Uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals

PURPOSE: to establish a new uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2017/1954 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2017 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals.

CONTENT: this Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 establishes a new uniform template for the residence permit in order to improve its security features so as to prevent forgery. The current uniform format for residence permits, which has been used for 20 years, is considered to be compromised in view of serious incidents of counterfeiting and fraud.

The Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 is replaced by a new technical annex containing the images and text of the new residence permit.

Third-country nationals who hold a valid residence permit drawn up in the uniform format issued by one of the Member States which apply the Schengen acquis in full have the right to move freely for up to 90 days within the Schengen area, provided that they fulfil the entry conditions referred to in the Regulation establishing the Schengen Borders Code.

In addition, in order to enable the competent authorities to identify third-country nationals who may benefit from those specific mobility rights, it is important that those residence permits clearly display the relevant entries, such as ‘researcher’, ‘student’ or ‘ICT - intra corporate transfer’ in accordance with the relevant Union legislation.

The United Kingdom and Ireland are not bound by this regulation. Denmark shall decide, within six months of the Council Decision on this Regulation, whether it transposes it into its national law.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 21.11.2017.

Member States shall apply the Regulation no later than 15 months after the adoption of the additional technical specifications in the Annex to amended Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002.