Background:

Poland is analyzing the possibility of making changes to national law regarding fees paid by third-country nationals for being granted residence permits. Currently, under Polish law, a third-country national who applies for a residence permit is required to pay two fees – a stamp duty and an administrative fee.

The Estonian Contact Point to the EMN launched this ad hoc query to have a better view of types and amounts of fees requested in this area by EMN Member and Observer Countries.

Respondents:

22 EMN Member Countries (including BE) provided a public answer to this ad hoc query.

Findings:

A preliminary analysis of the results of the ad hoc query shows that:

The responding EMN Member and Observer Countries charge third-country nationals different types of fees:

• The majority of responding EMN Member and Observer Countries charge third-country nationals a fee (“submission fee”, “application fee”, “contribution fee”…) when applying for a permit. While these fees are not claimable when a residence permit is refused in some countries, they are refundable in others (like PL).
   
• Some EMN Member Countries charge third-country nationals a fee ("issuance fee", "delivery fee"...) only when being granted or issued a residence permit. For example, LU states that the fee is only for the issuance of the residence permit and that the administrative procedure is free of charge.
   
• The remaining responding EMN Member Countries (AT, BE, SI, SK) charge third-country nationals a fee a first time for the administrative procedure, and a second time in case of a positive outcome of the procedure, for the granting or issuance of the residence permit (e.g. price of the residence permit card).  

The responding EMN Member and Observer Countries charge third-country nationals different amounts of fees:

• In the majority of EMN Member and Observer Countries, the amount of the fees depends on the type of residence permit being applied for, granted, or issued, the category of applicant (exemptions), and whether it is a first application or a renewal of a residence permit.
   
• In BE, the issuance fee is determined by the Federal Public Service Home Affairs. But most municipalities levy a tax on this fee. The price for the issuance of a residence card can defer from one municipality to another, because the taxes that municipalities levy can defer from one municipality to another.

For further details, please read the compilation of answers attached above.