000)757 final; 

Eurostat publications and statistics: 

release,  141/2005  of  4  November  2005, 
Eurostat,  Euro-indicators,  news 
Unemployment 
2005 
(http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_
CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2005/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2005_MONTH_11/3-
04112005-EN-BP.PDF). 

September 

data 

of 

Eurostat, Statistics in Focus, Population and Social Conditions, 15/2005, Population in 
Europe  2004  –  First  results  (http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-
NK-05-015/EN/KS-NK-05-015-EN.PDF). 

Eurostat,  news  release,  STAT/05/48  of  8  April  2005,  Population  projections  2004-
2050 
(http://epp.eurostat.cec.eu.int/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_
CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2005/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2005_MONTH_04/3-
08042005-EN-AP.PDF). 

Studies and other documents: 

Council  Conclusions  on  A  Common  Agenda  for  Integration,  Council  Document 
14390/05 of 1-2 December 2005; 

European Commission, The 2005 EPC projections of age-related expenditure (2004-
2050)  for  the  EU-25  Member  States:  underlying  assumptions  and  projection 

D. 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

E. 

(1) 

(2) 

EN 

17 

   EN 

 
methodologies,  European  Economy  Special  Reports  N°19,  November  2005 
(http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/publications/occasional_papers/2005/oc
p19en.pdf); 

European  Commission  –  European  University  Institute  –  CARIM,  Mediterranean 
Migration – 2005 report, (http://www.carim.org/Publications/AR2005CARIM.pdf); 

European Commission, DG Justice, Freedom and Security, Handbook on integration 
for policy makers and practitioners, November 2004, written by the Migration Policy 
Group,  Brussels.  The  handbook  can  be  downloaded  from  the  following  address: 
http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/doc_centre/immigration/integration/doc/hand
book_en.pdf; 

Common  Basic  Principles  on  integration,  Council  Document  14615/04  of  19 
November 2004; 

Studies  on  labour  migration,  Migration  Research  Group,  Hamburg  Institute  for 
International  Economics  (HWWA),  Germany;  papers  prepared  for  the  European 
Commission,  DG  Employment  and  Social  Affairs,  June  2004,  available  at: 
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/employment_analysis/immigr_new_stu
d_en.htm. The papers examine best practice regarding recruitment of labour migrants, 
projecting future labour needs and labour market integration in the European countries 
as  well  as  in  other  industrialised  countries.  They  were  prepared  by  experts  from  the 
MRG, in cooperation with the Migration Policy Institute, Washington DC; 

Admission  of  third-country  nationals  for  paid  employment  or  self-employed  activity, 
European Commission, Directorate General for Justice and Home Affairs, 2001, ISBN 
92-894-1689-0.  The  study,  undertaken  by  Ecotec  Research  and  Consulting  Limited 
between  November  1999  and  May  2000,  analysed  and  compared  the  legal  and 
administrative  frameworks  in  the  EU-15  concerning  the  admission  of  third-country 
nationals  to  the  EU  Member  States  for  the  purposes  of  paid  employment  and  self-
employment. 

International organisations’ studies and documents: 

Report  of  the  Global  Commission  on  International  Migration,  Migration  in  an 
interconnected world: New directions for action, November 2005 (www.gcim.org); 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

D. 

(1) 

(2)  World  Bank  report,  International  Migration,  Remittances  and  the  Brain  Drain,  eds. 
M. 
2005 
Özden, 
(http://econ.worldbank.org/external/default/main?theSitePK=1572893&contentMDK=
20693491&pagePK=64168182&piPK=64168060); 

October 

Schiff 

York 

New 

and 

C. 

(3) 

(4) 

ILO  action  plan  on  migrant  workers  adopted  by  the  2004  International  Labour 
Conference(http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/migrant/download/ilcmig_res
-eng.pdf); 

International  Labour  Organisation,  Towards  a  fair  deal  for  migrant  workers  in  the 
global  economy  (http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/relm/ilc/ilc92/pdf/rep-
vi.pdf), Geneva 2004. 

EN 

18 

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III. 

EU acquis concerning the right to work for third-county nationals 

Directive 

Transposition 
deadline 

Article(s) 
concerning 
the right to 
work 

Text of the Article 

giving 

1.  Directive  2001/55/EC 
on  minimum  standards 
for 
temporary 
protection  in  the  event  of 
a mass influx of displaced 
persons  and  on  measures 
promoting  a  balance  of 
efforts  between  Member 
States  in  receiving  such 
persons  and  bearing  the 
consequences 
thereof, 
Official  Journal  L  212, 
07/08/2001  P.  0012 
- 
0023 

for 

2.  Directive  2003/9/EC 
laying  down  minimum 
the 
standards 
reception 
asylum 
of 
seekers,  Official  Journal 
L  031,  06/02/2003  P. 
0018 - 0025 

3.  Directive  2003/86/EC 
on  the  right  to  family 
Official 
reunification, 
251, 
Journal 
03/10/2003  P.  0012 
- 
0018 

L 

31.12.2002 

12 

6.2.2005 

11 

The  Member  States  shall  authorise,  for  a  period  not 
exceeding  that  of  temporary  protection,  persons  enjoying 
temporary  protection  to  engage  in  employed  or  self-
employed  activities,  subject  to  rules  applicable  to  the 
profession,  as  well  as  in  activities  such  as  educational 
opportunities  for  adults,  vocational  training  and  practical 
workplace  experience.  For  reasons  of 
labour  market 
policies,  Member  States  may  give  priority  to  EU  citizens 
and  citizens  of  States  bound  by  the  Agreement  on  the 
European Economic Area and also to legally resident third-
country  nationals  who  receive  unemployment  benefit.  The 
general  law  in  force  in  the  Member  States  applicable  to 
remuneration,  access  to  social  security  systems  relating  to 
employed  or  self-employed  activities  and  other  conditions 
of employment shall apply. 

1. Member States shall determine a period of time, starting 
from  the  date  on  which  an  application  for  asylum  was 
lodged,  during which  an  applicant  shall  not  have  access  to 
the labour market. 

2.  If  a  decision  at  first  instance  has  not  been  taken  within 
one  year  of  the  presentation  of  an  application  for  asylum 
and this delay cannot be attributed to the applicant, Member 
States shall decide the conditions for granting access to the 
labour market for the applicant. 

3.  Access  to  the  labour  market  shall  not  be  withdrawn 
during  appeals  procedures,  where  an  appeal  against  a 
negative  decision  in  a  regular  procedure  has  suspensive 
effect, until such time as a negative decision on the appeal 
is notified. 

4.  For  reasons  of  labour  market  policies,  Member  States 
may  give  priority  to  EU  citizens  and  nationals  of  States 
parties  to  the  Agreement  on  the  European  Economic  Area 
and also to legally resident third-country nationals. 

3.10.2005 

14 

1.  The  sponsor's  family  members  shall  be  entitled,  in  the 
same way as the sponsor, to: (…) 

(b) access to employment and self-employed activity; (…) 

2. Member States may decide according to national law the 
conditions  under  which  family  members  shall  exercise  an 
employed or self-employed activity. These conditions shall 
set  a  time  limit  which  shall  in  no  case  exceed  12  months, 
during which Member States may examine the situation of 
their  labour  market  before  authorising  family  members  to 
exercise an employed or self-employed activity. 

3.  Member  States  may  restrict  access  to  employment  or 
self-employed activity by first-degree relatives in the direct 
ascending line or adult unmarried children to whom Article 
4(2) applies. 

4. Directive 2003/109/EC 
concerning  the  status  of 
nationals 
third-country 
long-term 
who 
residents, Official Journal 
L  016,  23/01/2004  P. 

are 

23.1.2006 

11 

1.  Long-term  residents  shall  enjoy  equal  treatment  with 
nationals as regards: 

(a)  access  to  employment  and  self-employed  activity, 
provided  such  activities  do  not  entail  even  occasional 
involvement  in  the  exercise  of  public  authority,  and 

EN 

19 

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0044 - 0053 

21 

6.8.2006 

11 

10.10.2006 

26 

to 

5.  Directive  2004/81/EC 
on  the  residence  permit 
issued 
third-country 
nationals who are victims 
of  trafficking  in  human 
beings  or  who  have  been 
the subject of an action to 
illegal 
facilitate 
who 
immigration, 
with 
cooperate 
the 
competent 
authorities, 
Official  Journal  L  261, 
06/08/2004  P.  0019  – 
0023 

6.  Directive  2004/83/EC 
on  minimum  standards 
for  the  qualification  and 
third  country 
status  of 
nationals 
stateless 
or 
persons  as  refugees  or  as 
persons  who  otherwise 
international 
need 
protection and the content 
of  the  protection  granted, 
Official  Journal  L  304, 
30/09/2004  P.  0012 
- 
0023 

conditions  of  employment  and  working  conditions, 
including conditions regarding dismissal and remuneration; 
(…) 

3.  Member  States  may  restrict  equal  treatment  with 
nationals in the following cases: 

(a)  Member  States  may  retain  restrictions  to  access  to 
employment  or  self-employed  activities  in  cases  where,  in 
accordance with existing national or Community legislation, 
these  activities  are  reserved  to  nationals,  EU  or  EEA 
citizens; 

(b)  Member  States  may  require  proof  of  appropriate 
language  proficiency  for  access  to  education  and  training. 
Access  to  university  may  be  subject  to  the  fulfilment  of 
specific educational prerequisites. 

1.  As  soon  as  they  have  received  the  residence  permit 
provided  for  by  Article  19  in  the  second  Member  State, 
long-term residents shall in that Member State enjoy equal 
treatment in the areas and under the conditions referred to in 
Article 11. 

2.  Long-term  residents  shall  have  access  to  the  labour 
market in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1. 

Member  States may  provide  that  the  persons  referred to  in 
Article  14(2)(a)  shall  have  restricted  access  to  employed 
activities  different  than  those  for  which  they  have  been 
granted  their  residence  permit  under  the  conditions  set  by 
national legislation for a period not exceeding 12 months. 

Member States may decide in accordance with national law 
the conditions under which the persons referred to in Article 
14(2)(b)  or  (c)  may  have  access  to  an  employed  or  self-
employed activity. 

1. Member States shall define the rules under which holders 
of the residence permit shall be authorised to have access to 
the labour market, to vocational training and education. 

Such access shall be limited to the duration of the residence 
permit. 

2. The conditions and the procedures for authorising access 
to  the  labour  market,  to  vocational  training  and  education 
shall  be  determined,  under  the  national  legislation,  by  the 
competent authorities. 

1.  Member  States  shall  authorise  beneficiaries  of  refugee 
status  to  engage  in  employed  or  self-employed  activities 
subject to rules generally applicable to the profession and to 
the public service, immediately after the refugee status has 
been granted. 

2.  Member  States  shall  ensure  that  activities  such  as 
employment-related  education  opportunities  for  adults, 
vocational  training  and  practical  workplace  experience  are 
offered  to  beneficiaries  of  refugee  status,  under  equivalent 
conditions as nationals. 

3. Member States shall authorise beneficiaries of subsidiary 
protection  status  to  engage  in  employed  or  self-employed 
activities  subject  to  rules  generally  applicable  to  the 

EN 

20 

   EN 

 
 
profession  and  to  the  public  service  immediately  after  the 
subsidiary protection status has been granted. The situation 
of  the  labour  market  in  the  Member  States  may  be  taken 
into  account,  including  for  possible  prioritisation  of  access 
to employment for a limited period of time to be determined 
in  accordance  with  national  law.  Member  States  shall 
ensure  that  the  beneficiary  of  subsidiary  protection  status 
has access to a post for which the beneficiary has received 
an  offer  in  accordance  with  national  rules  on  prioritisation 
in the labour market. 

that  beneficiaries  of 
4.  Member  States  shall  ensure 
subsidiary protection status have access to activities such as 
employment-related  education  opportunities  for  adults, 
vocational  training  and  practical  workplace  experience, 
under conditions to be decided by the Member States. 

5.  The  law  in  force  in  the  Member  States  applicable  to 
remuneration,  access  to  social  security  systems  relating  to 
employed  or  self-employed  activities  and  other  conditions 
of employment shall apply. 

1.  Outside  their  study  time  and  subject  to  the  rules  and 
conditions  applicable  to  the  relevant  activity  in  the  host 
Member State, students shall be entitled to be employed and 
may  be  entitled 
to  exercise  self-employed  economic 
activity.  The  situation  of  the  labour  market  in  the  host 
Member State may be taken into account. 

Where necessary, Member States shall grant students and/or 
employers  prior  authorisation  in  accordance  with  national 
legislation. 

2.  Each  Member  State  shall  determine  the  maximum 
number  of  hours  per  week  or  days  or  months  per  year 
allowed for such an activity, which shall not be less than 10 
hours  per  week,  or  the  equivalent  in  days  or  months  per 
year. 

3.  Access  to  economic  activities  for  the  first  year  of 
residence may be restricted by the host Member State. 

4. Member States may require students to report, in advance 
or  otherwise,  to  an  authority  designated  by  the  Member 
State  concerned,  that  they  are  engaging  in  an  economic 
activity. Their employers may also be subject to a reporting 
obligation, in advance or otherwise. 

1. A research organisation wishing to host a researcher shall 
sign  a  hosting  agreement  with  the  latter  whereby  the 
researcher  undertakes  to  complete  the  research  project  and 
the  organisation  undertakes  to  host  the  researcher  for  that 
purpose (…). 

2. Research organisations may sign hosting agreements only 
if the following conditions are met: 

(a)  the  research  project  has  been  accepted  by  the  relevant 
authorities in the organisation, after examination of: 

(i)  the  purpose  and  duration  of  the  research,  and  the 
availability of the necessary financial resources for it to be 
carried out; 

(ii) the researcher’s qualifications in the light of the research 
objectives (…) 

(b)  during  his  /her  stay  the  researcher  will  have  sufficient 
monthly  resources  to  meet  his  /  her  expenses  and  return 
travel  costs  in  accordance  with  the  minimum  amount 
published  for  the  purpose  by  the  Member  State,  without 

12.1.2007 

17 

7. Directive 2004/114/EC 
the  conditions  of 
on 
admission 
third-
of 
country  nationals  for  the 
purposes of studies, pupil 
exchange,  unremunerated 
training 
voluntary 
or 
service,  Official  Journal 
L  375,  23/12/2004  P. 
0012 - 0018 

10.2007 

6 

8. Directive 2005/71/EC - 
on  a  specific  procedure 
admitting 
for 
third-country 
nationals 
for  purposes  of  scientific 
research,  Official  Journal 
L 289, 3/11/2005 P. 0015 
- 0022 –  

EN 

21 

   EN 

 
having  recourse  to  the  Member  State’s  social  assistance 
system; 

(c)  during  his  /her  stay  the  researcher  will  have  sickness 
insurance for all the risks normally covered for nationals of 
the Member State concerned. 

(d) the hosting agreement shall specify the legal relationship 
and working conditions of the researchers. 

3. (…). 

4. The hosting agreement shall automatically lapse when the 
researcher  is  not  admitted  or  when  the  legal  relationship 
between  the  researcher  and  the  research  organisation  is 
terminated.  

5. (…) 

Researchers  admitted  under  this  Directive  may  teach  in 
accordance with national legislation. 

Member States may set a maximum number of hours or of 
days for the activity of teaching 

Holders  of  a  residence  permit  shall  be  entitled  to  equal 
treatment with nationals as regards: 

recognition  of  diplomas,  certificates  and  other 
(a) 
professional  qualifications  in  accordance  with  the  relevant 
national procedures; 

(b)working conditions, including pay and dismissal; 

(…) 

11 

12 

EN 

22 

   EN 

 
IV. 

Statistics 

Table  1  -  Population  projections  for  the  EU25  +  Bulgaria  and  Romania:  Total 
population 

Member States 

EU25 
EU15 
New Member States 
Belgium 
Czech Republic 
Denmark 
Germany 
Estonia 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Cyprus 
Latvia 
Lithuania 
Luxembourg 
Hungary 
Malta 
Netherlands 
Austria 
Poland 
Portugal 
Slovenia 
Slovakia 
Finland 
Sweden 
United Kingdom 
Bulgaria 
Romania 

Population at 1 January 
(1000 inhabitants) 
2025 
2015 
470 057 
467 307 
398 780 
394 727 
71 278 
72 580 
10 898 
10 674 
9 812 
10 012 
5 557 
5 498 
82 108 
82 864 
1 224 
1 279 
11 394 
11 390 
45 556 
45 264 
64 392 
62 616 
4 922 
4 555 
57 751 
58 630 
 897 
828 
2 068 
2 174 
3 134 
3 258 
544 
499 
9 588 
9 834 
468 
 439 
17 429 
16 957 
8 501 
8 358 
36 836 
37 429 
10 730 
10 762 
2 014 
2 019 
5 237 
5 309 
5 439 
5 354 
9 769 
9 373 
63 792 
61 934 
6 465 
7 130 
19 746 
20 917 

2004 
456 815 
382 674 
74 141 
10 396 
10 212 
5 398 
82 532 
1 351 
11 041 
42 345 
59 901 
4 028 
57 888 
730 
2 319 
3 446 
452 
10 117 
400 
16 258 
8 114 
38 191 
10 475 
1 996 
5 380 
5 220 
8 976 
59 652 
7 801 
21 711 

2050 
449 831 
384 356 
65 475 
10 906 
8 894 
5 430 
74 642 
1 126 
10 632 
42 834 
65 704 
5 478 
52 709 
975 
1 873 
2 881 
643 
8 915 
 508 
17 406 
8 216 
33 665 
10 009 
1 901 
4 738 
5 217 
10 202 
64 330 
5 094 
17 125 

Source: Eurostat; data for France refers to Metropolitan France  

Percentage increase with 
respect to 1.1.2004 
2025 

2050 

2015 

2.3 
3.1 
-2.1 
2.7 
-2.0 
1.9 
0.4 
-5.3 
3.2 
6.9 
4.5 
13.1 
1.3 
13.3 
-6.3 
-5.5 
10.4 
-2.8 
9.8 
4.3 
3.0 
-2.0 
2.7 
1.1 
-1.3 
2.6 
4.4 
3.8 
-8.6 
-3.7 

2.9 
4.2 
-3.9 
4.8 
-3.9 
2.9 
-0.5 
-9.4 
3.2 
7.6 
7.5 
22.2 
-0.2 
22.8 
-10.8 
-9.1 
20.5 
-5.2 
17.0 
7.2 
4.8 
-3.5 
2.4 
0.9 
-2.7 
4.2 
8.8 
6.9 
-17.1 
-9.1 

-1.5 
0.4 
-11.7 
4.9 
-12.9 
0.6 
-9.6 
-16.6 
-3.7 
1.2 
9.7 
36.0 
-8.9 
33.5 
-19.2 
-16.4 
42.3 
-11.9 
27.1 
7.1 
1.3 
-11.8 
-4.4 
-4.8 
-11.9 
-0.1 
13.7 
7.8 
-34.7 
-21.1 

Over the next two decades the total population of the EU25 is expected to increase by more 
than  13  million  inhabitants,  from  456.8  million  on  1  January  2004  to  470.1  million  on  1 
January 2025. Population growth in the EU25 until 2025 will be mainly due to net migration, 
since  total  deaths  in  the  EU25  will  outnumber  total  births  from  2010.  The  effect  of  net 
migration will no longer outweigh the natural decrease after 2025, when the population will 
start to decline gradually. The population will reach 449.8 million on 1 January 2050, that is a 
decrease  of  more  than  20  million  inhabitants  compared  to  2025.  Over  the  whole  projection 
period  the  EU25  population  will  decrease  by  1.5%,  resulting  from  a  0.4%  increase  for  the 
EU15 and a 11.7% decrease for the ten new Member States.  

EN 

23 

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Table  2  -  Population  projections  for  the  EU25  +  Bulgaria  and  Romania:  population 
structure– Main age groups  

Percentage aged 0-14 

Percentage aged 15-64 

Percentage aged 65+ 

2004 

2025 

2050 

2004 

2025 

2050 

2004 

2025 

2050 

EU25 

EU15 

16.4 

14.4 

13.4 

67.2 

63.0 

56.7 

16.4 

22.6 

29.9 

16.3 

14.4 

13.5 

66.7 

62.8 

56.5 

17.0 

22.8 

30.0 

New Member States 

16.7 

14.4 

13.2 

69.7 

64.5 

57.7 

13.6 

21.1 

29.1 

Belgium 

17.3 

15.6 

14.7 

65.6 

61.9 

57.6 

17.1 

22.5 

27.7 

Czech Republic 

15.2 

13.5 

12.6 

70.8 

64.1 

56.5 

14.0 

22.4 

30.9 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Greece 

Spain 

France5 

Ireland 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

18.9 

15.9 

15.7 

66.2 

62.9 

60.2 

14.9 

21.2 

24.1 

14.7 

12.9 

11.9 

67.3 

62.5 

56.5 

18.0 

24.6 

31.6 

16.0 

16.2 

14.8 

67.9 

63.9 

59.6 

16.1 

19.9 

25.6 

14.5 

13.3 

12.3 

67.7 

63.9 

55.2 

17.8 

22.8 

32.5 

14.5 

12.8 

11.5 

68.6 

65.2 

52.9 

16.9 

22.0 

35.6 

18.6 

16.7 

15.8 

65.1 

60.9 

57.0 

16.3 

22.4 

27.2 

20.9 

18.2 

16.0 

68.0 

65.3 

57.8 

11.1 

16.5 

26.2 

14.2 

12.1 

11.2 

66.6 

62.9 

53.5 

19.2 

25.0 

35.3 

20.0 

15.6 

13.3 

68.1 

65.2 

60.5 

11.9 

19.2 

26.2 

15.4 

16.2 

14.8 

68.4 

64.1 

59.1 

16.2 

19.7 

26.1 

Lithuania 

17.7 

15.1 

13.7 

67.3 

65.7 

59.6 

15.0 

19.2 

26.7 

Luxembourg 

18.8 

17.1 

16.6 

67.1 

64.9 

61.3 

14.1 

18.0 

22.1 

Hungary 

Malta 

15.9 

14.3 

13.8 

68.6 

63.7 

58.1 

15.5 

22.0 

28.1 

18.2 

15.6 

14.5 

68.7 

63.1 

60.8 

13.1 

21.3 

24.7 

Netherlands 

18.5 

16.1 

15.8 

67.6 

63.3 

60.7 

13.9 

20.6 

23.5 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

16.3 

13.8 

12.3 

68.2 

64.1 

57.3 

15.5 

22.1 

30.4 

17.2 

14.6 

13.0 

69.8 

64.3 

57.6 

13.0 

21.1 

29.4 

15.7 

14.2 

13.1 

67.4 

63.7 

55.0 

16.9 

22.1 

31.9 

14.6 

13.4 

12.8 

70.4 

63.8 

56.0 

15.0 

22.8 

31.2 

17.6 

14.0 

12.8 

70.9 

67.1 

57.9 

11.5 

18.9 

29.3 

17.6 

16.0 

15.3 

66.8 

59.4 

57.8 

15.6 

24.6 

26.9 

17.8 

17.1 

16.3 

65.0 

60.7 

59.4 

17.2 

22.2 

24.3 

EN 

24 

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United Kingdom 

18.3 

16.1 

14.7 

65.7 

63.0 

58.7 

16.0 

20.9 

26.6 

Bulgaria 

Romania 

Source: Eurostat 

14.2 

11.7 

11.5 

68.7 

64.5 

55.0 

17.1 

23.8 

33.5 

16.4 

14.1 

12.5 

69.1 

66.9 

57.9 

14.5 

19.0 

29.6 

The share of the population of working age (between 15 and 64) in the total population is expected to 
decrease  strongly  in  the  EU25,  from  67.2%  in  2004  to  56.7%  in  2050,  that  is  a  fall  of  52  million 
inhabitants of working age. The share of the population aged between 0 and 14 will also be reduced, 
from  16.4%  in  2004  to  13.4%  in  2050,  while  the  proportion  of  elderly  people (aged  65  and  more)  is 
expected to almost double over this period, from 16.4% in 2004 to 29.9% in 2050. 

EN 

25 

   EN 

 
Table 3 – Net migration, including corrections (in thousands) 

Source: Eurostat estimates 

Net  migration  is  the  difference  between  immigration  into  and  emigration  from  the  area 
during the year (net migration is therefore negative when the number of emigrants exceeds the 

0.1 

0.2
29.3

1.7  -3.4  -3.0

1.8 15.1
9.9 10.2 12.0

12.9
8.8 -28.0
10.1
9.4

  1992  1993  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001  2002  2003
EU (25 countries)  1118.4 826.0 632.5 732.7 658.0 468.5 644.6 905.7 993.2 1311.5 1707.3 2091.5
EU (15 countries)  1216.1 896.9 678.8 765.9 684.2 482.8 665.1 903.2 1055.6 1321.8 1701.2 2052.1
 1139.9 763.0 533.2 608.6 556.8 377.4 429.3 716.1 852.6 1096.9 1534.2 1755.9
Euro-zone 
35.7  40.5  35.6
9.8 11.6 16.7
  25.7  18.3  17.3
Belgium 
-8.5  12.3  25.8
9.5
  11.8  5.5  10.0
Czech Republic 
  11.6  11.4  10.5 28.6 17.5 12.1 11.0
7.0
9.6 
12.0 
Denmark 
  776.3 462.4 315.6 398.3 281.5 93.4 47.0 202.1 167.8 274.8  218.8  142.2
Germany 
  -41.5 -28.3 -20.9 -15.6 -13.4 -6.9 -6.7 -1.1
0.0
0.2 
Estonia 
37.8  38.0  35.8
  94.5  86.5  78.1 77.3 70.9 61.5 54.8 45.1
Greece 
  54.2  59.2  54.7 60.4 73.5 83.6 148.8 227.3 378.5 427.8  649.9  738.5
Spain 
50.1
60.4  65.1  55.0
  36.5  16.5  -3.5 -14.5 -18.5 -13.5 -6.5 45.0
France 
31.5
38.8  32.7  31.3
6.0 15.9 17.4 16.2 24.3
Ireland 
55.2
47.6  349.3  600.6
  27.8  24.2  25.7 31.5 59.5 55.7 64.1 46.4
Italy 
6.9  12.4
4.0
  10.7  8.7  7.0
4.2
6.6
Cyprus 
-0.9
-1.8 
  -53.5 -32.4 -22.8 -13.8 -10.1 -9.4 -5.8 -4.1
-5.4
Latvia 
-6.3
-1.9 
  -24.5 -24.0 -24.2 -23.7 -23.4 -22.4 -22.1 -20.7 -20.3
Lithuania 
4.4
4.3
2.1
2.6 
3.5
Luxembourg 
  18.5  18.2  18.0 17.8 17.8 17.5 17.3 16.8
3.5  15.5
16.7
Hungary 
0.5
1.8
2.0 
9.9
Malta 
  43.2  44.5  20.4 15.0 21.3 30.5 44.1 43.9
56.0  27.6 
57.0
7.0
Netherlands 
43.5  34.8  38.2
8.5 19.8
2.1
  71.5  33.5  3.1
17.2
Austria 
  -11.6 -16.8 -19.0 -18.2 -12.8 -11.7 -13.2 -14.0 -19.6 -16.8  -18.0  -13.8
Poland 
64.9  70.1  63.5
Portugal 
3.6
2.2 
Slovenia 
2.2
1.4
0.9 
Slovakia 
4.0
5.8
5.2 
Finland 
28.6  30.9  28.7
5.8
Sweden 
United Kingdom    44.8  90.2  84.2 117.0 104.0 87.4 213.8 164.2 168.5 184.3  126.4  260.5
number  of  immigrants).  Since  most  countries  either  do  not  have  accurate  figures  on 
immigration and emigration or have no figures at all, net migration is estimated on the basis 
of  the  difference  between  population  change  and  natural  increase  between  two  dates.  The 
statistics on net migration are therefore affected by all the statistical inaccuracies in the two 
components of this equation, especially population change.  

47.1
-4.5  8.4  17.3 22.3 26.2 29.4 32.3 38.0
2.7
0.8 -3.5 -1.4 -5.5 10.9
-5.5  -4.5  0.0
1.5 -22.4
1.3
1.8
2.9
-2.9  1.7  4.7
4.8
9.1  9.1  3.7
2.4
3.4
4.5
4.2
24.5
5.9 11.0 13.6
  19.8  32.1  50.8 11.7

4.6 
-5.2 
-2.5 
3.3 
9.8 
2.2 

0.9  1.0  1.0 -0.2

4.1  3.9  3.8

4.9 
1.1 
6.1 

6.0

5.5

4.2

3.5

3.6

3.8

0.7

0.6

0.4

3.9

1.5

The table above shows that most EU Member States are now immigration countries and that 
even those which are still emigration countries (Latvia, Lithuania and Poland) are in the path 
towards  becoming  immigration  countries  as  well,  as  negative  net  migration  is  gradually 
evolving towards migratory balance. 

EN 

26 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 4: Estimates of Annual Inflows of Work Permit Holders in 16 EU Countries 

Country 

All Work 
Permit 
Holders 

Professionals 
with Work 
Permits 

Total 
Employment 
2002 

Comments 

DK 

DE 

ES 

FR 

IE 

IT 

LV 

LT 

HU 

NL 

PL 

SK 

FI 

SE 

UK 

1600 

165000 

65000 

31200 

500 

3300 

2741000  2003. Professionals relate to occupations requiring special 

skills which are in demand  

36275000  2003. Figures relate to non-EU persons arriving in Germany. 
The total includes multiple entries, the vast majority of whom 
are unskilled. Professional category relates only to “Green 
Card” scheme for IT specialists 

- 

16241000  Approximate net estimate for 2002/2003 for the rise in the 

numbers in the SI system (excluding EU nationals) 

12400 

23885000  Professionals covers the inflows of those with Autorisations 

Provisoire de Travail (APTs) and qualified “travailleurs 
permanents” in 2003. 

16100 

2000 

1750000  2003 data. Professionals include WP holders with 

occupations defined as in ISCO88 and the highly skilled on 
Working Visas. New member States (EU10) are excluded. 

78800 

500 

21757000  Visas issued to non EU nationals in 2003 for self 

employment and contract work. Professional figure is 
reserved quota for highly skilled.  

2800 

500 

40300 

38000 

5600 

1000 

13100 

6700 

89200 

- 

160 

3800 

10900 

1700 

- 

1700 

4300 

15800 

987000  2002 

1421000  2003 

3868000  No. of non-EU workers holding valid WPs on 31/12/03. 
Professionals have "college" or "university " education. 

8176000  2003  

13820000  Estimated new permits (i.e. excl renewals) for non-EU 

persons in 2002.Professionals are those classed as "experts 
and consultants" 
2111000  Total non-EU inflow for 2002 

2406000  2003. Covers non-EU WP holders. 

4348000  2002. Covers non-EU WP holders. 

28338000  2003 data. Persons who entered the UK from abroad on WPs 
in 2003. Excludes renewals and "first permissions" for those 
already resident in the UK. Professions defined as in ISCO 
88. Includes small number of EU10 citizens.  

Total 

EU25 

(554900) 

(57060) 

168124000 

633200 (est) 

74300 (est) 

191841000 

Source:  Study  on  assessing  the  question  of  applying  numerical  ceilings  to  the  temporary  movement  of  contract  service 
suppliers  (Mode  4)  in  the  context  of  the  GATS  negotiations  on  trade  in  services.  Prepared  by  Prof.  J.J.  Sexton  for  the 
European Commission (DG TRADE), April 2005  

The  category  “professionals  with  work  permits”  can  in  most  cases  be  equated  with  “highly 
skilled”.  Thus,  the  table  above  gives  an  indication  of  the  minimum  number  of  people 
(estimation  of  74,300  for  EU25)  who  could  be  covered  by  a  scheme  for  the  admission  of 
highly skilled workers. 

EN 

27 

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Table  5:  Examples  of  regularisations  in  EU  Member  States  (data  from  regularisation 
campaigns) 

Greece 

Italy 

France 

Spain 

Year 
1998—White card 
Green card 
2001 

Number of applicants  Number regularised 

370,000 
228,000 
368,000 

370,000 
220,000 
228,000 

1986-1987 
1990 
1995-96 
1998-99 
2002 

1981-82 
1997-98 

1985-86 
1991 
1996 
2000 
2001 
2005 

Year 

Number of applicants  Number regularized 

256,000 
308,000 
700,000 

118,700 
235,000 
238,000 
193,200 
634,700 

Year 

Number regularised 
121,100 
77,800 

Year 

Number of applicants  Number regularised 

44,000 
135,393 
25,000 
247,598 
350,000 
690,679 

23,000 
109,135 
21,300 
153,463 
221,083 
500,000 (estimated) 

Portugal 

1992-93 
1996 
2001 

Year 

Number of applicants  Number regularised 

80,000 
35,000 

38,364 
31,000 
170,000 

Source:  The  Regularisation  of  Unauthorized  Migrants:  Literature  Survey  and  Country  Case  Studies.  Amanda  Levinson, 
Centre on Migration, Policy and Society, University of Oxford 2005. 

3,703,845  persons  have  been  regularised  in  these  five  EU  countries  since  the  early  1980s. 
This does not necessarily concern an equal number of irregular migrants, as the same person 
may  have  been  subject  to  different  regularisation  procedures  (if  after  a  period  of  time  the 
person  has  fallen  once  again  in  irregularity).  Other  EU  countries  have  also  used 
regularisations  in  the  past.  Regularisation  figures  point  to  a  fundamental  dysfunction  in  the 
system for admission of migrants in many EU Member States: Migrants enter irregularly to 
fill the gaps in the labour market because legal ways to do so are very limited and ineffective. 
Usually, irregular migrants work in the ‘hidden’ economy, as evidenced by the latest Spanish 
regularisation campaign. 

EN 

28 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
These are estimates provided by non-official EU sources. The Commission is aware that there 
is a need for comprehensive and reliable data in the field of immigration and asylum. In order 
to  dispose  of  comparable  and  reliable  data,  and  to  foster  information  sharing  and  policy 
debate within the Member States of the EU in immigration and asylum issues, it has recently 
put forward in particular two proposals for legislation: 

(1) 

(2) 

Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  on  the  establishment  of  a  mutual  information 
procedure  concerning  Member  States’  measures  in  the  areas  of  asylum  and 
immigration, COM(2005)480 final; 

Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on 
Community statistics on migration and international protection, COM(2005)375 final. 

EN 

29 

   EN