The report indicates that employment accounted for 31.9% of all first residence permits (1.1 million), a notable decrease of 12.2% compared with 2023. Family reasons represented 27.1% (950.600 permits), down 6.5%, while permits issued for other reasons, including international protection, accounted for 25.3% (886.300), a fall of 10.0%. By contrast, education-related permits rose by 0.8% to 549.400. The largest absolute numbers of first residence permits were granted to citizens of Ukraine (295.600), India (192.400) and Morocco (188.400).

Spain (561.640 permits), Germany (544.987), Poland (488.846), Italy (346.411) and France (342.208) issued the highest numbers overall, together accounting for over 65% of all permits in the EU. Relative decreases were most pronounced in Estonia (-42.5%), Malta (-29.8%) and Poland (-23.9%), while Greece (+24.0%) and Cyprus (+16.1%) recorded the highest relative increases. Belgium issued 78.828 first residence permits in 2024, placing it among the EU countries with mid-range absolute numbers. Family-related reasons were the most common reason for issuing permits in Belgium, accounting for 45.7% of all first permits issued.

The report further shows that reasons for migration varied by nationality. Employment was the primary reason for Ukrainians (72.5%), Belarusians (55.2%) and Indians (43.9%), while family reasons predominated for Moroccans (46.6%), Colombians (44.8%) and Turkish nationals (35.4%). Education was the main reason for Chinese nationals (34.1%), and other reasons, including international protection, were most common for Afghans (85.4%), Syrians (79%) and Bangladeshis (40.8%). The principal destination countries also reflected geographical, historical and linguistic ties: Poland was the main destination for Ukrainians and Belarusians, Spain for Moroccans and Colombians, Germany for Indians, Syrians, Turks and Afghans, and Italy for Bangladeshis.

For further details, please read the press release and consult the Statistics explained section.